This does seem to be one of the new theme in literature. The bad guys are just misunderstood would be heroes. Don't have to take responsibility for ones actions if all those actions are due to uncontrollable circumstances. taps forehead Take your cake and eat it too.

I think Wicked was one of the early purveyors of this trope (in thr modern era... I cant speak to older lit), which was also heavily monetized by Disney in several projects, notably Once Upon a Time.

This does seem to be one of the new theme in literature. The bad guys are just misunderstood heroes. Dont have to take responsibility for ones actions if all those actions are due to uncontrollable circumstances. taps forehead Take your cake and eat it too.