Flaming Devil



Want to demonstrate that your villain is undeniably Chaotic Evil but also has a flair for the (melo)dramatic or a knack for classically decadent self-indulgence? Make him a Flaming Devil!

Simply put, the Flaming Devil is a representation of Satan with Camp Gay characteristics. While this type of villain may not be a demonstrable Depraved Homosexual, the implication is always clear. Whether or not he's particularly successful at villainy is irrelevant—in fact, he may even be Affably Evil—as long as he's effeminate and wicked.

The origins of this trope are Older Than Steam. Epicene depictions of Satan date back to the Middle Ages, in which folklore often described the Devil and his minions as having Ambiguous Genders and tempting men sexually. The homosexual implications in Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus and overtly gay Mephistopheles in Goethe's Faust eventually codified the image of a gleefully evil and flamboyantly effeminate devil.

While this trope carries its own Unfortunate Implications (conflating effeminacy and/or homosexuality with evil), the Flaming Devil almost never appears in works meant to be taken seriously and is rarely the subject of audience complaints.

Not necessarily related to Horny Devils. See also Sissy Villain. Though it is possible that they could overlap, the or a devil appearing Wreathed in Flames is a different trope.

Anime and Manga

 * Daiou-sama from Dororon Enma-kun might count.

Film

 * When K. Gordon Murray's Santa Claus turned up on Mystery Science Theater 3000, Crow characterized the demon Pitch this way. "I'm, like, poth-itively evil!"
 * Boris Lermontov in the 1948 film The Red Shoes is strongly implied to be Satan in human form. As with nearly the entire cast of the movie, he's also implied to be gay.
 * Hades from Disney's Hercules is a variation on the trope, especially since he's portrayed as analogous to Satan. The Nostalgia Chick called him "Meg's bitchy gay boyfriend" in her review of the movie.
 * The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat had Fritz end up in hell. Upon encountering the devil, who seems like a cross between Big Gay Al and Vincent Price, he lets out, "Oh, Jesus Christ, Lucifer is a faggot!"

Literature

 * Goethe's interpretation of Faust includes an openly gay Mephistopheles, possibly the Trope Codifier.

Live-Action TV

 * While not Camp Gay per se, on Reaper, Satan is a Depraved Bisexual. He actually used to be in love with God.

Music

 * Bo Burnham's Sunday School has the lyric "Did you know Satan wears a cape made out of a rainbow flag?"

New Media

 * Although not precisely a work of fiction, this anecdote is one of the most amazing examples of the trope, featuring Bill Cosby and Samuel Jackson.

Video Games

 * The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword: Though actually the resident Satan Expy's servant, Demon Lord Ghirahim pushes Ambiguously Gay to the breaking point. The hair, the outfit, the Guyliner and white lipstick, the tongue-action, the uncomfortable body language, certain lines like "[that] filled my heart with rainbows", claiming that he and Link are tied by the Red String of Fate... Hoo boy...

Western Animation

 * Him in The Powerpuff Girls.
 * The Red Guy in Cow and Chicken.
 * The Robot Devil in Futurama tortures Bender with musical theater when they first meet and is typified by his flamboyant mannerisms.
 * He also goes Disguised in Drag in the season 6 episode Ghost in the Machines.
 * Satan is presented in this way in South Park, notably in the movie version where his gay relationship with Saddam Hussein is a major sub-plot.
 * Somewhat of a subversion, considering he's actually pretty nice, and only actively tortures those that deserve it.