Large Ham/Literature: Difference between revisions

* Also by Thomas Mann: Alois Permaneder, the Bavarian in ''Buddenbrooks''.

* Nicholas van Rijn, interstellar entrepreneur in [[Poul Anderson]]'s [[Technic History]] stories. If these were made into movies, he'd have to be played by [[Brian Blessed]]. He talks and acts Big Ham, certainly, but is also large and fat, just so you don't miss the point.

* Archchancellor Ridcully, wizard of wizards in the ''[[Discworld]]'' series is also another candidate to be played by [[Brian Blessed]] in any live-action adaptation, although in the ''Hogfather'' movie they went with Joss Ackland.

** This trope is given a rather amusing nod in "Wyrd Sisters" when Granny visits the theater. While investigating the relative reality of theater, she catches a luckless former corpse backstage, still very much alive, and eating a ''ham sandwich.''

** Mr. Boggis is in danger of being killed by the god of Over-Acting in ''Thud!''.

** Let's not forget Wolfgang from ''The Fifth Elephant''. May be justified in his case, he is a werewolf who cares little for human culture or normalcy. His personality may be based on the speaking version of an annoying, constantly barking dog.

* There's one in the [[Jane Austen]] novel ''Pride and Prejudice'' - Lady Catherine du Burgh in any incarnation, but especially as played by Dame Judi Dench in the film version.

* [[Ciaphas Cain]], '''[[Fake Ultimate Hero|HERO OF THE IMPERIUM]]''' is actually a [[Deconstructed Trope|deconstruction]] of the [[Large Ham]]. He puts on one ''hell'' of a show for the average Imperial citizen, in reality, he just wants to get away from it all. He privately admits that he's ''never'' averse to being the center of attention when it doesn't involve incoming fire.

** However, during his confrontation with a Chaos Warmaster (being recorded by said Warmaster and broadcast to the entire planet), he says he has no problem hamming it up.

** It's fairly understated, but Draco Malfoy always gives the impression of playing to the crowd whenever he's taunting Harry, especially when he's described as drawling (which is fairly often). And Snape gets in on the act too, with his introductory speeches to Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts, or when he gets ''really'' angry and starts to rival Harry's own infamous love affair with CAPSLOCK. Then there's Voldemort's love of dramatic, long speeches (in a high-pitched voice this troper cannot help but hear as Starscream's)... apparently the Slytherin qualities are cunning and [[Incredibly Lame Pun|hambition]].

** [http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Garik_Loran Face Loran] is a former child star turned X-Wing pilot, and is a past master as unleashing the right amount of ham in the right place at the right time. His hamminess got him a [[Crowning Moment of Awesome]] / [[Crowning Moment of Funny|Funny]] when he had to [[False-Flag Operation|impersonate]] ''another'' [[Large Ham]], [[Small Name, Big Ego|Captain Darillian]].

** Viserys Targaryen: I AM THE BLOOD OF THE DRAGON! I'M THE DRAGON!

** HODORHODORHODORHODORHODORHODORHODOR!

** Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne would like you to admit that you murdered his sister ''EEEEEEEEEEELIAAAAAAAAAAAA!''

*** King Balon Greyjoy, Iron King of the Isles and the North, Lord-Reaper of Pyke, Son of the Sea Wind and King of Salt and Rock

*** King Robert I Baratheon, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm

** "[[Third Person Person|STRONG BELWAS]] NEEDS [[Trademark Favorite Food|LIVER AND ONIONS]]!"

* [[Honor Harrington|Anton Zilwicki]] is usually somewhat [[The Stoic|stoic]], but he has his moments.

* [[Soon I Will Be Invincible|Doctor Impossible]], when he's in [[Mad Scientist]] mode. Leads to some amusing scenes where he seems visibly annoyed that the heroes are forcing him to put on his game face and rant when he'd rather [[Villains Out Shopping|kick back and relax with a latte]].

* Professor Challenger in ''The Lost World''.

* Spiro in ''[[My Family and Other Animals]]'', it helps also that he was played by [[Brian Blessed]].

* [[Hank the Cowdog]] is this most of the time. He loves showing off his supposedly amazing charm, bravery, and intellect whenever he gets the chance.

* Commissar Ibram Gaunt in the Gaunt's Ghosts novels does this all the time. He leads from the front and when inspiring his troops he usually yells "MEN OF TANITH!! DO YOU WANT TO LIVE FOREVER!!"

* [[Ambadassador]] Varg from [[Codex Alera]] has his moments

* In ''[[Death Star]]'', Admiral Motti has a hammy [[Oh Crap]] when he realizes the title battle station is about to blow.

* In ''[[The Dresden Files]]'' novel ''Small Favor'', Harry hams it up when he's performing some carefully-controlled magic in front of a group of [[Muggles]] while evil faeries are assaulting the room they're in. Immediately afterward, [[Knight in Shining Armor|Michael]] switches the ham up when he breaks down the door, and his holy sword ''Ammorachius'' erupts in white light so bright it blinds everyone watching and disintegrates the light-sensitive faeries while screaming a prayer to God in Latin that is literally being channeled from Heaven.

** In other words, [[Incredibly Lame Pun|Heavenly Ham.]]

** In ''Turn Coat'', [[Big Friendly Dog]] Mouse loads on the ham when he takes a bullet for Molly due to her poor judgment, and she has to dig it out and clean the wound. The entire time he makes pitiful whines at the slightest touch, and treats the wound as something terrible and debilitating. When Molly is done and has to leave, Mouse promptly springs back up, apparently completely fine. Even Harry is impressed that Mouse was smart enough to deliberately ham things up to drive home the point to Molly.

** ''Changes'' has a moment where {{spoiler|Murphy}} is apparently channeling the voice of the [[Archangel Michael]] as she pronounces heavenly doom upon the Red Court.

* Tigerstar and Brokenstar, main villains from ''[[Warrior Cats]]'' both qualify. It helps that there's a meeting every month where they can give hammy speeches, but when they {{spoiler|die and go to the Dark Forest}}, they feel obliged to hold these meetings, just so their trainees know that a ham is in charge.

* Snowball and Squealer from ''[[Animal Farm]]''. Fitting, because they are not only pigs, but based off Trotsky and Molotov, respectively