Sycophantic Servant: Difference between revisions

{{worktrope}}

Formerly [[Trope Namer|named after Renfield]] from ''[[Dracula (novel)|Dracula]]'', the [['''Sycophantic Servant]]''' is a worshipful, perfectly willing slave of the [[Big Bad]]. Generally he's of only marginal usefulness, due to his incompetence and/or obsessions.<ref>The former [[Trope Namer]] is [[Unbuilt Trope|not actually a full example in the original book]]; he's Dracula's slave, yes, but unwillingly so, and actually tries to betray his master. Later adaptations ignored this, however, so we have the trope as it currently exists.</ref>

Contrast with the [[Battle Butler]] and [[Yes-Man]]. Sometimes overlaps with [[Lickspittle]], [[Crusty Caretaker]] and [[Professional Butt-Kisser]]. If the character endures endless abuse at the hands of their master, then they're a [[Bumbling Sidekick]]. Just about the polar opposite of [[The Starscream]]. See also [[Transhuman Treachery]].

* In Part 3 of ''[[Jo JoJoJo's Bizarre Adventure|Jo Jos Bizarre Adventure]]'', Vanilla Ice, the [[Sycophantic Servant]] of Big Bad Dio, does manage to kill off two of the main cast.

* The Chevaliers in ''[[Blood Plus+]]'', particularly those belonging to Diva, are [[The Dragon|unique]] [[Battle Butler|subversions]] of this trope. The transformation into a chevalier inspires genuine devotion for the Chevalier's parent chiropteran, but Chevaliers have free will enough to both go against a Chiropteran's commands and/or [[The Chessmaster|manipulate a Chiropteran for the Chevalier's own ends]]. The exceptions to this rule are implied [[Love Makes You Crazy|to be insane]].

* The [[Red Shirt]] scientist Barnes is one of these to [[Mad Scientist|Szilard Quates]] of ''[[Baccano!]]'', to the point that he's honored to be [[You Will Be Assimilated|assimilated]] by his master.

* In the [[Marvel Universe]],* Toad lived down to his name in this manner for Magneto for much of the original 1960s ''[[X-Men (Comic Book)|X-Men]]'' run.

* Probably the most famous portrayal of the characterRenfield is [[Dwight Frye]] in the [[Dracula (1931 film)|1931 film]]. Indeed, Frye's Renfield is more in keeping with the trope than the character's depiction in the original novel.

* In the Disney film, ''[[The Black Cauldron]]'', the [[Sycophantic Servant]] was the Horned King's goblin sidekick, Creeper. Note that in [[Prydain Chronicles|the book]], this character did not exist.

* The only character to come out of ''[[Manos: The Hands of Fate|"Manos" The Hands of Fate]]'' with any pop cultural significance at all is Torgo, the villain's acid-crazed satyr [[Crusty Caretaker|janitor]] of marginal loyalty.

* Peter MacNichol has played two [[Sycophantic Servant|Sycophantic Servants]]: Janosz in ''[[Ghostbusters]] 2'' as a straight example, and Renfield himself in ''[[Dracula: Dead and Loving It]]''.

** Fife in ''[[Beauty and Thethe Beast: The Enchanted Christmas]]''

*** Curiously, the Disney adaption of ''[[The Jungle Book (Disney film)|The Jungle Book]]'' is lacking Shere Khan's [[Sycophantic Servant]], Tabaqui the Jackal.

** In the book on which the film was based, his motivation was a paedophile's lust for and fascination with an unchanging child; the author of the book, in the course of writing the screenplay, dropped this sub-plot as being one too many and far too squicky[[squick]]y.

* [[Tom Waits]]'s character in ''[[Bram Stoker's Dracula|Bram Stokers Dracula]]''.

* In [[Stephen King]]'s vampire novel '''[['Salem's Lot]]'', Mr. Straker serves in this role, but subverts it in that he is quite capable as the vampire's daytime operative.

* The vampires in Patricia Briggs's ''[[Mercy Thomas]]'' novels have "sheep" - people who are kept on hand as walking meals - whose [[Sycophantic Servant]]-ness varies depending on how the vampire treats them. They all become increasingly subservient to and dependent on the vampire after repeated feedings. If there are enough sheep to keep the feedings infrequent, then the people can stay healthy indefinitely, and there are some benefits (such as cancers being kept in remission), which logically explains why some of them are quite happy with their lot. Stefan, the most sympathetic vampire, does this on purpose, seeking out potential sheep who need a safe haven or medical help. Eventually, the vampire may decide to "turn" a sheep, but this isn't always possible.

* In the ''[[Sword of Truth]]'' universe, this is essentially what happens to anyone who gets confessed -- theyconfessed—they are made completely, unconditionally loyal to their Confessor, to the point where they no longer have any sense of self.

** Also in that season, the [[Big Bad]] Glory evidently had an entire species of [[Sycophantic Servant]] demons enthralled.

* True to the original, the [[Sycophantic Servant]] in ''[[Dark Shadows (TV series)|Dark Shadows]]'' - Willie Loomis - was also an unwilling servant who couldn't quite overcome [[Friendly Neighborhood Vampires|his master's unnatural charisma]].

* The [[Sycophantic Servant]] in ''[[Young Dracula]]'' is actually named Renfield. His grandfather is brought back from the dead in one episode, very angry about not being transformed into a vampire as was promised, meaning that the Draculas have managed to keep multiple generations serving them with this promise they have no intention of fulfilling.

* The Weasel-like Tim Stamper from ''[[House of Cards (British series)]]'' is Francis Urquhart's [[Sycophantic Servant]]. Subverted in that in the sequel ''To Play the King'' he attempts to double-cross his boss after feeling his efforts aren't appreciated. Sadly for Tim, Francis is far and away the more [[Magnificent Bastard]] of the two.

* ''[[Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines]]'' features several, in the form of the ghouls. Knox Harrington (a reference to Knock of ''Nosferatu''), [[Ascended Fanboy|a hyperactive fanboy]] was recruited by the Nosferatu agent Betram Tung, mainly because he was [[We Need a Distraction|able to divert attention away from Betram's less palatable schemes]]. Vandal Cleaver is Therese Voerman's ghoul and works the desk at the local blood bank, selling to vampires; unusually for a [[Sycophantic Servant]], Vandal is [[Sarcastic Devotee]], bitter (referring to his master as "the Queen Bitch,") and actually quite dangerous to humans, though he's too cowardly to attack a vampire and can easily be intimidated by the PC. Romero, Isaac's ghoul, lives in a cemetery in Hollywood and isn't even allowed to take a break for five minutes to seek out human contact, but is completely content so long as he gets to shoot zombies. Then there's Mercurio, who is totally dedicated to [[La Croix]]LaCroix, but is very much aware that this is because of the ghouling process, and accepts the situation because there are no better options.

{{quote| "Just so you understand, my loyalties are all but written in blood, so my opinion of the guy is moot."}}

** The player character can get a [[Sycophantic Servant]] of their own, if they feel so inclined (and choose the right dialogue options early on); if you learn about ghouling from Mercurio or Knox, you can use your blood to save and enslave Heather, the woman in the hospital who was hit by a car. No matter how badly you treat her, she stays devoted to you, bringing you fresh prey, a useful item, and even trying to give you her college fund. {{spoiler|If you don't get rid of her, she'll get killed by your enemies}}.

* On the animated series ''[[Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light]]'', Mordred played the [[Sycophantic Servant]] role to Darkstorm, leader of the show's villains.

* Lugnut of ''[[Transformers Animated]]'' is a borderline case, though it's more fanaticism than slavishness: in some episodes he seems to practically worship Megatron... and in others, there's no "practically" about it. He's also more [[Badass]] than most [[Sycophantic Servant]], ever ready to use his [[Macross Missile Massacre|hundreds of missiles]], his [[Drop the Hammer|warhammer]], and [[Rocket Punch|The Punch]] [[Fan Nickname|of Kill]] [[Sure Why Not|Everything]] to level Autobots (and the entire city block they happen to be in) in the name of '''the grand and glorious MEGATRON!'''

{{quote| I WILL NOT HIDE! I WILL STAND PROUDLY AND '''SHOUT MEGATRON'S NAME TO THE HEAVENS!'''}}

* In G1 ''[[Transformers]]'', Cyclonus is Galvatron's [[Sycophantic Servant]]. His exact level of competence is plot-reliant, but generally he's described as quite powerful and skilled--heskilled—he could even lead the Decepticons if he weren't so devoted to Galvatron.

* In ''[[Re BootReBoot]]'', Smiley is thisthe Sycophantic Servant to [[Magnificent Bastard|Megabyte]].

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