The Hedonist: Difference between revisions

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While usually [[Played for Laughs]], this kind of character is sometimes played as a [[Strawman Political]] against [[Ethical Hedonism|Ethical Hedonists]] or people with a [[Ethical Slut|Hedonistic Lifestyle]]. Unlike these real hedonists, a childishly hedonistic character is not prone to consider other people’s happiness, or even his own long-term happiness: Instant gratification is gold. If it feels good right now, do it! Why waste time on thinking? Thinking isn’t fun! [[Manipulative Bastard|Unless]] you are thinking about how to get what you want as quickly and effortlessly as possible, that is.
While usually [[Played for Laughs]], this kind of character is sometimes played as a [[Strawman Political]] against [[Ethical Hedonism|Ethical Hedonists]] or people with a [[Ethical Slut|Hedonistic Lifestyle]]. Unlike these real hedonists, a childishly hedonistic character is not prone to consider other people’s happiness, or even his own long-term happiness: Instant gratification is gold. If it feels good right now, do it! Why waste time on thinking? Thinking isn’t fun! [[Manipulative Bastard|Unless]] you are thinking about how to get what you want as quickly and effortlessly as possible, that is.


It's original to compare this general viewpoint to the original hedonists, who believed you should basically do the opposite; true happiness is the opposite of desires, which cause pain. So you shouldn't do anything you really want. You can imagine any of the characters on this page laughing ruthlessly at the idea.
It's original to compare this general viewpoint to the original hedonists, who believed you should basically do the opposite; true happiness is the opposite of desires, which cause pain. So you shouldn't do anything you really want. You can imagine any of the characters on this page laughing ruthlessly at the idea.


Compare [[Protagonist-Centered Morality]] (for this trope played sympathetically). [[For Happiness]] is another related trope.
Compare [[Protagonist-Centered Morality]] (for this trope played sympathetically). [[For Happiness]] is another related trope.
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* [[Bottle Fairy|Nikki]], the protagonist's mother in ''The Rules of Survival,'' is this to a really, ''really'' unhealthy degree.
* [[Bottle Fairy|Nikki]], the protagonist's mother in ''The Rules of Survival,'' is this to a really, ''really'' unhealthy degree.
* Graendal of ''[[The Wheel of Time]]'' was formerly an extreme ascetic type who embraced hedonism as part of a [[Faith Heel Turn]] when she realized that no-one else could live up to her ridiculously high standards- in other words, she's a hedonist out of spite. The other part of her turn was joining the forces of Evil and becoming a member of its elite [[Standard Evil Organization Squad]] seeking to bring about [[The End of the World as We Know It]], so naturally her hedonism consists of being a [[Jerkass]] [[Depraved Bisexual]] and [[Manipulative Bitch]] who enjoys screwing with and killing people [[For the Evulz]].
* Graendal of ''[[The Wheel of Time]]'' was formerly an extreme ascetic type who embraced hedonism as part of a [[Faith Heel Turn]] when she realized that no-one else could live up to her ridiculously high standards- in other words, she's a hedonist out of spite. The other part of her turn was joining the forces of Evil and becoming a member of its elite [[Standard Evil Organization Squad]] seeking to bring about [[The End of the World as We Know It]], so naturally her hedonism consists of being a [[Jerkass]] [[Depraved Bisexual]] and [[Manipulative Bitch]] who enjoys screwing with and killing people [[For the Evulz]].
* [[Don Quixote]]: At the first part of the novel, Don Quixote is a [[Lord Error-Prone]] who only cares about living his [[Chivalric Romance]] fantasies, [[Victimized Bystander|no matter who else pays for it]]. The second part he evolves to a [[For Happiness]] motivation.
* [[Don Quixote]]: At the first part of the novel, Don Quixote is a [[Lord Error-Prone]] who only cares about living his [[Chivalric Romance]] fantasies, [[Victimized Bystander|no matter who else pays for it]]. The second part he evolves to a [[For Happiness]] motivation.




== Live Action ==
== Live Action ==
* Maryann on ''[[True Blood]]''
* Maryann on ''[[True Blood]]''
* One key difference between Faith and [[Buffy]] was this. Faith lived life every second like she wanted to... and when accidents happened (like the murder of an innocent) that knocked Buffy for a loop, she merely "took care of the body" and went on as if nothing happened.
* One key difference between Faith and [[Buffy]] was this. Faith lived life every second like she wanted to... and when accidents happened (like the murder of an innocent) that knocked Buffy for a loop, she merely "took care of the body" and went on as if nothing happened.
** Except she was obviously feeling guilty as hell. And while she clearly enjoyed being able to do what she wanted, when she wanted, what she truly desired was a life more like Buffy's and, if she couldn't have that, make Buffy become more like her to ease the jealousy.
** Except she was obviously feeling guilty as hell. And while she clearly enjoyed being able to do what she wanted, when she wanted, what she truly desired was a life more like Buffy's and, if she couldn't have that, make Buffy become more like her to ease the jealousy.
** Early Faith is a Nietzschean, not a Hedonist. Being a Slayer (she thinks) means you are [[Above Good and Evil]] and can do whatever you want. Saving x lives means you can kill any number of people less than x, since you will still be in the plus column.
** Early Faith is a Nietzschean, not a Hedonist. Being a Slayer (she thinks) means you are [[Above Good and Evil]] and can do whatever you want. Saving x lives means you can kill any number of people less than x, since you will still be in the plus column.
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== Theatre ==
== Theatre ==
* Fiyero in the musical ''[[Wicked (theatre)|Wicked]]'': "Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters... It's just life, so keep dancing through!"
* Fiyero in the musical ''[[Wicked (theatre)|Wicked]]'': "Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters... It's just life, so keep dancing through!"
** Well, at least until he goes through some massive [[Character Development]] and some of his frivolous comments and beliefs become painfully ironic.
** Well, at least until he goes through some massive [[Character Development]] and some of his frivolous comments and beliefs become painfully ironic.
* Val in ''Babes in Arms'' declares himself to be this (although whether he remains so is unclear, since his ideologies shift constantly).
* Val in ''Babes in Arms'' declares himself to be this (although whether he remains so is unclear, since his ideologies shift constantly).
* In [[Antony and Cleopatra]], this trait is shared by the Egyptians. Antony has also adopted the tendency due to being in Egypt for so long.
* In [[Antony and Cleopatra]], this trait is shared by the Egyptians. Antony has also adopted the tendency due to being in Egypt for so long.
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* Shannon of [[God Hand]]. Her search for pleasure is never-ending and often involves [[This Is My Human|mortal men being used as her "toys".]]
* Shannon of [[God Hand]]. Her search for pleasure is never-ending and often involves [[This Is My Human|mortal men being used as her "toys".]]
* Isabela from ''[[Dragon Age II]]'' seems to live for three things: the thrill of adventure, alcohol, and sexual gratification (from men and women both).
* Isabela from ''[[Dragon Age II]]'' seems to live for three things: the thrill of adventure, alcohol, and sexual gratification (from men and women both).
* After only getting two or so scenes in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'', Demyx was somewhat fleshed out as this is ''[[Kingdom Hearts: 358 Days Over 2|Kingdom Hearts 358 Days Over 2]]''. He's more interested in writing songs than following orders, and isn't above bribing Roxas to finish his missions for him.
* After only getting two or so scenes in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'', Demyx was somewhat fleshed out as this is ''[[Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days|Kingdom Hearts 358 Days Over 2]]''. He's more interested in writing songs than following orders, and isn't above bribing Roxas to finish his missions for him.
* [[Drunken Master|Suika Ibuki]] from Touhou, who has never been seen sober for ''centuries''. Most other characters in Touhou also have various [[Mr. Vice Guy|vices]] that they indulge in. It helps that the majority of them [[Youkai|aren't human]].
* [[Drunken Master|Suika Ibuki]] from Touhou, who has never been seen sober for ''centuries''. Most other characters in Touhou also have various [[Mr. Vice Guy|vices]] that they indulge in. It helps that the majority of them [[Youkai|aren't human]].
** Special mention goes for Ms. Hinanawi Tenshi, who [[For the Evulz|wreaks havoc for the sake of getting into the emotional height]], something that her people lacks.
** Special mention goes for Ms. Hinanawi Tenshi, who [[For the Evulz|wreaks havoc for the sake of getting into the emotional height]], something that her people lacks.
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** Your tax dollars at work!
** Your tax dollars at work!
* Beezy on ''[[Jimmy Two-Shoes]]'' lives his life basically eating, sleeping, hanging out with Jimmy and dating [[Crazy Awesome|Saffi]]. He seems to put his happiness first beyond anything. He's still one of the few decent people on the show.
* Beezy on ''[[Jimmy Two-Shoes]]'' lives his life basically eating, sleeping, hanging out with Jimmy and dating [[Crazy Awesome|Saffi]]. He seems to put his happiness first beyond anything. He's still one of the few decent people on the show.
* General Iroh from ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'' pretended to be very much the hedonist, much to the chagrin of his naive nephew who refused to see that the evil empire didn't deserve their loyalty. For Iroh, life's little pleasures are more important than doing his duty... but only when his duty is actually evil, destructive or plain unworthy. Whenever he has a ''worthy'' cause to fight for, [[Jerk with a Heart of Gold|he's dedicated and self-sacrificing if needed]].
* General Iroh from ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'' pretended to be very much the hedonist, much to the chagrin of his naive nephew who refused to see that the evil empire didn't deserve their loyalty. For Iroh, life's little pleasures are more important than doing his duty... but only when his duty is actually evil, destructive or plain unworthy. Whenever he has a ''worthy'' cause to fight for, [[Jerk with a Heart of Gold|he's dedicated and self-sacrificing if needed]].
* The [[Time Squad|Larry 3000]] seems to split being [[The Spock]] and [[The Hedonist]] about 50/50. He gives a good show of being uptight and prissy, and the casual viewer might mistake him for being the [[Only Sane Man]] to Tuddrussel's [[Boisterous Bruiser]], but truthfully the a nice chunk of the mission hang-ups happen as a result of him getting distracted and siding with whomever is messing up history if they promise more fun than fixing it would.
* The [[Time Squad|Larry 3000]] seems to split being [[The Spock]] and [[The Hedonist]] about 50/50. He gives a good show of being uptight and prissy, and the casual viewer might mistake him for being the [[Only Sane Man]] to Tuddrussel's [[Boisterous Bruiser]], but truthfully the a nice chunk of the mission hang-ups happen as a result of him getting distracted and siding with whomever is messing up history if they promise more fun than fixing it would.


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