Why Gaston (not Frollo) is the Most Realistic Disney Villain

Being a big Disney fan, I’ve seen a lot of Disney films and I’ve seen a lot of fan discussions about the Top Tens of Disney characters. Top Ten Heroines, Top Ten Villains, Top Ten Songs, etc. Claude Frollo from “Hunchback of Notre Dame” is often listed in the Top Ten Disney Villains lists. He is one of the most popular Disney villains, for a number of reasons. One reason is because of the sheer depravity of his actions in the film, especially by Disney standards. Another reason, however, is because many people find him the most relatable and most human of the Disney villains. I’ve seen many people argue that one of the reasons why Frollo is so frightening is because he’s self-righteous; he honestly believes that he’s justified and right to do the horrible things that he does. His crowning moment of despair and passion in the film, the powerful song “Hellfire,” doesn’t feature him crowing about how evil he is, but about how he’s torn between his prejudices and his lust for Esmeralda. For this reason, many people think that he’s the most realistic Disney Villain.

I, however, would have to respectfully disagree. I believe that there is another villain who is more realistic than Frollo. He may not be as frightening and creepy, but I think that’s a key to his realism. I am speaking about Gaston, from “Beauty and the Beast” and I believe that not only is he a realistic Disney villain, but an underrated one, for the same reasons.

( "There's no man in town as admired as you/You're everyone's favorite guy..." )