These Are The Absolute Worst Male Protagonists In Novels

Unfortunately, even the fictional realm isn't spared from the clutches of toxic masculinity, mansplaining, and unencumbered male privilege. Pretty much every medium is loaded with horrible male protagonists, and classic literature is no exception.

Tons of famous novels center on manipulative characters of all genders, proving that one's identity has no bearing on their ability to be awful. However, some literary men just seem irredeemable. 

The worst men in literature can be predatory or self-serving, and most of them are wholly oblivious. Despite this, the novels they're featured in tend to be world-renowned, and rarely do the offenders receive any comeuppance.