I remember being a kid, huddled on the worn carpet in front of our old cathode-ray TV, absolutely mesmerized by Arnold Schwarzenegger as Conan. He was big, he was strong, and he was taking down sorcerers and giant snakes. To my young mind, he was undeniably the hero. But as I grew older, and eventually delved into Robert E. Howard’s original stories, a little voice in the back of my head started whispering, “Wait a minute, is Conan the Barbarian a bad guy?” He steals, he kills, he’s not exactly a paragon of virtue. It’s a question that has sparked countless debates among fans, and for good reason. It’s not as simple as a yes or no, especially when you consider the harsh, unforgiving world he inhabits.
To answer directly and unequivocally: No, Conan the Barbarian is not inherently a “bad guy” in the conventional sense. While he operates within a brutal, often amoral world and engages in actions that would be considered villainous by modern standards, he is fundamentally an anti-hero or even a reluctant hero, driven by survival, a personal code of honor, and a deep distrust of corrupt authority and supernatural evil. He is a force of raw, untamed nature, often clashing with forces far more malevolent than himself.
Let’s peel back the layers of this iconic character and the Hyborian Age he stalks, to truly understand why labeling him a simple “bad guy” misses the mark entirely.
The Hyborian Age: A World Without Moral Absolutes
To truly understand Conan, you first have to understand his world. The Hyborian Age, as crafted by Robert E. Howard, is not Narnia or Middle-earth, brimming with clear-cut good and evil. It’s a primordial, post-cataclysmic era, brutal and beautiful in equal measure, where civilization is a thin veneer over barbarism, constantly threatening to crumble. This isn’t a place where knights in shining armor are always virtuous or where justice is neatly dispensed by a benevolent king. In fact, more often than not, kings are tyrants, priests are corrupt sorcerers, and cities are cesspools of intrigue and depravity.
Howard himself, writing in the early 20th century, was fascinated by the cyclical nature of history, the rise and fall of civilizations, and the inherent strength and vitality he perceived in “barbaric” peoples compared to what he saw as the decadent weakness of advanced societies. Conan is a direct embodiment of this philosophy. He is a Cimmerian, born and raised in a harsh, tribal land where survival of the fittest is the primary law. Concepts like universal human rights, due process, or even basic empathy as we understand them today simply don’t exist in a widespread, institutionalized way. People are enslaved, tortured, and murdered with alarming frequency by the “civilized” powers just as much as by raiders.
In this milieu, a character like Conan, who kills, steals, and often acts out of self-interest, cannot be judged by the same ethical yardstick we apply to Batman or Captain America. His actions, while often violent, are frequently a response to the overwhelming brutality and deceit of the world around him. He’s a pragmatic survivor in a world where idealism usually leads to a swift, bloody end.
Conan’s Origins and The Cimmerian Code
Conan’s upbringing in the bleak, mountainous land of Cimmeria is crucial to understanding his moral compass. The Cimmerians are a war-like, stoic people, valuing strength, self-reliance, and a fierce independence above all else. They worship a dark god, Crom, who, unlike the benevolent deities of other cultures, does not care for prayers or offers of help. Crom demands strength and courage in life; he merely grants the power to fight, and the rest is up to the individual.
This worldview fundamentally shapes Conan. He learns early on that he cannot rely on gods or governments for salvation. He must forge his own destiny, and his own justice, with the strength of his own arm and the sharpness of his own wits. This isn’t nihilism; it’s a deeply ingrained self-sufficiency. While he may scoff at the organized religions of the civilized lands, he possesses a strong, albeit unwritten, code of conduct:
- Loyalty to a chosen few: Once Conan gives his word or forms a bond, he is fiercely loyal, often risking his life for those he considers friends or allies.
- Hatred of tyranny and oppression: He consistently fights against despots, corrupt priests, and anyone who seeks to enslave or exploit others. This isn’t out of altruism necessarily, but because it offends his barbarian sense of freedom and justice.
- Contempt for cowardice and weakness: He respects strength and courage, even in an enemy, and despises those who are craven or deceitful.
- Aversion to torture and needless cruelty: While he can be brutal in combat, Conan rarely engages in torture or gratuitous suffering. He dispatches his foes efficiently, and often with a measure of grim respect. His enemies, on the other hand, revel in it.
This “Cimmerian Code” may not align with modern ethical frameworks, but it provides a consistent, if harsh, moral foundation for his actions. He’s not driven by malice or a desire to inflict suffering for its own sake; he’s driven by survival, freedom, and a personal sense of justice.
Deconstructing Conan’s “Bad Guy” Actions
Let’s be frank: Conan does some things that, out of context, could easily put him in the villain category. He kills, he steals, he brawls, and he sometimes takes what he wants. But the devil, as they say, is in the details.
Acts of Violence and Theft
Conan is a warrior. His life is steeped in violence. He has been a mercenary, a pirate, a thief, and a general. He kills many people throughout his adventures. However, the vast majority of these killings are either:
- In self-defense: Many encounters involve Conan being ambushed, attacked, or facing down monsters and assassins sent by his foes.
- In open combat: On battlefields, as a mercenary, or fighting against the forces of tyrannical rulers.
- Against clear antagonists: Sorcerers, cultists, slavers, rapists, and other individuals who are demonstrably evil within the Hyborian context. He is an instrument of violent justice against true malevolence.
- As a means to an end: When raiding a city or taking treasure, his violence is often pragmatic, aimed at achieving a goal rather than wanton destruction.
Similarly, his acts of theft are often born of necessity in a world without social safety nets. He acquires wealth to survive, to equip himself for further adventures, or sometimes to fund a larger cause (like raising an army to fight a despot). He’s not hoarding gold to exploit others; he’s using it as a tool to navigate his dangerous world.
Protecting the Innocent and Battling Greater Evils
Paradoxically, for a character often seen as savage, Conan frequently finds himself defending the weak and innocent. Time and again, he stumbles into situations where he becomes the unlikely savior of damsels in distress, beleaguered villagers, or oppressed common folk. Consider some instances:
- In “The Tower of the Elephant,” he ventures into the lair of the alien Yag-kosha not just for treasure, but out of a sense of obligation to the creature, ultimately granting it a merciful end and preventing a greater evil.
- He often protects women from sorcerers, rapists, or cruel warlords, not necessarily out of chivalry, but because their suffering offends his barbarian sensibilities or they become entangled in his quest.
- He routinely confronts and defeats malevolent sorcerers, monstrous beasts, and demonic entities that threaten not just individuals, but entire regions or even the fabric of reality. These are threats that no “civilized” authority seems capable or willing to handle.
These acts underscore a fundamental truth about Conan: he might be brutal, but he is almost always fighting against something *worse*. He is a dark mirror reflecting the even darker realities of his world, often serving as the only true bulwark against absolute evil.
The Anti-Hero Archetype: Conan’s True Calling
If not a bad guy, then what is he? Conan fits perfectly into the archetype of the anti-hero. An anti-hero is a central character in a story who lacks conventional heroic attributes such as idealism, morality, and self-sacrifice. They often operate outside the law, driven by self-interest, cynicism, or a flawed moral code. Yet, despite these traits, they ultimately serve a “good” purpose within the narrative, often confronting greater evils or achieving positive outcomes that traditional heroes might fail to accomplish.
Why Conan Fits the Mold
- Self-Interest as a Driver: Conan often embarks on quests for personal gain—gold, glory, revenge, or simply the thrill of adventure. He rarely sets out to save the world. However, his pursuit of these personal goals frequently intersects with, and ultimately thwarts, the schemes of truly evil individuals or cults.
- Ambiguous Morality: He doesn’t adhere to a strict moral code of good and evil. His morality is pragmatic, based on immediate circumstances and his own barbarian sense of right and wrong, which prioritizes freedom and strength. He will take lives without remorse if provoked or if it serves his purpose, but he will also defend the defenseless.
- Disregard for Authority: Conan has a deep-seated distrust of kings, priests, and anyone in power, viewing them as inherently corrupt or weak. This anti-authoritarian streak often makes him a champion for the common people, even if he doesn’t explicitly intend to be. He disrupts oppressive regimes by his very nature.
- Flawed but Effective: He can be crude, impulsive, and sometimes ruthless. Yet, he is incredibly effective. His raw power, cunning, and primal instincts often succeed where the intricate plans of “civilized” men fail, especially when facing supernatural threats or overwhelming odds. He represents the untamed spirit of humanity, unburdened by societal artifice.
- Evolution, Not Redemption: Unlike some anti-heroes who undergo a journey of redemption, Conan largely remains true to his core Cimmerian nature. His “heroism” comes from his consistent opposition to true evil, not from transforming into a morally pure figure. He rises to kingship not by becoming less barbarian, but by embodying the best (and most formidable) aspects of it.
Literary analyses often point to Howard’s creation of Conan as a direct challenge to the often sanitized heroes of his time. Conan was meant to be visceral, real, and a stark contrast to the perceived decadence of civilization. He’s a primal force, a necessary antidote to the insidious evils that fester in the shadows of “progress.”
Examining Conan’s Morally Ambiguous Traits
Let’s dive deeper into some specific traits that often lead people to question Conan’s morality, and how they function within his character and world.
Brutality and Violence
Yes, Conan is brutal. He cleaves men in two, crushes skulls, and uses violence as his primary problem-solving tool. But his brutality is distinct from that of his foes. Conan’s violence is often direct, efficient, and lacks sadism. He doesn’t delight in torture; he uses force to achieve a goal: to survive, to defeat an enemy, or to enforce his brand of justice. His enemies, on the other hand, often revel in cruelty, ritualistic sacrifice, and protracted suffering. Conan’s brutality is a necessary weapon in a brutal world; his enemies’ brutality is born of malice and a desire for control and subjugation. The distinction, while fine, is crucial.
Greed and Materialism
Conan undoubtedly seeks treasure and wealth. He is often depicted as a thief and a mercenary motivated by gold. However, his relationship with wealth is pragmatic. He doesn’t hoard it for power, nor does he let it corrupt him. For Conan, gold is a means to an end: a way to fund his adventures, to escape dire situations, or to simply enjoy the transient pleasures of life. He spends it freely, and often loses it just as quickly as he gains it, never allowing himself to be beholden to it. He values freedom and experience over material accumulation. He will steal from the rich, especially the corrupt rich, to serve his own ends, often leaving the true villains poorer in the process.
Sexual Relations
Conan’s interactions with women, particularly in the original stories and earlier comics, are often depicted through a lens that might be considered problematic by modern standards. He is a conqueror, and women often fall for his raw power and charisma, or are simply swept up in his adventures. It’s important to view these portrayals through the context of pulp fiction from the 1930s. While there are instances that border on coercion or are depicted with a “might makes right” attitude, Howard often portrays Conan as capable of deep, if fleeting, affection and respect for strong women. He rarely abuses women and often rescues them from genuinely horrific fates at the hands of true villains. His relationships, while often passionate and fleeting, are generally consensual within the framework of the barbaric society he inhabits, and he frequently defends the women who ally with him.
Lack of Formal Religion or Morality
Conan famously scoffs at the gods and the intricate religious dogma of civilized lands. He sees them as tools of manipulation or impotent deities. This lack of formal religion might appear to make him amoral. However, as discussed, he possesses his own inherent “barbarian wisdom” and a code of conduct. He distrusts the supernatural not because he doesn’t believe in it (he constantly encounters it), but because he finds most gods and cults to be malevolent or demanding of subservience he refuses to give. He respects strength, even the strength of a god, but will never kneel. This allows him to fight against the genuinely evil cults and sorcerers who prey on the superstitious and the weak, unburdened by their dogma.
Is Conan a “Bad Guy”? A Tally of Traits
Let’s summarize Conan’s behavior to see where he truly lands on the moral spectrum:
- Engages in theft? Yes, sometimes out of necessity, opportunity, or as an act of defiance against a corrupt system. But not for pure maliciousness.
- Kills indiscriminately? No. His killings are usually in combat, self-defense, or against clear, often monstrous, antagonists. He values life when it is not a direct threat.
- Acts purely for personal gain? Often, but his personal gain frequently aligns with the defeat of greater evils or the protection of those he deems worthy.
- Enjoys cruelty? Absolutely not. He despises cruelty in others and rarely inflicts it himself, preferring a swift end to his foes.
- Seeks to dominate or oppress? No. His entire being is against subjugation. He often fights against those who seek to dominate others, even if he later becomes a king himself (a king who maintains his barbarian principles).
- Betrays allies? Rarely, if ever. He is fiercely loyal to those who earn his trust.
- Saves the innocent? Frequently, often by accident or because their plight intersects with his own, but he does so nonetheless.
- Fights against tyrannical forces? Yes, consistently throughout his career, from brigand to king.
- Possesses a code of honor? Yes, though it’s unconventional and deeply personal, emphasizing strength, freedom, and a pragmatic sense of justice.
- Causes suffering for pleasure? Never. This is a hallmark of his true adversaries.
Looking at this list, while he might not wear a cape and rescue cats from trees, he certainly doesn’t fit the profile of a “bad guy” in the vein of a Thoth-Amon or a Thulsa Doom, who revel in power, subjugation, and malicious destruction.
Conan in the Modern Lens: Reconciling Past and Present
It’s undeniable that some aspects of Conan’s character, particularly as depicted in pulp fiction of the 1930s, can clash with modern sensibilities. The portrayal of women, the casual violence, and the rugged individualism can be seen as “problematic” by contemporary ethical standards. However, it’s crucial to evaluate such characters within their historical and fictional context. Howard’s Hyborian Age was designed to be a brutal, morally grey world where survival was paramount and traditional virtues were often liabilities.
Conan’s enduring appeal lies precisely in his untamed nature, his rejection of corrupt civilization, and his raw, visceral strength. He represents a fantasy of freedom and self-reliance that resonates with many, even as we acknowledge the darker aspects of his world. He’s a character who reminds us that heroism isn’t always clean or virtuous; sometimes, it’s a grim, bloody fight against overwhelming odds, carried out by a flawed but formidable individual.
Moreover, modern adaptations of Conan, while striving to maintain his core essence, often tweak aspects to better align with current audience expectations, emphasizing his role as a protector and his begrudging sense of justice, while perhaps toning down the more overtly aggressive sexual dynamics or indiscriminate violence. Yet, even in his original form, Conan was consistently depicted as a force *against* absolute evil, rather than embodying it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Conan’s Morality
Did Robert E. Howard intend for Conan to be a hero?
Robert E. Howard’s intentions for Conan are complex, reflecting his own philosophical leanings. He didn’t envision Conan as a conventional hero, like the chivalrous knights of fantasy tropes. Instead, Howard created a character who was a “savage” force, a product of his untamed environment, often thrown against the decadence and insidious evils of “civilized” societies. Howard believed that barbarism, for all its brutality, possessed a vitality and honesty that civilization often lost through corruption and effete living. Conan embodies this idea perfectly.
So, while not a “hero” in the traditional sense of self-sacrifice and unwavering virtue, Conan was undeniably the protagonist, a powerful and often reluctant champion fighting against forces that were demonstrably more malicious and destructive than he. His actions, even when motivated by self-interest, frequently resulted in the defeat of genuine tyrants, sorcerers, and monstrous entities, making him a de facto, if unconventional, hero in the Hyborian Age.
How does Conan’s violence differ from that of his enemies?
The distinction between Conan’s violence and that of his enemies is a cornerstone of his anti-heroic status. Conan’s violence is primarily functional: it is a means to an end. He kills to survive, to win a battle, to gain freedom, or to exact vengeance for a perceived wrong. His combat is often direct, brutal, and efficient. While he is certainly capable of extreme force, he typically dispatches his foes without lingering sadism or gratuitous torture. For Conan, death in battle is an expected outcome, a part of his world.
In stark contrast, his enemies – sorcerers, cult leaders, despots, and demonic entities – frequently employ violence for psychological manipulation, ritualistic sacrifice, prolonged torture, or as a display of absolute, crushing power. Their violence is often rooted in malice, a lust for control, and a perverse enjoyment of suffering. They seek to dominate and inflict terror, whereas Conan seeks freedom and survival. This fundamental difference is key to understanding why Conan, despite his blood-soaked hands, is never truly the “bad guy.”
Is Conan a good role model?
In a literal, modern sense, no, Conan the Barbarian is not a suitable role model for contemporary society. His methods are often brutal, his personal code is far from universally applicable, and his approach to conflict resolution heavily relies on violence. Adopting his lifestyle in the 21st century would likely land one in serious legal trouble, if not worse. He exists in a fantastical, savage world where such actions are necessary for survival.
However, metaphorically, Conan embodies several traits that can be seen as admirable, even inspiring, within his narrative context. His fierce independence, his unwavering self-reliance, his distrust of corrupt authority, his resilience in the face of impossible odds, and his refusal to bend to tyranny all resonate with certain ideals. He is a testament to the power of the individual spirit against overwhelming external forces. He inspires a sense of primal strength and freedom, reminding us to question authority and to fight for what we believe is right, even if our “battle” is purely metaphorical and our methods are far less violent.
Is the movie version of Conan (Arnold Schwarzenegger) faithful to the books regarding his morality?
The 1982 film “Conan the Barbarian,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, largely captures the spirit of Robert E. Howard’s original character, particularly regarding his anti-heroic morality. The movie emphasizes Conan’s journey of vengeance, his raw power, his stoic independence, and his eventual rise to a position of power through sheer force of will and survival. His primary antagonists, Thulsa Doom and his Snake Cult, are portrayed as undeniably evil, engaging in ritualistic sacrifice, mind control, and wanton destruction, making Conan’s violent actions against them justified within the film’s narrative.
Like any adaptation, the film takes liberties, condensing storylines and streamlining character development. Howard’s Conan is perhaps a bit more cunning, articulate, and less purely muscled than the film portrays. However, the core moral compass—a powerful outsider fighting against overwhelming, insidious evil, guided by his own fierce code—remains largely consistent. The film successfully communicates that while Conan is a brutal force, he is fighting for a cause that, in his world, is undeniably righteous: the defeat of absolute tyranny and malevolence.
What are some examples of Conan acting heroically?
Despite his often-gruff exterior and self-interested motivations, Conan frequently performs actions that are unequivocally heroic, especially when contrasted with the deeds of his adversaries. Here are a few notable examples from Robert E. Howard’s original tales:
In “The Tower of the Elephant,” Conan ventures into a perilous tower to steal a legendary jewel. However, he encounters Yag-kosha, an ancient, tortured alien being who has been cruelly imprisoned and exploited by a sorcerer. Moved by the alien’s plight and its wisdom, Conan, instead of just taking the jewel, assists Yag-kosha in achieving a merciful end, thereby helping to release a being of immense power from its suffering and prevent the sorcerer from wielding its power for greater evil. This act is driven by a deep, if uncharacteristic, empathy and a sense of justice.
In “The Black Colossus,” Conan finds himself leading the armies of Khoraja against a massive, supernatural invading force led by the resurrected sorcerer Natohk. He takes command, not out of a desire for glory, but out of necessity and a grim determination to protect the realm and its people, including Princess Yasmela, who initially sought his aid. He becomes the unexpected savior of a nation, rallying disparate forces against a monstrous threat that would otherwise have engulfed them all.
Across numerous other tales, Conan consistently finds himself allied with the downtrodden, the oppressed, and those victimized by genuinely evil sorcerers, cults, and tyrannical rulers. Whether rescuing a captive woman from a monstrous fate, defending common folk from predatory creatures, or leading a rebellion against a cruel king, his actions, while often violent and self-serving, invariably lead to the defeat of forces far more destructive and malevolent than himself. He might scoff at “heroism,” but his deeds often speak louder than his words.
Conclusion: The Anti-Hero of the Hyborian Age
So, is Conan the Barbarian a bad guy? After a deep dive into his character and the world he inhabits, the answer remains a firm no. He is not a villain, nor is he a purely benevolent hero. Conan is a force of nature, a magnificent, dangerous, and deeply flawed individual operating within a world that demands brutality for survival. He is a product of his environment, guided by a fierce, personal code that values freedom, strength, and a unique, often violent, sense of justice.
He kills, yes, but almost always in combat, self-defense, or against those who are demonstrably evil. He steals, but often out of necessity or to fund his ongoing struggle against greater evils. He might be crude and unrefined, but he despises cruelty, oppression, and treachery. He is the ultimate anti-hero, a primal champion who, despite his imperfections and often self-serving motivations, consistently finds himself standing against the true darkness of the Hyborian Age. Conan is not a bad guy; he is simply Conan, the untamed barbarian, and the world is better for having him.
