Why Did Illidan Become “Bad”? Understanding the Complexities of the Betrayer
Illidan Stormrage, a name synonymous with power, sacrifice, and ultimately, betrayal, is far more than a simple villain. The answer to why Illidan became “bad” is multifaceted and steeped in moral ambiguity. It’s a story driven by unrequited love, a desperate desire for power to protect his people, and a willingness to make morally questionable choices for what he perceived as the greater good. He wasn’t inherently evil but was shaped by circumstances, driven by a flawed understanding of his own abilities, and ultimately misunderstood by many, leading him down a path that cemented his infamous reputation.
The Seeds of Illidan’s Fall: Love, Power, and Misguided Ambition
The Unwavering Love for Tyrande Whisperwind
Illidan’s story begins with his twin brother, Malfurion, and their shared affection for the night elf priestess, Tyrande Whisperwind. Illidan’s unrequited love for Tyrande played a pivotal role in his actions. While Malfurion was blessed with a natural connection to nature and Druidism, Illidan craved recognition and a way to impress Tyrande. He saw power as the means to achieve this, and his actions were often fueled by a desire to prove himself worthy of her affections, even if it meant walking a dangerous path.
The Lust for Power and a Pact with the Legion
Driven by his love for Tyrande and his belief that power was the only way to ensure victory against the Burning Legion, Illidan made a fateful pact with the Legion, specifically with Kil’jaeden. His intention was to gain the power to stop Sargeras from entering Azeroth via the Well of Eternity. Although he sought to use the Legion’s power against itself, this act branded him the “Betrayer”. This initial descent into morally grey territory set the stage for future decisions that further cemented his villainous image.
The Consumption of the Skull of Gul’dan and the Transformation
In his pursuit of power, Illidan consumed the fel energy of the Skull of Gul’dan. This act, intended to gain knowledge and strength, irrevocably transformed him into something demonic. He gained wicked horns, cloven hooves, and leathery wings, effectively becoming the very thing he fought against – a demon. This transformation horrified Malfurion, leading to Illidan’s banishment and further isolation. He became a pariah, ostracized by his own people for sacrificing his humanity.
The Manipulation of Kil’jaeden and the Mission to Destroy the Frozen Throne
Illidan’s story becomes more convoluted with Kil’jaeden’s manipulation. Kil’jaeden ordered Illidan to destroy the Frozen Throne and eliminate Ner’zhul, the Lich King, who had grown too powerful to control. This mission, offered in exchange for more power, placed Illidan directly in opposition to Arthas Menethil, then the Lich King’s champion. The conflict that ensued only deepened Illidan’s association with chaos and destruction.
The Recurring Theme of “The Greater Good”
Throughout his actions, Illidan believed he was acting for the greater good. He was willing to sacrifice his own morality and standing to combat the Burning Legion and other threats to Azeroth. However, his methods were often extreme and ruthless, leading many to question his true motives and perceive him as a villain. He lacked the ability to trust in others and believed that he was the only one capable of making the hard decisions necessary for Azeroth’s survival.
While his ultimate goal was often the protection of Azeroth, the path he chose was paved with questionable alliances, dangerous power grabs, and actions that alienated him from his own people, ultimately leading to his perceived “bad” status.
Frequently Asked Questions About Illidan Stormrage
1. Is Illidan truly a good or bad guy?
Illidan is a morally ambiguous figure. He commits acts that are objectively considered “bad,” such as allying with the Legion and consuming demonic energy. However, he often acts with the intention of protecting Azeroth, even if his methods are extreme. His motivations are complex, making him neither purely good nor purely evil. The Games Learning Society often explores such complex characters to analyze the moral and ethical dimensions of storytelling, as seen on GamesLearningSociety.org.
2. Why was Illidan banished by Malfurion?
Illidan was banished because he consumed the fel energy of the Skull of Gul’dan, transforming into a demon. Malfurion believed that Illidan’s actions were a betrayal of their people and nature, forcing him to exile his own brother.
3. Why did Illidan want to destroy the Frozen Throne?
Illidan was tasked by Kil’jaeden to destroy the Frozen Throne and eliminate Ner’zhul, the Lich King. Kil’jaeden feared that Ner’zhul had grown too powerful and was no longer controllable.
4. Why did Illidan go blind?
Sargeras burned out Illidan’s eyes and replaced them with orbs of mystic fire. These orbs allowed Illidan to perceive all forms of magic, but at the cost of his physical sight.
5. Why did players fight Illidan in The Burning Crusade?
Players fought Illidan in The Burning Crusade because he had established himself as a powerful and tyrannical figure in Outland. He was seen as a threat to the stability of the region and Azeroth itself. Furthermore, he had become corrupted by demonic energies, making him an enemy of both the Alliance and the Horde.
6. What did Illidan do during his 10,000-year imprisonment?
The main reason he was imprisoned for 10,000 years was he remade the well of eternity.
7. Who is stronger, Arthas or Illidan?
The power dynamic between Arthas and Illidan is complex. Before merging with Ner’zhul, the first Arthas was just as strong. With Ner’zhul feeding power into him, Arthas was stronger than Illidan at the time of their encounter in Northrend.
8. Who is the biggest villain in World of Warcraft?
Sargeras is often considered the biggest villain in the Warcraft franchise. He is the creator and leader of the Burning Legion and a former member of the Titan Pantheon who became corrupted by the Void.
9. Why did the Naga follow Illidan?
The Naga followed Illidan because the Old Gods saw him as a potential pawn. They believed he could be useful in their plans and sent the Naga to ensure his success against the Lich King, with the contingency to eliminate him if he became problematic.
10. Why did Kael’thas betray Illidan?
Kael’thas was driven by a desire to help his people, the blood elves, find a source of magic. He saw Illidan as descending into madness (though this was not entirely accurate) and believed that aligning with Kil’jaeden was a better path to securing his people’s survival.
11. Why did Malfurion hate Illidan?
Initially, Malfurion fought against Illidan because he believed Illidan was responsible for Tyrande’s supposed death. After learning the truth and reuniting briefly, their relationship remained strained due to Illidan’s continued use of demonic power and Malfurion’s disapproval of his methods.
12. Why does Illidan have wings?
Illidan gained his wings and other demonic features by absorbing the fel energy from the Skull of Gul’dan. This mutated him into a demon, granting him the physical characteristics we see in his demon hunter form.
13. Why is Illidan holding a skull?
Illidan is holding the Skull of Gul’dan, a powerful artifact that contained the warlock’s knowledge and energy. Illidan used the skull to gain power and knowledge, especially regarding the location of the Tomb of Sargeras.
14. Who killed Illidan?
Illidan was killed by Maiev Shadowsong, his former jailer, with the assistance of Akama and player adventurers, in the Black Temple raid.
15. Why is Maiev obsessed with Illidan?
Maiev’s obsession with Illidan stemmed from her duty as his jailer and her belief that he was a dangerous threat to Azeroth. She was driven by a desire to ensure that he could never cause harm again and fueled by anger over the deaths of her fellow Watchers.
Illidan’s story is a complex tapestry of love, ambition, and sacrifice, woven with shades of grey that make him one of the most compelling characters in the Warcraft universe. His journey from a promising young night elf to the “Betrayer” is a testament to the corrupting influence of power and the challenges of making morally ambiguous choices for what one believes to be the greater good.