So, when broken down, all characters can essentially fall into two categories (which Leah kindly covered for us): Alphas and Betas. To recap, Alphas are the strong, independent ones who will go for the things the want. In contrast, Betas are the sidekick characters who are a bit quieter and think more of the consequences. But there are so many more types of characterization than just independent versus sidekick. Which brings us to today's topic: Deltas.
When compared to the idea that all characters fall into either the Alpha or Beta categories, Deltas fall into the Alphas. So, what exactly are they? What sets them apart from just being a flat-out Alpha, but instead gives them an entire sub-category of their own? Well, to put it plainly, Alphas are inherently heroic, and Deltas and inherently villainous. Obviously, there are shades of gray. No good story/character would be complete without the realistic shades of gray that paint the every day world. Making things black and white is boring, easy to see through, and just unrelatable. Everyone, everything, everywhere has shades of gray. Nothing and no one is full-on black or full-on white. We're not 100% pure or 100% evil. Both imply perfection, whether it be perfectly good or perfectly evil. But shades of gray (not to reference that horrendous scum that is a shit stain on the literary and sexual world) are another topic for another day.
Thinking about some villains many of us may know, there's one sentence that makes or breaks whether a character is a Delta. What is that sentence? "They're just misunderstood." Honestly, sometimes someone's motives can be seen as villainous, when truly, they are just misunderstood. Best example I can think of? Prince Zuko from the Avatar: The Last Airbender series. Throughout the series, he has an incredible character arc. Originally, the viewer is lead to believe that Zuko is a pretty dickish dude, whose only goal is to capture the avatar. But then you realize it's not because he's Fire Nation scum, but because in trying to do the right thing, he was disfigured and banished by his own father, and all he wants to do is earn back the honor and love of his father and his nation. It's not that he's a villain who wants to fuck shit up for other people. He wants back what he lost for standing up for what was right.
On the other end of the spectrum is where we have a true Delta (and feel free to shudder with me when I mention her name): Delores Umbridge. Honestly, what could she possibly gain for any of the shit she is doing? She's fucked in the head. She is literally the epitome of evil, skin-crawling, horrible bitches that even the most pure of heart person would probably want to set ablaze and then piss on her ashes. True Delta material right there. What the hell kind of justification does she even have? She just goes around making everyone miserable for no fucking reason. Nothing that she does to anyone seems to make any sense, and really only makes everyone want to buy tickets to watch her horrible, suffering death for all the money to their names.
And don't even get me started on the Lich from Adventure Time. If you want the purest form of Delta, there you have it. The Lich is literally the purest form of evil. No wasting time, no putting on anything for show to be some glitzy, glamorous villain. His goal is simple: the extinction of all life. He will stop at nothing to get it, and doesn't waste time explaining plans or putting on these big, theatrical fights. He goes to the basics of his plans and does what he needs to do in order to fuck everything up for everyone. No good. No redeeming qualities. Literally the purest, most condensed form of evil.
Doing bad things doesn't necessarily make a Delta. Everyone has flaws, and everyone makes mistakes. Just because someone does something that seems like it could be villainous does not automatically make them a Delta. Not every story has a Delta.
Deltas don't seem to have much reason behind some of their actions. They aren't doing it for some greater reason (think characters such as the Robinhood-type, who might do some shitty things in order to good for others. Those are not Deltas), and they kind of just seem to be a dick. There's no greater understanding behind their motives. Even if they have some redeeming qualities (because, let's face it, no villain is a good villain unless they have some sort of redeeming quality that adds some form of humanity to them) they are still generally an asshole overall, and you can't help but love to hate them.
That's what separates Deltas from generally dickish Alphas. The dickish Alphas have some form of justification or greater good behind their asshole actions. Whether it be to give to the poor or earn back something they lost, there is still some form of heroic inclination behind their choices. The Deltas just seem to get some form of pleasure from being a genuine asshole.
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