What's it called when the bad guy gets eaten?What to do when characters disagree with the plot?How specific should I be when outlining the plot?Can Bridging Conflict Work When the Answer is Known?Making the antagonist a good guy?What's the term used to describe a twist which is badly written because the twist is based on information not yet available to audience?What's the name of the trope that means fae can't cross over unless a human crosses over first?When should the protagonist have a self-revelation?Is the “hero guy saves girl” trope misogynistic?Is it bad writing or bad story telling if first person narrative contains more information than the narrator knows?Can a successful book series let the bad guy win?

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What's it called when the bad guy gets eaten?


What to do when characters disagree with the plot?How specific should I be when outlining the plot?Can Bridging Conflict Work When the Answer is Known?Making the antagonist a good guy?What's the term used to describe a twist which is badly written because the twist is based on information not yet available to audience?What's the name of the trope that means fae can't cross over unless a human crosses over first?When should the protagonist have a self-revelation?Is the “hero guy saves girl” trope misogynistic?Is it bad writing or bad story telling if first person narrative contains more information than the narrator knows?Can a successful book series let the bad guy win?






.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;








18















Is there a specific name for the plot device in which the story's "Big Bad" has a cunning plan to use some monstrous being to further their diabolical machinations. This may be something summoned from elsewhere, brought back from banishment after earlier issues, or even the creation of magic or mad science. But when it arrives/arises it turns around and destroys the existing Big Bad only to pursue its own campaign of destruction that continues to tie down the same protagonists?










share|improve this question



















  • 14





    I'm fond of the phrase "His karma ran over his dogma."

    – Lauren Ipsum
    Jul 7 at 12:45






  • 7





    Tyranus Escapus Bitus Assus.

    – wetcircuit
    Jul 7 at 14:20






  • 7





    Indi...uuurrrp!...gestion!

    – Bob Jarvis
    Jul 8 at 3:49






  • 1





    What's it called when the bad guy gets deus ex machina-ed? That. Which usually also ends in one: our superheros might not be able to defeat the evil wizard, but they can just melee the random monster to death after it eats him, as always.

    – Mazura
    Jul 8 at 22:56


















18















Is there a specific name for the plot device in which the story's "Big Bad" has a cunning plan to use some monstrous being to further their diabolical machinations. This may be something summoned from elsewhere, brought back from banishment after earlier issues, or even the creation of magic or mad science. But when it arrives/arises it turns around and destroys the existing Big Bad only to pursue its own campaign of destruction that continues to tie down the same protagonists?










share|improve this question



















  • 14





    I'm fond of the phrase "His karma ran over his dogma."

    – Lauren Ipsum
    Jul 7 at 12:45






  • 7





    Tyranus Escapus Bitus Assus.

    – wetcircuit
    Jul 7 at 14:20






  • 7





    Indi...uuurrrp!...gestion!

    – Bob Jarvis
    Jul 8 at 3:49






  • 1





    What's it called when the bad guy gets deus ex machina-ed? That. Which usually also ends in one: our superheros might not be able to defeat the evil wizard, but they can just melee the random monster to death after it eats him, as always.

    – Mazura
    Jul 8 at 22:56














18












18








18


1






Is there a specific name for the plot device in which the story's "Big Bad" has a cunning plan to use some monstrous being to further their diabolical machinations. This may be something summoned from elsewhere, brought back from banishment after earlier issues, or even the creation of magic or mad science. But when it arrives/arises it turns around and destroys the existing Big Bad only to pursue its own campaign of destruction that continues to tie down the same protagonists?










share|improve this question
















Is there a specific name for the plot device in which the story's "Big Bad" has a cunning plan to use some monstrous being to further their diabolical machinations. This may be something summoned from elsewhere, brought back from banishment after earlier issues, or even the creation of magic or mad science. But when it arrives/arises it turns around and destroys the existing Big Bad only to pursue its own campaign of destruction that continues to tie down the same protagonists?







plot tropes antagonist






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Jul 7 at 17:16









Cyn

26.8k2 gold badges59 silver badges125 bronze badges




26.8k2 gold badges59 silver badges125 bronze badges










asked Jul 7 at 12:44









AshAsh

8,16511 silver badges42 bronze badges




8,16511 silver badges42 bronze badges







  • 14





    I'm fond of the phrase "His karma ran over his dogma."

    – Lauren Ipsum
    Jul 7 at 12:45






  • 7





    Tyranus Escapus Bitus Assus.

    – wetcircuit
    Jul 7 at 14:20






  • 7





    Indi...uuurrrp!...gestion!

    – Bob Jarvis
    Jul 8 at 3:49






  • 1





    What's it called when the bad guy gets deus ex machina-ed? That. Which usually also ends in one: our superheros might not be able to defeat the evil wizard, but they can just melee the random monster to death after it eats him, as always.

    – Mazura
    Jul 8 at 22:56













  • 14





    I'm fond of the phrase "His karma ran over his dogma."

    – Lauren Ipsum
    Jul 7 at 12:45






  • 7





    Tyranus Escapus Bitus Assus.

    – wetcircuit
    Jul 7 at 14:20






  • 7





    Indi...uuurrrp!...gestion!

    – Bob Jarvis
    Jul 8 at 3:49






  • 1





    What's it called when the bad guy gets deus ex machina-ed? That. Which usually also ends in one: our superheros might not be able to defeat the evil wizard, but they can just melee the random monster to death after it eats him, as always.

    – Mazura
    Jul 8 at 22:56








14




14





I'm fond of the phrase "His karma ran over his dogma."

– Lauren Ipsum
Jul 7 at 12:45





I'm fond of the phrase "His karma ran over his dogma."

– Lauren Ipsum
Jul 7 at 12:45




7




7





Tyranus Escapus Bitus Assus.

– wetcircuit
Jul 7 at 14:20





Tyranus Escapus Bitus Assus.

– wetcircuit
Jul 7 at 14:20




7




7





Indi...uuurrrp!...gestion!

– Bob Jarvis
Jul 8 at 3:49





Indi...uuurrrp!...gestion!

– Bob Jarvis
Jul 8 at 3:49




1




1





What's it called when the bad guy gets deus ex machina-ed? That. Which usually also ends in one: our superheros might not be able to defeat the evil wizard, but they can just melee the random monster to death after it eats him, as always.

– Mazura
Jul 8 at 22:56






What's it called when the bad guy gets deus ex machina-ed? That. Which usually also ends in one: our superheros might not be able to defeat the evil wizard, but they can just melee the random monster to death after it eats him, as always.

– Mazura
Jul 8 at 22:56











4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes


















37














Just Desserts



From TV Tropes:




A villain ultimately finds their evil deeds come back to bite them.
Literally—they end up getting eaten.



This does not include a Heroic Sacrifice. But may be subverted with a
minor character being killed and eaten in obvious foreshadowing of
what is going to happen to one of the bads at some point. While Mooks
may be recipients of the Just Desserts, a true Just Dessert is
reserved for those higher up the ladder. If the beast doing the eating
was unleashed by the guy who gets eaten, he's been Hoist by His Own
Petard, making him a Self-Disposing Villain. Bonus points if he made a
practice of feeding people to said beast beforehand.







share|improve this answer


















  • 4





    Adding further, it's a subset of being hoist by one's petard.

    – Matthew Dave
    Jul 7 at 17:54






  • 5





    @MatthewDave I realized "just desserts" was the phrase that would work and did a search on it, finding this trope. But I am going out of my way not to go down the rabbit hole of the TV Tropes site, as I'd like to you know leave the house today. But yeah, you're right.

    – Cyn
    Jul 7 at 17:56






  • 2





    "Poetic justice" also applies.

    – Ben Voigt
    Jul 8 at 2:06






  • 3





    Or, if it happens earlier, "Just Hors D'oeuvres", "Just Salads", "Just Soups", "Just Main Courses", etc, etc.

    – Bob Jarvis
    Jul 8 at 3:51






  • 3





    @Baldrickk It's a very subtle pun: "just deserts", the standard English phrase, has one "s", relating to "deserve"; the TVTropes page linked spells it with a double "s", like the food type. So it's explicitly about being eaten, not attacked.

    – IMSoP
    Jul 8 at 14:40


















24














On TV Tropes this is called Evil Is Not a Toy:




Sometimes the Sealed Evil in a Can doesn't escape by itself, nor is it released by an Unwitting Pawn, but is deliberately set free by a villain (or hero). Let's call him Bob. Bob usually thinks he can control the sealed evil, or bargain with it, expecting to trade on a certain level of gratitude on its part since he was the one who freed it (or in extreme cases, resurrected it).



This never works.



The Sealed Evil in a Can will inevitably turn on the one who freed it — sometimes sooner, sometimes later. In many cases, it turns out to have no understanding of loyalty or gratitude at all. Bob may end up being killed on the spot, or he may be enslaved by the sealed evil



[...]



In any case, if Bob was the Big Bad before, he was really just a Little Bad; the formerly-sealed evil is the true Big Bad.




There is also Eat The Summoner, which fits very closely to the title of this question:




Alice is a Sealed Evil in a Can. Bob, either because he was promised something like immortality or riches, thinks he can control her, or because he thinks Alice isn't as evil as everyone says she is, tries to free her. After a bit of hard work, and possibly some outmaneuvering of people with more common sense, Bob frees Alice. However, rather than rewarding Bob for his service or even giving him a simple thank you, Alice tosses Bob into her mouth and eats him without a second thought.







share|improve this answer




















  • 7





    Found by searching TV Tropes for the phrase "Do not call up that which you cannot put down".

    – Oscar Cunningham
    Jul 7 at 21:12











  • I think this is the better answer at this stage.

    – Ash
    Jul 9 at 18:14


















1














Personally from the little bit of research I've done I feel that this is originally the "Good vs. Evil" troupe but after the mega force or "worser" evil is unleashed who then attempts to destroy the original villain it switches troupes to what's called "Eviler Than Thou". This is what I believe would be the best way to explain it. Here's the article that lead me to believe that this was the best answer: Eviler Than Thou






share|improve this answer






























    0














    I think Frankenstein fits this category almost perfectly. In Frankenstein the protagonist had created a creature that backfired on him and ruined his life. That pattern does not take into account that evil aspect as the protagonist wasn't evil. It just describes the pattern of creating something for the sake of personal benefit (be it a good or bad character) that backfires horribly. So maybe we can call it - "The Frankenstein Effect"?






    share|improve this answer




















    • 9





      I'm not sure what version of Frankenstein you're thinking of, but the protagonist in Mary Shelley's original isn't really a "bad guy" planning "diabolical machinations".

      – IMSoP
      Jul 7 at 15:16











    • Yes, I realize the motivation of the protagonist is not evil. that's why it doesn't fit perfectly. But, the main idea is the same, someone creates something that backfires horribly. Does it make sense?

      – Oren_C
      Jul 7 at 15:19






    • 1





      To me, it doesn't really feel like the same trope, without the "hoist by your own petard" element. It's related, but doesn't quite capture the nuance.

      – IMSoP
      Jul 7 at 15:23






    • 2





      To be a good answer, you've got to say why Frankenstein fits this category almost perfectly.

      – RonJohn
      Jul 8 at 4:44











    • @RonJohn Thanks, I edited the answer.

      – Oren_C
      Jul 8 at 7:23













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    4 Answers
    4






    active

    oldest

    votes








    4 Answers
    4






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    37














    Just Desserts



    From TV Tropes:




    A villain ultimately finds their evil deeds come back to bite them.
    Literally—they end up getting eaten.



    This does not include a Heroic Sacrifice. But may be subverted with a
    minor character being killed and eaten in obvious foreshadowing of
    what is going to happen to one of the bads at some point. While Mooks
    may be recipients of the Just Desserts, a true Just Dessert is
    reserved for those higher up the ladder. If the beast doing the eating
    was unleashed by the guy who gets eaten, he's been Hoist by His Own
    Petard, making him a Self-Disposing Villain. Bonus points if he made a
    practice of feeding people to said beast beforehand.







    share|improve this answer


















    • 4





      Adding further, it's a subset of being hoist by one's petard.

      – Matthew Dave
      Jul 7 at 17:54






    • 5





      @MatthewDave I realized "just desserts" was the phrase that would work and did a search on it, finding this trope. But I am going out of my way not to go down the rabbit hole of the TV Tropes site, as I'd like to you know leave the house today. But yeah, you're right.

      – Cyn
      Jul 7 at 17:56






    • 2





      "Poetic justice" also applies.

      – Ben Voigt
      Jul 8 at 2:06






    • 3





      Or, if it happens earlier, "Just Hors D'oeuvres", "Just Salads", "Just Soups", "Just Main Courses", etc, etc.

      – Bob Jarvis
      Jul 8 at 3:51






    • 3





      @Baldrickk It's a very subtle pun: "just deserts", the standard English phrase, has one "s", relating to "deserve"; the TVTropes page linked spells it with a double "s", like the food type. So it's explicitly about being eaten, not attacked.

      – IMSoP
      Jul 8 at 14:40















    37














    Just Desserts



    From TV Tropes:




    A villain ultimately finds their evil deeds come back to bite them.
    Literally—they end up getting eaten.



    This does not include a Heroic Sacrifice. But may be subverted with a
    minor character being killed and eaten in obvious foreshadowing of
    what is going to happen to one of the bads at some point. While Mooks
    may be recipients of the Just Desserts, a true Just Dessert is
    reserved for those higher up the ladder. If the beast doing the eating
    was unleashed by the guy who gets eaten, he's been Hoist by His Own
    Petard, making him a Self-Disposing Villain. Bonus points if he made a
    practice of feeding people to said beast beforehand.







    share|improve this answer


















    • 4





      Adding further, it's a subset of being hoist by one's petard.

      – Matthew Dave
      Jul 7 at 17:54






    • 5





      @MatthewDave I realized "just desserts" was the phrase that would work and did a search on it, finding this trope. But I am going out of my way not to go down the rabbit hole of the TV Tropes site, as I'd like to you know leave the house today. But yeah, you're right.

      – Cyn
      Jul 7 at 17:56






    • 2





      "Poetic justice" also applies.

      – Ben Voigt
      Jul 8 at 2:06






    • 3





      Or, if it happens earlier, "Just Hors D'oeuvres", "Just Salads", "Just Soups", "Just Main Courses", etc, etc.

      – Bob Jarvis
      Jul 8 at 3:51






    • 3





      @Baldrickk It's a very subtle pun: "just deserts", the standard English phrase, has one "s", relating to "deserve"; the TVTropes page linked spells it with a double "s", like the food type. So it's explicitly about being eaten, not attacked.

      – IMSoP
      Jul 8 at 14:40













    37












    37








    37







    Just Desserts



    From TV Tropes:




    A villain ultimately finds their evil deeds come back to bite them.
    Literally—they end up getting eaten.



    This does not include a Heroic Sacrifice. But may be subverted with a
    minor character being killed and eaten in obvious foreshadowing of
    what is going to happen to one of the bads at some point. While Mooks
    may be recipients of the Just Desserts, a true Just Dessert is
    reserved for those higher up the ladder. If the beast doing the eating
    was unleashed by the guy who gets eaten, he's been Hoist by His Own
    Petard, making him a Self-Disposing Villain. Bonus points if he made a
    practice of feeding people to said beast beforehand.







    share|improve this answer













    Just Desserts



    From TV Tropes:




    A villain ultimately finds their evil deeds come back to bite them.
    Literally—they end up getting eaten.



    This does not include a Heroic Sacrifice. But may be subverted with a
    minor character being killed and eaten in obvious foreshadowing of
    what is going to happen to one of the bads at some point. While Mooks
    may be recipients of the Just Desserts, a true Just Dessert is
    reserved for those higher up the ladder. If the beast doing the eating
    was unleashed by the guy who gets eaten, he's been Hoist by His Own
    Petard, making him a Self-Disposing Villain. Bonus points if he made a
    practice of feeding people to said beast beforehand.








    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Jul 7 at 17:48









    CynCyn

    26.8k2 gold badges59 silver badges125 bronze badges




    26.8k2 gold badges59 silver badges125 bronze badges







    • 4





      Adding further, it's a subset of being hoist by one's petard.

      – Matthew Dave
      Jul 7 at 17:54






    • 5





      @MatthewDave I realized "just desserts" was the phrase that would work and did a search on it, finding this trope. But I am going out of my way not to go down the rabbit hole of the TV Tropes site, as I'd like to you know leave the house today. But yeah, you're right.

      – Cyn
      Jul 7 at 17:56






    • 2





      "Poetic justice" also applies.

      – Ben Voigt
      Jul 8 at 2:06






    • 3





      Or, if it happens earlier, "Just Hors D'oeuvres", "Just Salads", "Just Soups", "Just Main Courses", etc, etc.

      – Bob Jarvis
      Jul 8 at 3:51






    • 3





      @Baldrickk It's a very subtle pun: "just deserts", the standard English phrase, has one "s", relating to "deserve"; the TVTropes page linked spells it with a double "s", like the food type. So it's explicitly about being eaten, not attacked.

      – IMSoP
      Jul 8 at 14:40












    • 4





      Adding further, it's a subset of being hoist by one's petard.

      – Matthew Dave
      Jul 7 at 17:54






    • 5





      @MatthewDave I realized "just desserts" was the phrase that would work and did a search on it, finding this trope. But I am going out of my way not to go down the rabbit hole of the TV Tropes site, as I'd like to you know leave the house today. But yeah, you're right.

      – Cyn
      Jul 7 at 17:56






    • 2





      "Poetic justice" also applies.

      – Ben Voigt
      Jul 8 at 2:06






    • 3





      Or, if it happens earlier, "Just Hors D'oeuvres", "Just Salads", "Just Soups", "Just Main Courses", etc, etc.

      – Bob Jarvis
      Jul 8 at 3:51






    • 3





      @Baldrickk It's a very subtle pun: "just deserts", the standard English phrase, has one "s", relating to "deserve"; the TVTropes page linked spells it with a double "s", like the food type. So it's explicitly about being eaten, not attacked.

      – IMSoP
      Jul 8 at 14:40







    4




    4





    Adding further, it's a subset of being hoist by one's petard.

    – Matthew Dave
    Jul 7 at 17:54





    Adding further, it's a subset of being hoist by one's petard.

    – Matthew Dave
    Jul 7 at 17:54




    5




    5





    @MatthewDave I realized "just desserts" was the phrase that would work and did a search on it, finding this trope. But I am going out of my way not to go down the rabbit hole of the TV Tropes site, as I'd like to you know leave the house today. But yeah, you're right.

    – Cyn
    Jul 7 at 17:56





    @MatthewDave I realized "just desserts" was the phrase that would work and did a search on it, finding this trope. But I am going out of my way not to go down the rabbit hole of the TV Tropes site, as I'd like to you know leave the house today. But yeah, you're right.

    – Cyn
    Jul 7 at 17:56




    2




    2





    "Poetic justice" also applies.

    – Ben Voigt
    Jul 8 at 2:06





    "Poetic justice" also applies.

    – Ben Voigt
    Jul 8 at 2:06




    3




    3





    Or, if it happens earlier, "Just Hors D'oeuvres", "Just Salads", "Just Soups", "Just Main Courses", etc, etc.

    – Bob Jarvis
    Jul 8 at 3:51





    Or, if it happens earlier, "Just Hors D'oeuvres", "Just Salads", "Just Soups", "Just Main Courses", etc, etc.

    – Bob Jarvis
    Jul 8 at 3:51




    3




    3





    @Baldrickk It's a very subtle pun: "just deserts", the standard English phrase, has one "s", relating to "deserve"; the TVTropes page linked spells it with a double "s", like the food type. So it's explicitly about being eaten, not attacked.

    – IMSoP
    Jul 8 at 14:40





    @Baldrickk It's a very subtle pun: "just deserts", the standard English phrase, has one "s", relating to "deserve"; the TVTropes page linked spells it with a double "s", like the food type. So it's explicitly about being eaten, not attacked.

    – IMSoP
    Jul 8 at 14:40













    24














    On TV Tropes this is called Evil Is Not a Toy:




    Sometimes the Sealed Evil in a Can doesn't escape by itself, nor is it released by an Unwitting Pawn, but is deliberately set free by a villain (or hero). Let's call him Bob. Bob usually thinks he can control the sealed evil, or bargain with it, expecting to trade on a certain level of gratitude on its part since he was the one who freed it (or in extreme cases, resurrected it).



    This never works.



    The Sealed Evil in a Can will inevitably turn on the one who freed it — sometimes sooner, sometimes later. In many cases, it turns out to have no understanding of loyalty or gratitude at all. Bob may end up being killed on the spot, or he may be enslaved by the sealed evil



    [...]



    In any case, if Bob was the Big Bad before, he was really just a Little Bad; the formerly-sealed evil is the true Big Bad.




    There is also Eat The Summoner, which fits very closely to the title of this question:




    Alice is a Sealed Evil in a Can. Bob, either because he was promised something like immortality or riches, thinks he can control her, or because he thinks Alice isn't as evil as everyone says she is, tries to free her. After a bit of hard work, and possibly some outmaneuvering of people with more common sense, Bob frees Alice. However, rather than rewarding Bob for his service or even giving him a simple thank you, Alice tosses Bob into her mouth and eats him without a second thought.







    share|improve this answer




















    • 7





      Found by searching TV Tropes for the phrase "Do not call up that which you cannot put down".

      – Oscar Cunningham
      Jul 7 at 21:12











    • I think this is the better answer at this stage.

      – Ash
      Jul 9 at 18:14















    24














    On TV Tropes this is called Evil Is Not a Toy:




    Sometimes the Sealed Evil in a Can doesn't escape by itself, nor is it released by an Unwitting Pawn, but is deliberately set free by a villain (or hero). Let's call him Bob. Bob usually thinks he can control the sealed evil, or bargain with it, expecting to trade on a certain level of gratitude on its part since he was the one who freed it (or in extreme cases, resurrected it).



    This never works.



    The Sealed Evil in a Can will inevitably turn on the one who freed it — sometimes sooner, sometimes later. In many cases, it turns out to have no understanding of loyalty or gratitude at all. Bob may end up being killed on the spot, or he may be enslaved by the sealed evil



    [...]



    In any case, if Bob was the Big Bad before, he was really just a Little Bad; the formerly-sealed evil is the true Big Bad.




    There is also Eat The Summoner, which fits very closely to the title of this question:




    Alice is a Sealed Evil in a Can. Bob, either because he was promised something like immortality or riches, thinks he can control her, or because he thinks Alice isn't as evil as everyone says she is, tries to free her. After a bit of hard work, and possibly some outmaneuvering of people with more common sense, Bob frees Alice. However, rather than rewarding Bob for his service or even giving him a simple thank you, Alice tosses Bob into her mouth and eats him without a second thought.







    share|improve this answer




















    • 7





      Found by searching TV Tropes for the phrase "Do not call up that which you cannot put down".

      – Oscar Cunningham
      Jul 7 at 21:12











    • I think this is the better answer at this stage.

      – Ash
      Jul 9 at 18:14













    24












    24








    24







    On TV Tropes this is called Evil Is Not a Toy:




    Sometimes the Sealed Evil in a Can doesn't escape by itself, nor is it released by an Unwitting Pawn, but is deliberately set free by a villain (or hero). Let's call him Bob. Bob usually thinks he can control the sealed evil, or bargain with it, expecting to trade on a certain level of gratitude on its part since he was the one who freed it (or in extreme cases, resurrected it).



    This never works.



    The Sealed Evil in a Can will inevitably turn on the one who freed it — sometimes sooner, sometimes later. In many cases, it turns out to have no understanding of loyalty or gratitude at all. Bob may end up being killed on the spot, or he may be enslaved by the sealed evil



    [...]



    In any case, if Bob was the Big Bad before, he was really just a Little Bad; the formerly-sealed evil is the true Big Bad.




    There is also Eat The Summoner, which fits very closely to the title of this question:




    Alice is a Sealed Evil in a Can. Bob, either because he was promised something like immortality or riches, thinks he can control her, or because he thinks Alice isn't as evil as everyone says she is, tries to free her. After a bit of hard work, and possibly some outmaneuvering of people with more common sense, Bob frees Alice. However, rather than rewarding Bob for his service or even giving him a simple thank you, Alice tosses Bob into her mouth and eats him without a second thought.







    share|improve this answer















    On TV Tropes this is called Evil Is Not a Toy:




    Sometimes the Sealed Evil in a Can doesn't escape by itself, nor is it released by an Unwitting Pawn, but is deliberately set free by a villain (or hero). Let's call him Bob. Bob usually thinks he can control the sealed evil, or bargain with it, expecting to trade on a certain level of gratitude on its part since he was the one who freed it (or in extreme cases, resurrected it).



    This never works.



    The Sealed Evil in a Can will inevitably turn on the one who freed it — sometimes sooner, sometimes later. In many cases, it turns out to have no understanding of loyalty or gratitude at all. Bob may end up being killed on the spot, or he may be enslaved by the sealed evil



    [...]



    In any case, if Bob was the Big Bad before, he was really just a Little Bad; the formerly-sealed evil is the true Big Bad.




    There is also Eat The Summoner, which fits very closely to the title of this question:




    Alice is a Sealed Evil in a Can. Bob, either because he was promised something like immortality or riches, thinks he can control her, or because he thinks Alice isn't as evil as everyone says she is, tries to free her. After a bit of hard work, and possibly some outmaneuvering of people with more common sense, Bob frees Alice. However, rather than rewarding Bob for his service or even giving him a simple thank you, Alice tosses Bob into her mouth and eats him without a second thought.








    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Jul 7 at 21:41

























    answered Jul 7 at 21:10









    Oscar CunninghamOscar Cunningham

    3414 bronze badges




    3414 bronze badges







    • 7





      Found by searching TV Tropes for the phrase "Do not call up that which you cannot put down".

      – Oscar Cunningham
      Jul 7 at 21:12











    • I think this is the better answer at this stage.

      – Ash
      Jul 9 at 18:14












    • 7





      Found by searching TV Tropes for the phrase "Do not call up that which you cannot put down".

      – Oscar Cunningham
      Jul 7 at 21:12











    • I think this is the better answer at this stage.

      – Ash
      Jul 9 at 18:14







    7




    7





    Found by searching TV Tropes for the phrase "Do not call up that which you cannot put down".

    – Oscar Cunningham
    Jul 7 at 21:12





    Found by searching TV Tropes for the phrase "Do not call up that which you cannot put down".

    – Oscar Cunningham
    Jul 7 at 21:12













    I think this is the better answer at this stage.

    – Ash
    Jul 9 at 18:14





    I think this is the better answer at this stage.

    – Ash
    Jul 9 at 18:14











    1














    Personally from the little bit of research I've done I feel that this is originally the "Good vs. Evil" troupe but after the mega force or "worser" evil is unleashed who then attempts to destroy the original villain it switches troupes to what's called "Eviler Than Thou". This is what I believe would be the best way to explain it. Here's the article that lead me to believe that this was the best answer: Eviler Than Thou






    share|improve this answer



























      1














      Personally from the little bit of research I've done I feel that this is originally the "Good vs. Evil" troupe but after the mega force or "worser" evil is unleashed who then attempts to destroy the original villain it switches troupes to what's called "Eviler Than Thou". This is what I believe would be the best way to explain it. Here's the article that lead me to believe that this was the best answer: Eviler Than Thou






      share|improve this answer

























        1












        1








        1







        Personally from the little bit of research I've done I feel that this is originally the "Good vs. Evil" troupe but after the mega force or "worser" evil is unleashed who then attempts to destroy the original villain it switches troupes to what's called "Eviler Than Thou". This is what I believe would be the best way to explain it. Here's the article that lead me to believe that this was the best answer: Eviler Than Thou






        share|improve this answer













        Personally from the little bit of research I've done I feel that this is originally the "Good vs. Evil" troupe but after the mega force or "worser" evil is unleashed who then attempts to destroy the original villain it switches troupes to what's called "Eviler Than Thou". This is what I believe would be the best way to explain it. Here's the article that lead me to believe that this was the best answer: Eviler Than Thou







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Jul 7 at 17:38









        Tommy R.Tommy R.

        266 bronze badges




        266 bronze badges





















            0














            I think Frankenstein fits this category almost perfectly. In Frankenstein the protagonist had created a creature that backfired on him and ruined his life. That pattern does not take into account that evil aspect as the protagonist wasn't evil. It just describes the pattern of creating something for the sake of personal benefit (be it a good or bad character) that backfires horribly. So maybe we can call it - "The Frankenstein Effect"?






            share|improve this answer




















            • 9





              I'm not sure what version of Frankenstein you're thinking of, but the protagonist in Mary Shelley's original isn't really a "bad guy" planning "diabolical machinations".

              – IMSoP
              Jul 7 at 15:16











            • Yes, I realize the motivation of the protagonist is not evil. that's why it doesn't fit perfectly. But, the main idea is the same, someone creates something that backfires horribly. Does it make sense?

              – Oren_C
              Jul 7 at 15:19






            • 1





              To me, it doesn't really feel like the same trope, without the "hoist by your own petard" element. It's related, but doesn't quite capture the nuance.

              – IMSoP
              Jul 7 at 15:23






            • 2





              To be a good answer, you've got to say why Frankenstein fits this category almost perfectly.

              – RonJohn
              Jul 8 at 4:44











            • @RonJohn Thanks, I edited the answer.

              – Oren_C
              Jul 8 at 7:23















            0














            I think Frankenstein fits this category almost perfectly. In Frankenstein the protagonist had created a creature that backfired on him and ruined his life. That pattern does not take into account that evil aspect as the protagonist wasn't evil. It just describes the pattern of creating something for the sake of personal benefit (be it a good or bad character) that backfires horribly. So maybe we can call it - "The Frankenstein Effect"?






            share|improve this answer




















            • 9





              I'm not sure what version of Frankenstein you're thinking of, but the protagonist in Mary Shelley's original isn't really a "bad guy" planning "diabolical machinations".

              – IMSoP
              Jul 7 at 15:16











            • Yes, I realize the motivation of the protagonist is not evil. that's why it doesn't fit perfectly. But, the main idea is the same, someone creates something that backfires horribly. Does it make sense?

              – Oren_C
              Jul 7 at 15:19






            • 1





              To me, it doesn't really feel like the same trope, without the "hoist by your own petard" element. It's related, but doesn't quite capture the nuance.

              – IMSoP
              Jul 7 at 15:23






            • 2





              To be a good answer, you've got to say why Frankenstein fits this category almost perfectly.

              – RonJohn
              Jul 8 at 4:44











            • @RonJohn Thanks, I edited the answer.

              – Oren_C
              Jul 8 at 7:23













            0












            0








            0







            I think Frankenstein fits this category almost perfectly. In Frankenstein the protagonist had created a creature that backfired on him and ruined his life. That pattern does not take into account that evil aspect as the protagonist wasn't evil. It just describes the pattern of creating something for the sake of personal benefit (be it a good or bad character) that backfires horribly. So maybe we can call it - "The Frankenstein Effect"?






            share|improve this answer















            I think Frankenstein fits this category almost perfectly. In Frankenstein the protagonist had created a creature that backfired on him and ruined his life. That pattern does not take into account that evil aspect as the protagonist wasn't evil. It just describes the pattern of creating something for the sake of personal benefit (be it a good or bad character) that backfires horribly. So maybe we can call it - "The Frankenstein Effect"?







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Jul 8 at 7:23

























            answered Jul 7 at 14:55









            Oren_COren_C

            1,2621 gold badge1 silver badge15 bronze badges




            1,2621 gold badge1 silver badge15 bronze badges







            • 9





              I'm not sure what version of Frankenstein you're thinking of, but the protagonist in Mary Shelley's original isn't really a "bad guy" planning "diabolical machinations".

              – IMSoP
              Jul 7 at 15:16











            • Yes, I realize the motivation of the protagonist is not evil. that's why it doesn't fit perfectly. But, the main idea is the same, someone creates something that backfires horribly. Does it make sense?

              – Oren_C
              Jul 7 at 15:19






            • 1





              To me, it doesn't really feel like the same trope, without the "hoist by your own petard" element. It's related, but doesn't quite capture the nuance.

              – IMSoP
              Jul 7 at 15:23






            • 2





              To be a good answer, you've got to say why Frankenstein fits this category almost perfectly.

              – RonJohn
              Jul 8 at 4:44











            • @RonJohn Thanks, I edited the answer.

              – Oren_C
              Jul 8 at 7:23












            • 9





              I'm not sure what version of Frankenstein you're thinking of, but the protagonist in Mary Shelley's original isn't really a "bad guy" planning "diabolical machinations".

              – IMSoP
              Jul 7 at 15:16











            • Yes, I realize the motivation of the protagonist is not evil. that's why it doesn't fit perfectly. But, the main idea is the same, someone creates something that backfires horribly. Does it make sense?

              – Oren_C
              Jul 7 at 15:19






            • 1





              To me, it doesn't really feel like the same trope, without the "hoist by your own petard" element. It's related, but doesn't quite capture the nuance.

              – IMSoP
              Jul 7 at 15:23






            • 2





              To be a good answer, you've got to say why Frankenstein fits this category almost perfectly.

              – RonJohn
              Jul 8 at 4:44











            • @RonJohn Thanks, I edited the answer.

              – Oren_C
              Jul 8 at 7:23







            9




            9





            I'm not sure what version of Frankenstein you're thinking of, but the protagonist in Mary Shelley's original isn't really a "bad guy" planning "diabolical machinations".

            – IMSoP
            Jul 7 at 15:16





            I'm not sure what version of Frankenstein you're thinking of, but the protagonist in Mary Shelley's original isn't really a "bad guy" planning "diabolical machinations".

            – IMSoP
            Jul 7 at 15:16













            Yes, I realize the motivation of the protagonist is not evil. that's why it doesn't fit perfectly. But, the main idea is the same, someone creates something that backfires horribly. Does it make sense?

            – Oren_C
            Jul 7 at 15:19





            Yes, I realize the motivation of the protagonist is not evil. that's why it doesn't fit perfectly. But, the main idea is the same, someone creates something that backfires horribly. Does it make sense?

            – Oren_C
            Jul 7 at 15:19




            1




            1





            To me, it doesn't really feel like the same trope, without the "hoist by your own petard" element. It's related, but doesn't quite capture the nuance.

            – IMSoP
            Jul 7 at 15:23





            To me, it doesn't really feel like the same trope, without the "hoist by your own petard" element. It's related, but doesn't quite capture the nuance.

            – IMSoP
            Jul 7 at 15:23




            2




            2





            To be a good answer, you've got to say why Frankenstein fits this category almost perfectly.

            – RonJohn
            Jul 8 at 4:44





            To be a good answer, you've got to say why Frankenstein fits this category almost perfectly.

            – RonJohn
            Jul 8 at 4:44













            @RonJohn Thanks, I edited the answer.

            – Oren_C
            Jul 8 at 7:23





            @RonJohn Thanks, I edited the answer.

            – Oren_C
            Jul 8 at 7:23

















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