Anti-hero. The primary antagonist is Buffalo Bill. Lecter is evil, but he serves more as a mentor for Clarice, and is the only one who really respects her as a person. And while he isn't afraid of killing non-villains, he'll rarely go out of his way to kill and eat anyone just to satiate his appetite.
b0xcard t1_j8chmgr wrote
Reply to Is Hannibal Lecter a villain or an anti-hero to you in the novel/film The Silence of the Lambs? and why? by pablohax
Anti-hero. The primary antagonist is Buffalo Bill. Lecter is evil, but he serves more as a mentor for Clarice, and is the only one who really respects her as a person. And while he isn't afraid of killing non-villains, he'll rarely go out of his way to kill and eat anyone just to satiate his appetite.