Today is International Women’s Day and we’ll be marking the occasion by bringing you a selection of ten of the strongest (and most badass) female characters from literature. Strength comes in many forms and, whilst some of these characters can certainly hold their own in a physical confrontation, others show their strength through courage, empathy, intelligence, and defiance. Without further ado, here are ten great females from literature we would all do well to emulate.
Hermione Granger – The Harry Potter Series
It’s true that Harry Potter may be the titular character in J.K. Rowling’s magical children’s books, but it’s safe to say he wouldn’t have gotten far without some help from his friends and teachers, least of all Hermione Granger. When they first meet her on board the Hogwarts Express in the first book, both Harry and Ron find Hermione to be somewhat bossy and quite the know-it-all. However, they soon become close friends after a run-in with a troll during Halloween.
Over the course of the books, as Voldemort becomes more powerful, it’s often Hermione who keeps Harry out of harm’s way. It’s thanks to her that Harry was able to survive the perils of the Triwizard Tournament and, despite their constant bickering, she also saves Ron from plenty of tight spots, including a close encounter with the deadly Devil’s Snare. Even when she’s not practising magic, Hermione’s character shines. Given that her parents are both Muggles, Hermione is often ridiculed by other students and is even called a Mudblood, a highly derogatory term used to describe wizards and witches from non-magic families. Despite this, she continues to excel in all things magical and puts her peers to shame with her abilities. She also founds S.P.E.W. (Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare) in an effort to promote the rights of house-elves which she believes is akin to slavery. This doesn’t win her many friends, and even the house-elves are against her efforts, but Hermione stands up for what she believes is right. Hermione is arguably one of the most popular characters in the Harry Potter books and has served as a wonderful role model for young readers around the globe.
Lisbeth Salander – The Millennium Series
First introduced in Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Lisbeth Salander has since become one of the most popular characters in the crime genre, and is infamous for her tough-as-nails attitude, her great intelligence, and the fact she’s perfectly capable of violence when push comes to shove. Lisbeth Salander is presented as a gifted but troubled researcher who uses her incredible hacking skills to research individuals. During this time, she meets the disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist and agrees to help him solve a 40-year-old murder. Given her highly introverted and anti-social personality, it wouldn’t be entirely accurate to say that she and Blomkvist are ‘friends’, but the two share a deep respect for one-another and their paths have crossed many times since.
The Millennium series is not for the faint of heart and Lisbeth childhood was dark to say the least. She and her mother suffered terribly at the hands of her abusive father and, when Lisbeth found the courage to try and fight back, she was locked up in a psychiatric Hospital. Her rough childhood has forged Lisbeth into an extremely tough and self reliant individual who puts almost no effort into maintaining relationships. Despite her small size, Lisbeth is competent in self defence and uses her speed to surprise and overcome her foes. Lisbeth is also highly intelligent and has a photographic memory as well as superb hacking skills that allow her to outthink and outmanoeuvre her enemies. Her traumatic childhood has left her with a severe distrust of authority figures and rather than go to the police, Lisbeth often seeks her own form of justice from those who have wronged her. She never forgives, she never forgets, and she’s certainly a character you really wouldn’t want to cross.
Elizabeth Bennet – Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen is easily regarded as one of the greatest writers Britain has ever produced and, with books such as Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and Pride and Prejudice, it’s not hard to see why. To this day her novels bring to life the 18th century for modern readers and serve as a social commentary of the times, which has seen her receive critical acclaim from critics and scholars. There are many characters to love from Austen’s novels, but perhaps none more so than Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice.
When the Bennet patriarch dies, the family farm will go to his nephew and, given their uncertain future, Mrs Bennet is eager for her five daughters to marry off to wealthy men in order to enjoy a secure future. However, the intelligent and free-spirited Elizabeth insists on marrying for love rather than economic security. In a time where men dominated the world, Elizabeth manages to use her intelligence and charm to be in control of her life. Elizabeth Bennet has since become one of literature’s best-loved characters and, as Austen herself wrote: “I must confess that I think her as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print, and how I shall be able to tolerate those who do not like her at least I do not know.” Elizabeth refuses to let anybody take charge of her future for her but still remains a highly charming and likable character, despite the many uncertainties life throws at her.
Lady Macbeth – Macbeth
Shakespeare’s Macbeth is the well-known tragedy that warns us about the psychological toll ambition can have on one’s psyche. When a Scottish general receives a prophecy from a group of witches that he could be the next King of Scotland, Macbeth, encouraged by his wife, becomes consumed by a lust for power and ends up murdering his own King in order to seize the throne for himself. Macbeth is forced to commit more murders to cover his guilt and before long both he and his wife become consumed by madness and paranoia.
Whilst Macbeth may be the primary character of the play, his wife, Lady Macbeth, is certainly a key character and is one of Shakespeare’s most discussed female characters of all time. It could be argued that Lady Macbeth is more of a key player than the titular character, given that it is she who encourages her husband to act upon the prophecy given to him by the witches and she is more willing to commit the murders necessary for her husband’s rise to power. She reflects that he is “too full o’ the milk of human kindness” to carry out the crime and eventually persuades him by questioning his courage and manliness. The severity of her part in the crimes catches up with her and Lady Macbeth begins to become paranoid and delusional. After nights of sleepwalking, she eventually takes her own life. We would be the first to agree that Lady Macbeth may not exactly be the sort of person one should aspire to emulate, but one can’t help but feel a certain respect for a woman who, in 11th century Scotland, isn’t about to let her sex dictate how high she can rise in the world.
Eowyn – The Lord of the Rings
Given that The Lord of the Rings was written by a man in the ’50s, it’s not surprising that the majority of the main characters are men. However, those women that do appear in the famed fantasy novel are integral to the story and are often far more wise and powerful than many of the male characters. Galadriel, the Lady of Lothlorien, is one of the wisest and most powerful beings in Middle-Earth, Arwen, the half-elivish daughter of Elrond, ushers in an age of peace and love between Elves and Men when she and Aragorn marry, and of course Eowyn is the shieldmaiden of Rohan who rejects conventional gender roles and instead disguises herself as a man and fights against Sauron’s evil forces.
Introduced in the second book, The Two Towers, Eowyn has watched as the War of the Ring has ravaged her homeland and seen her once noble house brought to its knees. Her cousin, Theodred is killed in battle and she must watch as Sauron’s spy Wormtongue fills King Theoden’s mind with lies. Her brother, Eomer is constantly at war and Eowyn is forced to remain at home as the shadow of Mordor consumes everything she loves. Hope arrives when Gandalf arrives at Rohan and frees King Theoden from Sauron’s control. Eager to do her part in the war against Sauron, Ewoyn reluctantly remains in Edoras whilst Theoden and his men meet Sauron’s army at the Battle of Helm’s Deep. Following their victory, Theoden’s love for his niece sees him command her to remain at home as he and his warriors ride to break Sauron’s siege of Gondor. Determined not to be left behind, Eowyn disguises herself as a man and, along with the young Hobbit Merry, fights in the battle. When the Witch-King takes to the field and begins routing Theoden’s men, it is Eowyn who stands against the terrible creature and, though severely wounded, destroys him. Surviving her injuries, she is known as a hero if the War of the Ring. Eowyn serves as one of the strongest characters in Tolkien’s epic fantasy and she is known by her people for her fearlessness. Eowyn may only be human, and has no great magic or wisdom, yet her courage and perseverance allows her to fight for what she believes in and to defend those she loves. Truly, she is one of the greatest heroes Middle-Earth has ever seen.
Lucy Pevensie – The Chronicles of Narnia
Along with The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia is one of the most popular fantasy series around. The books follow the four Pevensie children as they are evacuated from London during the Second World War and find themselves discovering a magical fantasy land that’s entered through an old wardrobe. There are many great characters to love in Lewis’ charming books, from the mighty Aslan to the kindly Mr. Tumnus, but we believe it’s Lucy Pevensie who is one of Narnia’s truest heroes.
As the youngest of the four siblings, Lucy may not be particularly intimidating to look at, but she more than makes up for this with her courage, kindness, loyalty, and wisdom beyond her years. Lucy is the first of the children to discover the land of Narnia and eventually brings her siblings there, despite their initial disbelief. The children soon embark on a quest to aid Aslan in defeating the White Witch and each becomes a great hero in their own right. When the children find themselves meeting Father Christmas, he helps them by giving them an important gift each. To Peter he gives a sword and shield, to Susan he gives a bow and arrows along with a magical horn, and to Lucy he gives a small dagger and a cordial which contains a magical substance that can heal any wound. Lucy and her sister are present when Aslan is tortured and killed by the White Witch’s’ forces and the two stand vigil over him until, much to their surprise and joy, he is resurrected. In the final battle between Aslan’s forces and the White Witch’s, Lucy uses her cordial to save her wounded brothers’ life and then heals many of the other wounded soldiers. The four children were then crowned the rulers of Narnia and ushered in a peaceful reign known as Narnia’s golden age. The children would return to England, but their adventures in Narnia had only just begun. Though Lucy may not be Narnia’s greatest warrior, it is thanks to her that the land overcomes the troubles it faces and Lucy is proof that might isn’t always right.
Clarice Starling – The Silence of the Lambs
Hannibal Lecter is one of literature’s most terrifying villains and his portrayal by Anthony Hopkins in the film adaptation has made him equally feared in the world of film. Not only does Lecter crave the taste of human flesh, his genius intellect allows him to run rings around anyone who tries to get in his way, anyone except a young FBI trainee named Clarice Starling.
Clarice may not have the genius intellect of Hannibal, or the numerous qualifications the doctors who try to study him, but she posses a certain intuition that piques Hanibal’s interest and the serial killer eventually begins to see Clarice as an equal. Clarice and Hannibal may be at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to a sense of morality, at least in Silence of the Lambs, but it’s safe to say that, at the very least, Clarice earns Hannibal’s respect, something few others can claim. Clarice and Hannibal first meet when Clarice is tasked with getting Hannibal to help the police catch a serial killer who skins his victims. After a number of intense conversations, Hannibal finally gives Clarice the missing pieces she needs and she eventually tracks the killer down and kills him in self defence. Hannibal is able to free himself from his prison but, in a letter to Clarice, he seems to show a certain affection for her and, of all the people he seeks to track down and murder, she isn’t one of them. There are few people who encounter Hannibal and survive unscathed, but the fact Clarice is one of them is a testament to her character.
Coraline – Coraline
Written by Neil Gaiman, Coraline is a dark children’s story which follows a young girl named Coraline as she and her parents move into a large house which has been turned into flats. Coraline finds that the flat next to her family’s appears to be uninhabited and she discovers that the door to it has been bricked up. Many of her neighbours give her cryptic warnings not to enter the abandoned flat, but Coraline’s curiosity gets the better of her. After discovering a strange version of the real world inside the flat, Coraline quickly realises that all is not what it seems and that her other parents are malicious creatures who steal children. With the help of a nameless cat who can travel between the two worlds, Coraline rescues the souls of children who’ve come before her and manages to overcome the other world’s dark magic.
Like other characters on this list, Coraline may not be the most physically strong of characters, but she doesn’t need to be. Her curiosity may land her in trouble, but thanks to her intelligence, quick thinking, and courage, Coraline is able to outsmart her creepy other parents and even manages to save the children’s souls. Coraline may not be the sort of book for kids prone to nightmares, but for those with little ones who like a scare, it’s definitely worth picking up.
Irene Adler – Sherlock Holmes: A Scandal in Bohemia
Irene Adler may have only appeared in one of the many stories that follows the genius detective Sherlock Holmes and his faithful friend Watson, but the fact just one appearance struck such a chord with readers is a testament to what an excellent character she is. We’re used to seeing Sherlock outthink and outsmart everyone around him, but he finally meets his match in the form of the beautiful and cunning Irene Adler.
A Scandal in Bohemia sees the King of Bohemia hire Sherlock to track down and obtain a sensitive photo of himself with a beautiful singer named Irene Adler. Despite his best attempts, the King has been unable to seize the photo from Adler and, in desperation, turns to our famed detective. Holmes agrees to take on the case and tracks down Adler and tricks her into inviting him into her home. Holmes manages to locate the picture and he and Watson travel to her house the next morning to retrieve it. Unbeknownst to Holmes, Adler has seen through him and knew exactly what he was looking for. Holmes and Watson arrive to find Adler has vanished along with the picture. Adler is one of the few people to ever outwit Holmes and she leaves a lasting impression upon him. Though he only refers to her as ‘The Woman’, Watson knows that this is Holmes’ way of showing his respect and admiration for her. She is the closest thing the detective ever has to a love interest and Holmes keeps a picture of her after the case is closed. Sherlock Holmes is arguably one of the sharpest minds in literature, but even he was no match for Irene Adler.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes US
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes UK
Arya Stark – A Song of Ice and Fire
In the first book of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, Arya Stark is a young tomboy girl who would rather spend her time fighting with her older brothers than joining her sister for lessons on courtesy and needlework. The world of Westeros is dark and, after tragedy befalls house Stark, Arya begins a long journey that sees her go from a scrappy young child to a deadly warrior you seriously don’t want to mess with. She may begin life as a privileged young lady of a great noble house, but Arya soon shows she is a true survivor in a gritty world where only the strongest survive.
A Song of Ice and Fire may be set in a fantasy world, but it’s a far cry from the likes of Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings. The series is known for being rooted in the harsh reality that was medieval society and being good or righteous isn’t enough to save you, in fact, it’s most likely going to see you die horribly. Even the most powerful and strongest characters find themselves in a shallow grave in Westeros and the fact a young girl alone in the world is able to hold her own is seriously impressive. Arya was raised to understand the value of honour, honesty, and kindness, but she soon comes to realise that these ideals won’t keep you safe in a world where the weak are prayed on by the strong. We don’t want to give too much away, but Arya’s growth over the course of the books sees her go from a young girl who dreams of adventure, to a hardened, cynical killer, who understands that behind all the stories of great warriors, there’s nothing but blood and pain. You have to be seriously tough to survive in Westeros, and it’s not surprising that Arya’s courage and strength have made her one of the most popular characters among readers, we look forward to seeing how her story ends.
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