Top 10 Female Villains in literature.

"They say even the proudest spirit can be broken, with love."

The Other Mother, also known as the Beldam, is, in my opinion, the greatest female villain in literature of all time. While not as epic, smart or powerful as some of the other characters on this list, The Other Mother is number 1 due to her impact on the reader. She was beautifully written, becoming a character children enjoy, and terrifying fully grown adults. Literally eating the lives of her victims, The Beldam has been the focus of many theories, and is one of the most psychologically terrifying villains ever.

One of the most intelligent, malicious, developed and intriguing characters of all time, Marisa Coulter is as evil as it gets. The highest ranking female on Big Bad Reads greatest villains, Mrs Coulter is so powerful her influence spreads throughout the Multiverse. Yet, outside of her soul existing outside her body in the form of a golden monkey, Marisa has no powers. Relying on her brains and beauty alone, nothing stands in her way. Her corruption is so deep even the Regent of heaven, Metatron, could not sense any good in her.

Queen of Charn and Empress of Narnia,Jadis is another contender for most powerful character on this list. Originally Queen of the dying world Charn, Jadis single-handidly killed all other inhabitants of the planet, including her sister, to win an eventually meaningless war. Freezing herself in time for 1000 years, Jadis escaped to earth just before her universes Destruction with the unwilling help of Digory kirke and Polly plummer. She would go onto become the first Evil in the new world of Narnia, ascending to godhood after devouring a silver apple. Following 900 years of exile, the witch seized control of Narnia for 100 years, even banishing Santa Claus, before her defeat at the hands of the sons of adam and daughters of eve, and her arch foe Aslan. Even this was not truly the end of Jadis, who could return via magical ritual. A Sadistic and powerful Villain, Jadis is arguably the most ancient and evil of them all. Arguably.

One of the main antagonists of the Harry Potter franchise, Bellatrix Lestrange is Voldemort's right hand woman, and most trusted follower. Murderous and Sociopathic, Bella is responsible for just as much carnage as her master. Torturing Frank and Alice longbottom to insanity, Killing Nymphodora Tonks and Sirius Black and dobby, torturing Hermione and nearly killing Luna and Ginny, Bella is by far the most dangerous character outside of the dark lord himself, and has directly and indirectly played major parts in the overall storyline. Beat that Umbridge.

A primordial being of pure darkness taken spider form, Ungoliant is perhaps the most powerful and dangerous being on this list. A Major villain in the hobbit prequal, The Silmarillion, Ungoliant originally served with Melkor, before shifting her allegiances to herself. Aiding the dark lord in the destruction of the two tree's, Ungoliant later attacked him when he refused to give her the silmarills. It took literal demons (Known as Balrogs) to fight her off. Her desire for light became so strong she eventually devoured herself, but not before breeding. Her most famous offspring is Shelob.

Described as the most dangerous woman in westeros, Cercei lannister is one of the most explored villains in history. Political, ambitious, murderous and possibly even sociopathic, Cercei is a talented temptress and Queen. With her portrayel by lena headey winning several awards, her charcter has only grown in popularity. Although known for her incestous relationship with her brother Jaime, Cercei is far more than that.

A terrifying teacher, Miss Trunchbull is one of the most brutal and cruel teachers ever in any work of fiction. Murdering her brother, abusing her niece and terrorising school children, Agatha is terrifying, because although she is not real, there could be someone just like her. Eventually scared away fror good by Matilda, Miss Trunchbull had a lasting affect both on the characters within the book, and the readers.

Often confused with the Red Queen from the sequal, "Through the looking glass", the Queen of hearts is a major obstacle Alice faces during her initial journey across Wonderland. Loud, Rude, Violent and impatient, The Queen of Hearts represents "blind and aimless fury." While less of a villain, and more an obstacle that must be overcome, the Queen of hearts rose to prominence following Disney's Alice in Wonderland. Although far from capable in her own right, the command The Queen has over her subjects makes her one of the most dangerous individuals Alice faces.

Made popular through her various film adaptations, most notably Disney's Snow White, The Evil Queen (also known as queen Grimhilde), is one of thee most malicious and petty villains of all time. In the original tale, the story of snow white is MUCH darker. Instead of being Snow's stepmother, The Queen in the original tale Is her mother. Becoming so jealous of her daughter she could no longer bare it, The Queen ordered her murder. She went so far as to eat what she believed as her daughters organs: She's a cannibal! Realising her mistake, the Queen attempted to kill Snow again and again, eventually reaching her most successful scheme: the poisoned apple. Following Snow's return, her mother was invited to the wedding, but then forced to dance in red hot shoes until she died! A fitting death? Highlighting the horror's literature contains, The Evil Queen is a manifestation of Envy, and one of the greatest female villains of all time.

The main antagonist of L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", the wicked witch is the classic interpretation of a malevolent Hag. Although most well known due to Margret Hamilton's portrayal, The Witch was actually very different in the books. She had no relation to Wicked Witcch of the East, and did not have green skin. However, the Witch was still every much the villain we all know and love to hate, and terrified the small children who discovered her.