Behind his back, Blanche compares Stanley to an ape. Stanley ends up hearing these comments without Blanche realizing he is listening. Although there is nothing wrong in Blanche not liking Stanley, comparing him to an animal with contempt is uncalled for and rude. Because Blanche is saying these lines in this scene, much of the sourness that the reader feels for Stanley is redirected to Blanche. Stanley is justifiably annoyed with Blanche's actions and words against him. Blanche also comments about Stanley's drinking habit and her own bathing habits often. She knows that these topics annoy Stanley, but she still speaks of them. Stanley is justifiably annoyed by Blanche's attitude at this early stage of the play. Blanche's harsh words about Stanley make Stanley understandably annoyed with her, and he is in no regards a villain to her at this point of the play.
Despite Blanche's annoying behavior, Stanley's increasing hostility towards Blanche suggests his role in the play may be a villain, but his goal to restore his relationship with Stella may justify his actions. A traditional example of a villain is someone who is selfish, constantly tries to bring down a nemesis, and does not have regular morals. Stanley's nemesis is Blanche. Starting from the early stages of the play, there has been tension between Blanche and Stanley. In the midst of scene seven, Stanley tells Stella the information he received from Laurel about Blanche's past. Stanley explains that Blanche has had many relationships with the men in Laurel and when "they for wised up after two or three dates with her and then they quit, and she goes on to another" (Scene 7). Stanley further tells Stella about the "seventeen-year-old boy she'd gotten mixed up with" (Scene 7). Stanley's words about Blanche exemplifies him trying to bring down his nemesis, one role a villain has. Advancing to Blanche's birthday party, Stanley overreacts to Stella saying he is eating like a pig by hurling a plate, cup and saucer to the floor.
