Carmilla and Hedda are sympathetic figures and villains because both women are living lives that they did not chose for themselves, and the women are villains because they take on revenge on people instead of accepting their new lives. In the story, “Hedda Gabler,” Hedda hates that she settled down with someone, who does not show excitement in their lives, and she believes she should have more money and gifts in her life because of how her father raised her to have high standards. By Hedda having high standards, she starts to resent Tesman for being a man, who handles his business at work, but he cannot make her happy at home. So, she starts to shut down from the world, including people, who only wants her happy. Hedda is a sympathetic