So, a couple of friends told me I should do the Fifteen Rogues Tag because I like rogues. To which I say, excuse you, I like ethically complicated outright bastards*, thank you very much. But a rogue is occasionally fun, too, and these are good questions, so why not?
The Rogue Tag was originally created by JeremyFee on YouTube, and I heard about it from Amrita, when she did it on her channel, Amrita by the Book. Go check out both their BookTube channels to hear their answers and get more bookish goodness!
*in fiction
QUESTIONS:
Q1: Moll Flanders: In what ways do you feel socio-economic status influences the lives of rogues?
Well, it definitely makes life easier if you have money and class behind you, but roguishness is a state of mind. So, the impact of socio-economic status is really in what kind of you rogue you are. Are you a wealthy rogue who can indulge every vice without a care? Or are you a scrappy rogue of the people, flying by the seat of your pants but managing to have a grand time anyway? (Personally, I tend to prefer the latter.)
Q2: Cat-Woman: How important do you think it is for a rogue to be athletic, acrobatic, and charming?
Okay, I’m just going to echo Amrita’s answer here. Charm is a MUST. Otherwise, you’re really just a thug, aren’t you? But the rest is negotiable. Take Georgette Heyer’s historical romances for example – many of her heroes are charming rogues, but some of them are indolent men of fashion, while others are sporting Corinthians. It takes all sorts!
Q3: Kvothe: Do you feel a rogue should have musical skills: singing, playing an instrument, or dancing?
No? I mean, it’s not something that strikes me as particularly roguish or un-roguish. I know this often comes up (in movies, especially), where the hero suddenly charms the heroine with a ballad or a steamy encounter on the dance floor (*cough*Zorro*cough), but it’s not a must and can be hit-or-miss, depending on the story.
Q4: The Musketeers: Do you believe in a code of honor or justice, even when breaking the rules?
Am I the rogue now? Because yes, I like to think I do. And so do my beloved scoundrels! André-Louis from Scaramouche, Locke from The Lies of Locke Lamora, and Kaz from Six of Crows, etc. etc., will all do some pretty wild and terrible things to serve their own purposes, but they are all guided by an internal logic – their own, admittedly twisted moral compass. But just because their compasses may not point to the same North as yours doesn’t mean they don’t have ’em!
Q5: Maverick: When doing roguish things, do you prefer to act alone or in a group?
Listen, there is no trope I enjoy more than a merry band of rogues – especially if they’re out to get justice for the little guy (what can I say? diehard Robin Hood fangirl here), but personally? I do a single act.
Q6: Star Lord: Do you have a fun alias or nickname you go by?
My friends call me various derivations of Becca – B, Becs, etc. (If anyone calls me Becky, though, I will hunt you down.) Does that count? I’ve also been called a blonde Wednesday Addams, which I’m not mad about.
Q7: Loki: Have you ever played pranks on your family members?
I have tried, but it always went badly, so I think I’ve learned my lesson. 😅
Q8: Debbie Ocean: Do you have any infamous family members or friends?
Hello! I am a Southern gal from the Bible Belt. If we’re doing it right, nobody’s ever going to know our salacious family secrets. Shhhhh.
Q9: Han Solo: Have you ever used secret compartments or hiding places for things? If so, what?
When I was a kid, I had this big antique dresser with a massive mirror in my room, and I took to hiding my journal in the space between the back of the mirror and its wooden support beams. But that didn’t last long because, well, I was lazy, no one was really looking to snoop through my journal anyway, and also, spiders would hide back there. I know. Sometimes my own practicality disappoints me, too.
Q10: Indiana Jones: Do you have an iconic item, such as a hat or whip, that people know you by?
I usually wear a baseball cap when I’m out and about. Does that count? It’s really more for comfort than for fashion, though – the sun can be brutal in these parts.
Q11: Captain Jack Sparrow: Was there a time that you were almost caught doing something, but got away?
Alas, I tend to get caught. But then, I’m also a goody two-shoes, so maybe I’m just not trying hard enough?
Q12: Doctor Who: How likely are you to run and hide if there’s something scary in your life?
I tend to set my jaw and tough it out. Which can serve me well, when necessary, but sometimes it means I don’t know when to walk away and just end up hurting myself by staying in a bad situation. I had this one job in college that was just a really bad situation – toxic environment, mismanagement, coworkers in crises, etc., and it tore me up pretty good. Sticking it out only hurt me and turned me into someone I did not like, and years later, I still wish I had followed my gut and walked away instead of convincing myself I should stay because leaving would just make things harder on my coworkers. Still, I did learn one hard lesson: no one deserves your support and care more than YOU. If you’re not looking out for yourself, you can’t support anyone else, either.
Q13: River Song: Do you call other people endearing nicknames?
I have nicknames for family members, but with friends, I usually stick with their names or maybe their first initial. I have nothing against nicknames – I rather like them – but it’s just not something that comes naturally to me. And I never want to give someone a nickname if they’re not into it.
Q14: Captain Jack Harkness: Have you had any near-death experiences?
Well, I was pretty convinced I was gonna die when I had to drive my friend to this sketchy impound lot to get her car in the middle of the night. Not only was the lot itself remote and suspicious, but just getting there was a wild ride. The navigation app wasn’t up-to-date with all the construction going on in the area, so we kept circling around a busy highway (again, in the middle of the night), then down dark wooded roads, trying to find the place! All while hoping our phone batteries didn’t run out. Luckily, we made it out alive, and I earned ALL the friends points for getting her there and not turning back at any of the points I expected a monster/serial killer to jump out at us. (Never. Again.)
Q15: In all of literature, who is your favorite rogue?
Well, I think I’ve already given this away, but there can be only one right? When it comes to true rogues, it’s got to be Robin Hood. He’s funny, he’s daring, he’s smart, and he also happens to have a big ol’ heart. Which is why he has mine!
I know this got pretty long, but the questions were just so much fun to answer! Thanks for sticking with me, and if you enjoyed it – consider yourself tagged! Answer in the comments or on your own platform, and let me know, so I can hear all your roguish opinions!
–b
Book It With Becca 