Too Hot to Handle

"Just like in marketing, when it comes to setting traps, it's all about branding. When Harry finally forces his way up the McAllister's front steps, he's all to smug to notice the tiny details right under his nose. As he goes to open the door, he misses the doorknob's orange glow and grabs it for the shock - or in this case, burn - of his life. He quickly crawls back down the steps and throws his hand in the snow to cool it down. When he pulls it out, he discovers the family's M branded right into his hand. The mark even follows him to the sequel, making it the only trap to permanently damage him."

- Rebecca Brayton on Harry Lime when he mistakenly touches the scorching doorknob and burns his hand. Even great villains need to look before they leap - or in this case, touch something that is hot.

In many a story, this happens when the villain is burned, scalded, or torched, especially when landing in a booby trap, defeated by the hero, or mistakenly grabs something that is hot.

The heat can harm or brand the villain, which can not only lead to his plans being thwarted, but in some cases, the brand can give the villain an opportunity to track something or someone down.

In other cases, the heat can cultivate the villain's rage, leading to his breakdown and causing him to lose his sanity.

Usually in the finale, the villain can also literally go out of the frying pan and into the fire, especially when he burns in hell or meets his doom at the wrath of the gods.

While being burned can be used as slapstick, it is often very serious.

NOteworthy Examples

 * Harry Lime goes to open the door to the McAllister's house but is burned on the hand by the scorching doorknob.
 * In a desperate attempt to escape, Taran splashes hot water into the Horned King's glowing eyes, cultivating his rage.
 * Arnold Ernst Toht snatches the medallion, which burns him on the hand. In the end, he literally goes out of the frying pan and into the fire when he's burned by the flames of the Ark of the Covenant.
 * Mowgli outwits Shere Khan by tying a fiery branch to his tail, which in turn scares him off.

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