History Analysis / CatsAreMean

Probably the biggest exception to this trope. Lions are often portrayed as heroic because of the whole KingOfBeasts thing in the Western world (Europe first and the Americas later on). The male’s mane contributes greatly to the whole KingOfBeasts thing. Lions have portrayed positively even when domestic cats (''Felis silvestris'') in Europe have been pegged as demonic familiars to witches and burned to the stakes. However, as there have been plenty of tyrannical kings throughout history and the due to the lion’s KingOfBeasts portrayal in the Western world, the two tropes have been put together at times. This often takes the form of a good king lion and an evil king lion who is a pretender to the throne.

Rarely portrayed as villainous, most likely because they do not come off as particularly "threatening" compared to other large cats.

Often portrayed as the UnpleasantAnimalCounterpart to a cheetah. They were once common predators of humans as well as other primates and, due to hunting best on moonless nights, are largely responsible for how common nyctophobia (fear of darkness) is.

In European and American culture, often depicted as sinister or at least morally ambiguous, especially when contrasted with dogs and mice. In medieval Europe, cats as a whole were assumed to be demonic, and were thus persecuted. In more recent years, this portrayal tends to vary somewhat. In general, what moral pegging a cat character is given is often [[CatStereotype dependent on its breed or its fur color]].
Persians, [[YellowPeril Siamese cats]], Sphinxes, and other stereotypically "fancy" breeds are the ones most likely to be depicted as villainous, often being shown as evil even by ''cat'' standards. Black cats also tend to be portrayed as evil in fiction, due to the superstition about them bringing bad luck. By contrast, mixed-breed cats, especially tabbies, are more likely to be good or at least neutral.

Have a similar reputation to lions in many Asian cultures. In Western works, tigers are portrayed as the UnpleasantAnimalCounterpart to lions-- if a lion and a tiger are on opposing sides, the lion will usually be the hero and the tiger will usually be the villain. There is a certain amusing irony at play here, though - a tiger's roar, considered to be much more 'vicious' compared to the lion's deep, booming roar, is often used as a StockSoundEffect to represent ''all'' big cats, including lions!

They are portrayed as [[SuperPersistentPredators Super-Persistent Predators]] that attacks you unprovoked in stories featuring them, which is not entirely TruthInTelevision. [[note]]Real life cougars are quite elusive cats, but are more likely to be docile when around humans - but not always. Exotic pet people who want to keep larger cats tend to choose cougars over actual big cats (lions, tigers, e.t.c.).[[/note]]

They are portrayed as SuperPersistentPredator that attacks you unprovoked in stories featuring them, which is not entirely TruthInTelevision. [[note]]Real life cougars are quite elusive cats, but are more likely to be docile when around humans - but not always. Exotic pet people who want to keep larger cats tend to choose cougars over actual big cats (lions, tigers, e.t.c.).[[/note]]

Kittens are also more likely to be good than adult cats, since they are seen as [[CuteKitten cute]] and harmless and therefore [[ChildrenAreInnocent innocent]]. Even works that otherwise subscribe to this trope (i.e. ''WesternAnimation/TomAndJerry'') will often make an exception for kittens.

Often portrayed as the UnpleasantAnimalCounterpart to a cheetah.

Kittens are also more likely to be good than adult cats, since they are seen as cute and harmless and therefore innocent. Even works that otherwise subscribe to this trope (i.e. ''WesternAnimation/TomAndJerry'') will often make an exception for kittens.

Have a similar reputation to lions in many Asian cultures. In Western works, tigers are portrayed as the UnpleasantAnimalCounterpart to lions-- if a lion and a tiger are on opposing sides, the lion will usually be the hero and the tiger will usually be the villain.

They are portrayed as SuperPersistentPredator that attacks you unprovoked in stories featuring them, which is not TruthInTelevision. [[note]]Real life cougars are elusive and friendly cats. Exotic pet people who want to keep larger cats tend to choose cougars over actual big cats (lions, tigers, e.t.c.).[[/note]]

Probably the biggest exception to this trope. Lions are often portrayed as heroic because of the whole KingOfBeasts thing in the Western world (Europe first and the Americas later on). The male’s mane contributes greatly to the whole KingOfBeasts thing. Lions have portrayed positively even when domestic cats (Felis silvestris) in Europe have been pegged as demonic familiars to witches and burned to the stakes. However, as there have been plenty of tyrannical kings throughout history and the due to the lion’s KingOfBeasts portrayal in the Western world, the two tropes have been put together at times. This often takes the form of a good king lion and an evil king lion who is a pretender to the throne.

They are portrayed as SuperPersistantPredator that attacks you unprovoked in stories featuring them, which is not TruthInTelevision. [[note]]Real life cougars are elusive and friendly cats. Exotic pet people who want to keep larger cats tend to choose cougars over actual big cats (lions, tigers, e.t.c.).[[/note]]

Are often portrayed as heroic because of the whole KingOfBeasts thing in the Western world (Europe first and the Americas later on). The male’s mane contributes greatly to the whole KingOfBeasts thing. Lions have portrayed positively even when domestic cats (Felis silvestris) in Europe have been pegged as demonic familiars to witches and burned to the stakes. In short, lions are one of the biggest exceptions to this trope. However, as there have been plenty of tyrannical kings throughout history and the due to the lion’s KingOfBeasts portrayal in the Western world, the two tropes have been put together at times. This often takes the form of a good king lion and an evil king lion who is a pretender to the throne.

Are often portrayed as heroic because of the whole KingOfBeasts thing in the Western world (Europe first and the Americas later on). The male’s mane contributes greatly to the whole KingOfBeasts thing. Lions have portrayed positively even when domestic cats (Felis silvestris) in Europe have been pegged as demonic familiars to witches and burned to the stakes. In short, lions are one of the biggest exceptions to this trope.
However, as there have been plenty of tyrannical kings throughout history and the due to the lion’s KingOfBeasts portrayal in the Western world, the two tropes have been put together at times. This often takes the form of a good king lion and an evil king lion who is a pretender to the throne.

Are often portrayed as heroic because of the whole KingOfBeasts thing in the Western world (Europe first and the Americas later on). The male’s mane contributes greatly to the whole KingOfBeasts thing. In short, they are one of the primary cultural exceptions to this stereotype. Lions have portrayed positively even when domestic cats/wildcats (Felis silvestris) in Europe have been pegged as demonic familiars to witches and burned to the stakes.

However, as there have been plenty of tyrannical kings throughout history and the due to the lion’s KingOfBeasts portrayal in the Western world, the two tropes have been put together at times. This often takes the form of a good king lion and an evil king lion, and the two are often brothers.

Have a similar reputation to lions in many Asian cultures.

In Western works, tigers are portrayed as the UnpleasantAnimalCounterpart to lions, to the point in some works the tiger is the villain who tries to overthrow the lion’s benevolent kingdom.

They are portrayed as a SuperPersistantPredator that attacks you unprovoked in stories featuring them, which is so not TruthInTelevision. [[note]]Real life cougars are elusive and friendly cats. Exotic pet people who want to keep larger cats tend to choose cougars over actual big cats (lions, tigers, e.t.c.).[[/note]]

!!!Wildcats (Including the Domestic Cat)

In European and American culture, often depicted as sinister or at least morally ambiguous, especially when contrasted with dogs and mice. In medieval Europe, cats as a whole were assumed to be demonic, and were thus persecuted. In more recent years, this portrayal tends to vary somewhat. Stereotypically "fancy" breeds like Persians and Siamese cats will often be depicted as evil, while mixed-breed tabby cats are more likely to be good. Kittens are also more likely to be good than adult cats, since they are seen as cute and harmless and therefore innocent. Even works that otherwise subscribe to this trope (i.e. ''WesternAnimation/TomAndJerry'') will often make an exception for kittens.

!Cats Are Mean Portrayals by Species

Are often portrayed as heroic because of the whole KingOfBeasts thing in the Western world (Europe first and the Americas later on). The male’s mane contributes greatly to the whole KingOfBeasts thing.

Lions have portrayed positively even when cats/wildcats (Felis silvestris) in Europe have been pegged as demonic familiars to witches and burned to the stakes.

Sometimes, tigers are portrayed as the UnpleasantAnimalCounterpart to lions, to the point in some works the tiger is the villain who tries to overthrow the lion’s benevolent kingdom.

They are portrayed as mean cats that attack you unprovoked in video games featuring them, which is so not TruthInTelevision. [[note]]Real life cougars are elusive and friendly cats. Exotic pet people who want to keep larger cats tend to choose cougars over actual big cats (lions, tigers, e.t.c.).[[/note]]

!!!Wildcats (Including the Domestic Cat

Traditionally, tigers were portrayed as the UnpleasantAnimalCounterpart to lions, to the point in some works the tiger is the villain who tries to overthrow the lion’s benevolent kingdom.

When the work features a lion and a tiger, the latter is often portrayed as the villain who tries to overthrow the lion’s benevolent kingdom.

Often portrayed as the UnpleasantAnimalCounterparts to cheetahs.