History Main / UngratefulBastard

This is true even if it's a forced EnemyMine situation, and they never even acknowledges the service rendered or is grateful, much less gets CharacterDevelopment or a change in their relationship to {{reset|Button}}. This might be done either to show how utterly evil (or at least callous) the enemy is, and [[StatusQuoIsGod avoid having the show's formula change]] with the BigBad growing unable to kill or hate someone who has saved them so often.

There are odd times nevertheless, where the lack of gratitude may be explained or even more surprisingly justified by a number of reasons that make the subject less of a bastard and more of a rational fed-up individual. For instance, who can blame characters for being "ungrateful" if they were put in danger by the good intentions of the HeroicWannabe, and whose "rescue" possibly led to their injury or destruction of their property. This becomes more understandable if the "hero" has previously antagonized or outright harmed the character, or provides or even ''forces'' UnwantedAssistance upon them. A DeathSeeker getting saved from certain death has little reason to be happy in the short term since the cause for seeking death remains unchanged, but they will come across as less scummy and indignant compared to instances like the DirtyCoward who feigns indignation at being saved to try and salvage a facade of bravery.

There are odd times nevertheless, where the lack of gratitude may be explained or even more surprisingly justified by a number of reasons that make the subject less of a bastard and more of a rational fed-up individual. For instance who can blame characters who get to pay the price because the supposedly good intentions of the HeroicWannabe left them worse than before (and possibly led to their injury or destruction of their property when neither was at stake), especially if this [[UnwantedAssistance assistance was unasked for in the first place and may have even been forced upon them?]] It also feels less dishonourable if the ungrateful character never even wished for the gift that the heroes offer them. If it's let's say a DeathSeeker who gets saved from certain death, they won't come across as quite as scummy for being indignant at being denied their chance as much as a DirtyCoward who begged and grovelled over being saved, and despite their appreciation for their life, had none for the ones who protected it, to spare. Also it won't count if its the saviour's fault that they were stuck in that situation to begin with and that's without counting the cases where they may feel that saving them once doesn't make up for all the other things that they did to them. And of course, a villain may be disinclined to feel gratitude if the help comes from someone who betrayed their enemy and feel [[RewardedAsATraitorDeserves obliged to "reward" them accordingly.]]

Contrast GrudgingThankYou, and ''definitely'' IOweYouMyLife. Probably not related to the Film/{{inglourious|Basterds}} kind. See also EntitledBastard who not only doesn't thank the heroes, but also expects them to save them anyways.

There are odd times nevertheless, where the lack of gratitude may be explained or even more surprisingly justified by a number of reasons that make the subject less of a bastard and more of a rational fed-up individual. For instance who can blame characters who get to pay the price because the supposedly good intentions of the HeroicWannabe left them worse than before (and possibly led to their injury or destruction of their property when neither was at stake), especially if this [[UnwantedAssistance assistance was unasked for in the first place and may have even been forced upon them?]] It also feels less dishonourable if the ungrateful character never even wished for the gift that the heroes offer them. If its let's say a DeathSeeker who gets saved from certain death, they won't come across as quite as scummy for being indignant at being denied their chance as much as a DirtyCoward who begged and grovelled over being saved, and despite their appreciation for their life, had none for the ones who protected it, to spare. Also it won't count if its the saviour's fault that they were stuck in that situation to begin with and that's without counting the cases where they may feel that saving them once doesn't make up for all the other things that they did to them. And of course, a villain may be disinclined to feel gratitude if the help comes from someone who betrayed their enemy and feel [[RewardedAsATraitorDeserves obliged to "reward" them accordingly.]]

Heroes save people, [[SaveTheVillain even enemies.]] What's more, if a hero saves a [[TheRival rival]] or villain enough times, you'd expect them to change their attitude towards the hero into one of at least [[TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou grudging]] respect or having [[NobleDemon honor dictate]] [[YouWillBeSpared that they]] [[IWasJustPassingThrough "owe them one".]]

Heroes don't always [[HundredPercentHeroismRating get gratitude]], [[DudeWheresMyRespect recognition]], or even a basic [[ComplainingAboutRescuesTheyDontLike "thank you"]] for their efforts, and sometimes, any thanks are patently insincere. Rivals and enemies in particular tend to treat these saves with the same gratitude for the air they breathe (read, none). And that's if they aren't actively angry at being put through [[EmbarrassingRescue the ignominy of being saved]] by [[YouRebelScum those filthy]] ''[[AllOfTheOtherReindeer freaks]],'' they'll usually [[TheFarmerAndTheViper betray]] such mercy at the first opportunity. Ungrateful Bastards. Nothing says better that someone is an irredeemable, honourless scumbag more than treating the (often unwarranted) mercy and kindness as nothing or even worse as a weakness to be exploited.

There are odd times nevertheless, where the lack of gratitude may be explained or even more surprisingly justified by a number of reasons that make the subject less of a bastard and more of a rational fed-up individual. For instance who can blame characters who get to pay the price because the supposedly good intentions of the HeroicWannabe left them worse than before (and possibly led to their injury or destruction of their property when neither was at stake), especially if this [[UnwantedAssistance assistance was unasked for in the first place and may have even been forced upon them?]] It also feels less dishonourable if the ungrateful character never even wished for the gift that the heroes offer them. If its let's say a DeathSeeker who gets saved from certain death, he won't come across as quite as scummy for being indignant at being denied his chance as much as a DirtyCoward who begged and grovelled over being saved, and despite his appreciation for his life, had none for the ones who protected it, to spare. Also it won't count if its the saviour's fault that they were stuck in that situation to begin with and that's without counting the cases where they may feel that saving them once doesn't make up for all the other things that they did to them. And of course, a villain may be disinclined to feel gratitude if the help comes from someone who betrayed their enemy and feel [[RewardedAsATraitorDeserves obliged to "reward" them accordingly.]]

This is true even if it's a forced EnemyMine situation, and he never even acknowledges the service rendered or is grateful, much less gets CharacterDevelopment or a change in their relationship to {{reset|Button}}. This might be done either to show how utterly evil (or at least callous) the enemy is, and [[StatusQuoIsGod avoid having the show's formula change]] with the BigBad growing unable to kill or hate someone who has saved them so often.

[[quoteright:350:[[ComicBook/JackKirbysFantasticFour https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rco010_1468807651.jpg]]]]

There are odd times nevertheless, where the lack of gratitude may be explained or even more surprisingly justified by a number of reasons that make the subject less of a bastard and more of a rational fed-up individual. For instance who can blame characters who get to pay the price because the supposedly good intentions of the HeroicWannabe left them worse than before (and possibly led to their injury or destruction of their property when neither was at stake), especially if this [[UnwantedAssistance assistance was unasked for in the first place and may have even been forced upon them?]] It also feels less dishonourable if the ungrateful character never even wished for the gift that the heroes offer them. If its let's say a DeathSeeker who gets saved from certain death, he won't come across as quite as scummy for being indignant at being denied his chance as much as a DirtyCoward who begged and grovelled over being saved, and despite his appreciation for his life, had none for the ones who protected it, to spare. Also it won't count if its the saviour's fault that they were stuck in that situation to begin with and that's without counting the cases where they may feel that saving them once doesn't make up for all the other things that they did to them.

Contrast GrudgingThankYou, and ''definitely'' IOweYouMyLife. Probably not related to the Film/{{inglourious|Basterds}} kind. See also EntitledBastard.

* UngratefulBastard/{{Other}}

See also NeverAcceptedInHisHometown for cases where the hero's own people act like this, UngratefulTownsfolk for people who carry it to the point of outright hostility or betrayal, WhatHaveYouDoneForMeLately for people being particularly blunt about their lack of gratitude, and ZeroApprovalGambit for situations where the hero ''wants'' to be disliked.

!! Other examples

[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Religion and Mythology]]
* Literature/TheBible – particularly the Gospels – contain many parables and passages about gratitude:
** '''Luke 17:11-19''' is the story of Jesus cleansing ten lepers, but only one of them – a Samaritan – thinks to thank Jesus and praise Him. While Jesus has plenty of praise for the one who did show his gratitude, He is highly offended at the nine who didn't: "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And He said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
** '''Matthew 18: 21-35''' tells the story of the unmerciful servant. Here, the ruler of a kingdom demands that a lowly servant repay all his debts – 10,000 talents, several ''billion'' dollars by modern standards – immediately or face imprisonment and torture. The servant begs for mercy and more time to repay the debt, which moves the king enough to cancel the debt altogether. Not long thereafter, the servant encounters one of his debtors, who owes him 100 denarii, which is maybe a few months' rent by modern standards. Likewise, the man's friend says he doesn't have the money and begs for time to collect the money to repay the debt, but the servant refuses to ease up on him and has him badly beaten. The king learns of this incident, summons the servant and screams at him, "You wicked servant. I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?" Jesus – who again weaves this parable – then explains that the king rescinded his pardon and had the servant jailed and tortured until the debt could be repaid (which would be... never). His entire point was that good Christians show mercy and gratitude.
** '''Matthew 20:1-16''' is about laborers in the vineyard. Here, the owner of the vineyard hires workers in stages, paying them all an identical sum at the end of the day, regardless of how many hours they worked, whether for several hours or just a few minutes. The workers who received their denarius for working only a short time are thankful, but those who worked all day in scorching heat and without breaks complain when they are given the same denarius. The master, sensing that his worker(s) are ungrateful for what they view as meager pay, replies, "Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?" Jesus' point, aside from gratuity, is one He makes several times in the Gospels: "The last will be first, and the first last." (Matthew 20:16).
* In Myth/ClassicalMythology, Medea sacrificed ''everything'' she had for Jason, and saved the citizens of Corinth from a famine. The Corinthians tried to get Jason to dump her and her children, and Jason went with it. As Medea was a demigoddess with enormous skill and power, [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge they paid dearly for it]], with Jason's punishment being so bad that [[EvenEvilHasStandards Hera, goddess of marriage, the patron divinity Jason had spurned by abandoning Medea, and rightly infamous for her sadistic punishments against Zeus' lovers, couldn't find anything more to add aside from]] [[CruelMercy letting him live with it]].
[[/folder]]

Heroes don't always [[HundredPercentHeroismRating get gratitude]], [[DudeWheresMyRespect recognition]], or even a basic [[ComplainingAboutRescuesTheyDontLike "thank you"]] for their efforts, and sometimes, any thanks are patently insincere. Rivals and enemies in particular tend to treat these saves with the same gratitude for the air they breathe (read, none). And that's if they aren't actively angry at being put through [[EmbarrassingRescue the ignominy of being saved]] by [[YouRebelScum those filthy]] ''[[AllOfTheOtherReindeer freaks]],'' they'll usually [[TheFarmerAndTheViper betray]] such mercy at the first opportunity. Ungrateful Bastards. Nothing says better that someone is an irredeemable, honourless scumbag more than treating the (often unwarranted) mercy and kindness as nothing or even worse as a weakness to be exploited. There are odd times nevertheless, where the lack of gratitude may be explained or even more surprisingly justified by a number of reasons that make the subject less of a bastard and more of a rational fed-up individual. For instance who can blame characters who get to pay the price because
the supposedly good intentions of the HeroicWannabe left them worse than before (and possibly led to their injury or destruction of their property when neither was at stake), especially if this [[UnwantedAssistance assistance was unasked for in the first place and may have even been forced upon them?]] It also feels less dishonourable if the ungrateful character never even wished for the gift that the heroes offer them. If its let's say a DeathSeeker who gets saved from certain death, he won't come across as quite as scummy for being indignant at being denied his chance as much as a DirtyCoward who begged and grovelled over being saved, and despite his appreciation for his life, had none for the ones who protected it, to spare. Also it won't count if its the saviour's fault that they were stuck in that situation to begin with and that's without counting the cases where they may feel that saving them once doesn't make up for all the other things that they did to them.

Heroes don't always [[HundredPercentHeroismRating get gratitude]], [[DudeWheresMyRespect recognition]], or even a basic [[ComplainingAboutRescuesTheyDontLike "thank you"]] for their efforts, and sometimes, any thanks are patently insincere. Rivals and enemies in particular tend to treat these saves with the same gratitude for the air they breathe (read, none). And that's if they aren't actively angry at being put through [[EmbarrassingRescue the ignominy of being saved]] by [[YouRebelScum those filthy]] ''[[AllOfTheOtherReindeer freaks]],'' they'll usually [[TheFarmerAndTheViper betray]] such mercy at the first opportunity. Ungrateful Bastards. Nothing says better that someone is an irredeemable, honourless scumbag more than treating the (often unwarranted) mercy and kindness as nothing or even worse as a weakness to be exploited. There are odd times nevertheless, where the lack of gratitude may be explained or even more surprisingly justified by a number of reasons that make the subject less a bastard and more a rational fed-up individual. For instance who can blame characters who get to pay the price because

the supposedly good intentions of the HeroicWannabe left them worse than before (and possibly led to their injury or destruction of their property when neither was at stake), especially if this [[UnwantedAssistance assistance was unasked for in the first place and may have even been forced upon them?]] It also feels less dishonourable if the ungrateful character never even wished for the gift that the heroes offer them. If its let's say a DeathSeeker who gets saved from certain death, he won't come across as quite as scummy for being indignant at being denied his chance as much as a DirtyCoward who begged and grovelled over being saved, and despite his appreciation for his life, had none for the ones who protected it, to spare.