I know im probably gonna piss off a lot of people with this opinion but I honestly thinks Stolas is one of the best hellaverse character’s. He stands as a rare, messy middle ground. Unlike most characters that are easily defined as heroic or villainous, good or bad, Stolas is a written in flawed and realistic way.
He starts out as this power, rich, prince, trope, then begins an agonizingly slow process of unlearning toxic behaviors. He is simultaneously a powerful Goetia and a vulnerable soul struggling with fatherhood, his status as a Goetia, and intimacy. He continues making questionable choices, failing often, but pushes through as the story progresses. His emotions, story, decisions, and reactions are honestly deeply relatable. He can be a badass, a protector or a clumsy romantic.
This complexity makes him more than just a one note character, he’s a character that really represents growth through difficult times in life. He isn't a hero or a villain, he’s a flawed father and lover navigating the messy wreckage of an arranged marriage and a questionable power imbalanced romance. It’s messy, imperfect, but that’s what makes him feel much more real to me than most of the other characters.
I’m not here making this post to say “I am right and you better agree or you can shove it”, my opinion and anyone else’s opinions are valid and you are entitled to how you interpret character. That’s why I like him so much. He’s so complicated that people can interpret him in so many ways! Some people thinks he’s a straight villain, others thinks he’s a full out good guy, some thinks he’s an antagonist, others think he’s full victim.
I don’t think there is a right or wrong with way to interpret his character, that’s just the beauty of him. Everyone sees him differently, just like in the show.❤️