Eyepatch - sexy or scary?

[c.e.lawson]

As the thread title already said: Eyepatch - sexy or scary?

Discuss. :D


Actually, a little background - the character I'm considering giving an eyepatch to is a male in ancient Sparta - introduced in his early twenties, but takes a more prominent role later in the story in his thirties. He's not a bad guy and will be a temporary love interest of my main character.

Thanks,

c.e.

[Jynical]

If there's an eye behind the patch, sexy.

If there's a gaping hole behind the patch, scary. ;)

[c.e.lawson]

Thanks, Jynical,

I hear you. There's no hole, but the eye has to be damaged enough to be blinded - he has a scar through his brow down to his cheek, so it's not going to be pretty.

[shameless]

I know I'm odd, but I keep picturing Kurt Russell in Captain Ron. :roll:

[shokadh]

I met a guy a long time ago who was rugged, ruddy and muscular--not at all bad-looking and he had a tragic accident when he was about 22 years old. A horse kicked him in the head, resulting in the loss of his right eye. He wore and eye patch after that and I couldn't get over the fact that it added such a mysterious charm to his face, but he obviously did not see it this way. His life descended into a world of alcohol and drugs for several years after and when I saw him next, his face showed the effect of it. He was no longer handsome and ruddy. His cheeks had a hollow, sunken-in look and his skin was riddled with purplish sores. He looked like the walking dead, to be honest, and the only reason I even recognized him was because of the eye-patch. It was a tragedy.

[dragonjax]

If there's an eye behind the patch, sexy.

If there's a gaping hole behind the patch, scary. ;)

This sums it up beautifully.

[girlyswot]

Doesn't do it for me, I'm afraid. I'd always be imagining what was behind the patch - and it would be bound to be Much Worse than the real thing. Plus there's also something a bit creepy about it - like he's hiding something. Definitely not sexy.

[scarletpeaches]

I would just like to say:

"YARR!"

[LaurieD]

Thanks, Jynical,

I hear you. There's no hole, but the eye has to be damaged enough to be blinded - he has a scar through his brow down to his cheek, so it's not going to be pretty.

Scars are okay, as long as some kind of major deformity isn't involved. I second the others regarding the eye - it should still be there, whether it can see or not, otherwise it's gross. If your guy is studly and otherwise good enough to eat, he could carry the facial scar you mention and the eye patch, IMO.

[Jynical]

"No hole" is good... although, it could be useful space. Eye Socket Feng Shui for Dummies. ;)

Seriously though... in the right context, patches can be intriguing.

[Jenny]

Would a Spartan have worn an eyepatch if the eye was still there? I mean, practically, a patch would stop stuff falling into an empty socket, but would a Spartan try to hide an honourable scar if the eye was there?

The idea of an eyepatch isn't sexy to me unless used in the pirate manner of covering a healthy eye for the purpose of increasing the speed with which the eyes adjusted to the dim lighting below deck. Then the eyepatch is sexy because the eye under it can wink at you ;)

[scarletpeaches]

Eyepatch = makes me wonder if maggots would crawl out of the socket were I to take a peek behind it.

[lmz]

Is there any eye underneath it? That would be my determining factor.

[c.e.lawson]

Eyepatch = makes me wonder if maggots would crawl out of the socket were I to take a peek behind it.

I think the maggots would slip on out whether or not you peeked, so no surprise there.

[scarletpeaches]

It's a tight-fitting eyepatch and the maggots are weak.

[Lucy Joseph]

In real life: scary. In fiction: potentially intriguing. I think there is a difference.

[c.e.lawson]

Would a Spartan have worn an eyepatch if the eye was still there? I mean, practically, a patch would stop stuff falling into an empty socket, but would a Spartan try to hide an honourable scar if the eye was there?

The idea of an eyepatch isn't sexy to me unless used in the pirate manner of covering a healthy eye for the purpose of increasing the speed with which the eyes adjusted to the dim lighting below deck. Then the eyepatch is sexy because the eye under it can wink at you ;)

I bolded your excellent point, Jenny. I have a feeling a Spartan soldier might not. But this character is a helot slave and the house servant of a Spartan woman who insists that he wear it.

I like the way you think! Thanks.

c.e.

[PortableHal]

In contemporary fiction, not scary, not sexy. Silly.

[Horseshoes]

Try two eye payches.
Or maybe this is a case where more is not better.

[shokadh]

Try two eye payches.
Or maybe this is a case where more is not better.

He was a doubly-honoured Spartan

[c.e.lawson]

shokadh - what a sad story. I'm sorry about your friend. But I love your phrase "...I couldn't get over the fact that it added such a mysterious charm to his face." Depending on the entire package -I agree.

shameless - you're only a little odd. But well-loved, from what I see around here. ;)

girlyswot - Plus there's also something a bit creepy about it - like he's hiding something. But that's the entire purpose of the patch, my dear - to hide something. LOL.

LaurieD - If your guy is studly and otherwise good enough to eat, he could carry the facial scar you mention and the eye patch, IMO.
I agree with this. :)

Imz - yes, his eye is still there, although scarred.

PortableHal - In contemporary fiction, not scary, not sexy. Silly. Yes. Fortunately my story takes place in 450 B.C.

Horseshoes - Try two eye payches.
Or maybe this is a case where more is not better.
OK, now we're just getting silly. :D

Thanks for your input, everyone. I've got a lot to think about now.

c.e.

[lmz]

i would say that...why have an eye patch at all? wouldn't the scar add the mysterious, sexy, and somewhat scary element all on its own? how did he get it? it would keep the other characters guessing (and the reader)

[fringle]

scary

[trocadero]

eye patch = scary. scar = can be hunky

I really like a person's eyes. They tell so much about a person. A pair of gorgeous eyes can make up for a lot of other things.... I'd hate to see one missing.

[Stlight]

In this day and age you'd have to have a reason why he didn't have a 'replacement' eye from a surgeon. Didn't like the way it felt? Philopsophical reasons? My favorite is no insurance, or the insurance company said no and handed over the patch.

My own take is the Van Hussen shirt model. Anyone else remember him/them? Cute to hot guys, neat, clean, looked like they had money. I guess they did the ads were in the New Yorker magazine back in the day.

[Shamrockgreen]

As the thread title already said: Eyepatch - sexy or scary?

Discuss. :D


Actually, a little background - the character I'm considering giving an eyepatch to is a male in ancient Sparta - introduced in his early twenties, but takes a more prominent role later in the story in his thirties. He's not a bad guy and will be a temporary love interest of my main character.

Thanks,

c.e.

Does they guy look like Orlando Bloom? or Ernest Borgnine?
Orlando sexy
Ernest scary

[SilverPhoenix]

Eyepatch = at least your MC won't be doing any cliche staring into his gorgeous eyes :tongue

[cooeedownunder]

I have never thought of it as sexy, but if the reason is not known of why he wears this patch or even if it is, I think it could make your female charachter very curious as to what he has been through and provide her a sense of empathy for his loss. I think if she sees that patch removed, and it is something he does relucatantly, which I could see the case, that it could provide a tender moment between them, when he reveals his true self - no eye and all -

[blacbird]

Depends on what the eyepatch is covering.

caw

[Unique]

sexy.

[Phaedo]

scaringly sexy.

[Tocotin]

If he is sexy overall, personality and everything, why should an eyepatch matter?

[Robin]

http://www.poptower.com/images/db/883/420/300/stephen-nichols.jpg

Anyone remember Steve, aka Patch, from Days of Our Lives? God, I'm so old...

[skunkmelon]

Sexy. But I qualify that with the information that I've always loved pirates. So, it's a particular bias. In the 300, the narrator loses an eye. How was that handled, again? A rag tied around his head? I can't remember, I was too busy drooling over Gerard. *sigh*

Jen

[IdiotsRUs]

Sexy:

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n83/spinynorman_2006/039_22276-1.jpg

It's got 'bad boy' vibe alllll over it. :D

[sassandgroove]

As the thread title already said: Eyepatch - sexy or scary?

Discuss. :D


Actually, a little background - the character I'm considering giving an eyepatch to is a male in ancient Sparta - introduced in his early twenties, but takes a more prominent role later in the story in his thirties. He's not a bad guy and will be a temporary love interest of my main character.

Thanks,

c.e.A little of both? Isn't that what makes it sexy? That it's a little scary, yet intrigueing.

Sorry I haven't read the whole thread, that is my gut response. :)

[Adam]

I'd say sexy, as long as he doesn't lift it up! :)

[sassandgroove]

OK I am caught up now and may I say...Mmmmm.....
http://www.poptower.com/images/db/883/420/300/stephen-nichols.jpg

Anyone remember Steve, aka Patch, from Days of Our Lives? God, I'm so old...

[Team 2012]

In the sadly late George MacDonald Frazier's "Flashman Among The Indians" his main female character--a "femme fatale" in the strictest sense of the word--wears and eyepatch and it's definitely sexy.

[wannawrite]

I have no opinion whatsoever. But you guys crack me up. I end up laughing my a** off every time I sign onto AW. Maggots? Really? Where did that come from? Oops. I see. Left field, of course. Keep it up, guys. The advice is good, and makes for fun reading. :)

[Lyra Jean]

I know I'm odd, but I keep picturing Kurt Russell in Captain Ron. :roll:

That would make it sexy right? :D

[Lamia]

"Gaping hole" mostly has an eww, gross! factor, but the mere question "Eyepatch - Sexy or Scary" is taking it out of context.
I think the real question is: how good are you selling it to the reader?
Or how good are we "selling" a physically flawed romantic male or female lead? Can we make the imperfection work for us?
JR Ward's scarred Zsadist comes to mind. I was totally into that scarred hero.
And how about "flaws" that aren't physical? Black-souled/ black-hearted heroes, fascinating gamma males? (Anne Stuart is a master :) ).

[Phaedo]

gamma males? nice!


Hey, c.e. I found this for you.
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3533636&postcount=12

the third sentence says it all.