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Bill W

Bill W 62,918
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The word tormented traces its roots back to the Latin word the verb torquere and noun tormentum originally referred to something operated by twisting, such as a medieval catapult (an engine for hurling stones). Because twisting was used to inflict pain, it later expanded to mean an instrument of torture or the rack.  This Latin concept evolved into the Old French verb tormenter (meaning to torture, oppress, or agitate).  Around the 13th and 14th centuries, the word entered Middle English as tormenten. At this time, it took on the broader meaning of causing extreme physical or mental suffering, distress, or vexation.  By adding the -ed suffix, "tormented" became a participial adjective, describing a state of severe, ongoing anguish or a mind distressed by persistent agony.  The noun torque and the act of torture share this exact same linguistic origin, both fundamentally describing the concept of a violent twisting motion. 

According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the adjective tormented was first recorded in English in 1552. The earliest known usage appears in the writings of the English lexicographer Richard Huloet.  If you are curious about the verb and noun forms ("to torment" or "torment" as an act of agony), those date much further back and are documented in the OED as originating in Middle English (circa 1290).  
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Bill W

Bill W 62,918
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Posted (edited)

The tormented concept in storytelling is the ultimate engine for character growth, reader empathy, and thematic depth.  By subjecting characters to deep psychological or physical anguish, storytellers strip away facades, force impossible choices, and compel characters to evolve to overcome adversity. 

The importance of the tormented or suffering character archetype rests in several core storytelling functions: 
Revealing True Character: As noted by Jericho Writers, a character's true nature is exposed during times of extreme crisis. Torment tests a protagonist's moral compass, pushing them to confront their inner flaws and deepest fears.  
Building Deep Empathy: When audiences witness a character in distress, it triggers neurological responses associated with survival and connection. Readers relate to psychological disruption because it mirrors the human struggle to make sense of personal trauma. 
Driving Plot and Escalation: The hyperbolic writing advice to "torture your characters" essentially means complicating their goals and making their consequences costly. This continuous escalation of tension and obstacles propels the plot forward, forcing characters to adapt.  
Exploring Universal Themes: Suffering serves as a measuring stick that proves a character's resilience and capability. It allows authors to tackle existential or moral questions and demonstrate how individuals weather life's inevitable chaos. 
 
However, there are limits to character torment and you should be cautioned that excessive, gratuitous, or implausible suffering can alienate audiences or lead to reader fatigue.  Meaningful torment must be balanced with agency, moments of rest, and earned triumphs so the narrative remains engaging. 
Edited by Bill W
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