Brutal and Sadistic:
Legree's primary characteristic is his excessive cruelty towards his slaves. He takes pleasure in inflicting physical and psychological pain on them. He whips and beats his slaves, often for trivial reasons or as punishment for disobedience. His sadism is evident in the way he relishes their suffering and sees it as a form of entertainment.
Heartless and Unfeeling:
Legree lacks any semblance of empathy or compassion. He treats his slaves as mere property and shows no concern for their well-being. His coldness extends even to his own family members, as he disregards the opinions of his kind-hearted daughter, Emmeline.
Ruthless and Greedy:
Legree's sole focus is on maximizing profits from his plantation, regardless of the human toll. He pushes his slaves to work beyond their limits and punishes them severely for any perceived laziness. His greed blinds him to the moral implications of his actions, and he is willing to engage in any means to increase his wealth.
Deceptive and Manipulative:
Legree employs deceit and manipulation to maintain control over his slaves. He uses religion as a tool to deceive them into believing that obedience to their masters is a religious duty. He is also skilled at exploiting the weaknesses and fears of his slaves to keep them in line.
Corrupt and Depraved:
Legree's character is deeply corrupt, both morally and ethically. He engages in immoral activities, such as excessive drinking, gambling, and keeping concubines. His moral degradation is evident in his lack of respect for human life and his willingness to inflict harm on others for his own gratification.
Absence of Redeeming Qualities:
Unlike some other complex characters in the novel who have redeeming qualities, Legree is devoid of any redeeming traits. He represents pure evil and lacks even a shred of goodness within him.
Through his portrayal of Simon Legree, Stowe effectively portrays the horrors of slavery and the profound impact it had on the lives of enslaved individuals. Legree's character serves as a stark contrast to the virtues of other characters, such as Uncle Tom and George Harris, highlighting the moral depravity that slavery perpetuated.