Sweeney Todd
Overview
Sweeney Todd is a fictional character who first appeared as then antagonist
of the Victorian
penny dreadful
The String of Pearls
(1846–1847) and he was later introduced as an antihero in the broadway musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and its film adaptation. Claims that Sweeney Todd was a historical person are strongly disputed by scholars, although there are possible legendary prototypes.
In the original version of the tale, Todd is a barber who dispatches his victims by pulling a lever while they are in his barber chair, which makes them fall backward down a revolving trapdoor into the basement of his shop, generally causing them to break their necks or skulls.
Antagonist
An antagonist is a character, group of characters, or institution, that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend...
of the Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
penny dreadful
Penny Dreadful
A penny dreadful was a type of British fiction publication in the 19th century that usually featured lurid serial stories appearing in parts over a number of weeks, each part costing an penny...
The String of Pearls
The String of Pearls
The String of Pearls: A Romance is the title of a fictional story first published as a penny dreadful serial 1846-47. The main antagonist of the story is the infamous Sweeney Todd, "the Demon Barber of Fleet Street", who here makes his literary debut....
(1846–1847) and he was later introduced as an antihero in the broadway musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and its film adaptation. Claims that Sweeney Todd was a historical person are strongly disputed by scholars, although there are possible legendary prototypes.
In the original version of the tale, Todd is a barber who dispatches his victims by pulling a lever while they are in his barber chair, which makes them fall backward down a revolving trapdoor into the basement of his shop, generally causing them to break their necks or skulls.
Quotations
"Swing your razor wide, Sweeney! Hold it to the skies! Freely flows the blood of those Who moralize!" 
Ensemble (The Ballad of Sweeney Todd)
"Do they think that walls can hide you even when I'm at your window I am in the dark beside you buried sweetly in your yellow hair."
Anthony Hope (Johanna)
"The Blood of Jesus Christ His Son Cleanseth Us from All Sins." - Inscription
"At last! My arm is complete again!"
Sweeney Todd (My Friends)
"I want you bleeders."
Sweeney Todd (Epiphany)