Shoulder Imp

A Shoulder Imp (more commonly refered to as either an "Imp" or "Devil") is a symbolic villain and a stock character in works of fiction - alongside their moral counterpart, the Angel.

A Shoulder Imp manifests on the shoulder of the protagonist when they experience moments of jealousy or rage and attempt to manipulate them into doing wrong, whilst the Angel attempts to steer them on a more ethical train of thought.

The Shoulder Imp symbolizes the darkness within all of us and although often depicted as cartoonish in appearance it is always a dangerous and ultimately self-destructive force, often the protagonist will side with the Shoulder Imp for a short while until they see how their misdeeds are affecting others: at which point they normally side with the Angel and banish the Shoulder Imp (who often vanishes in a puff of smoke or hellfire).

Due to their conflicting nature the Shoulder Imp and the Angel continually quarrel with one another, symbolic of the protagonist's own battle with their inner-demons.