Thread:LucidPigeons/@comment-26884760-20160416174333/@comment-1705775-20160416211452

Philip is no pervert, he's just a misogynist and petty enough to consider rape an acceptable way to let off personal frustrations.. he wanted Edward to make him money again and blamed her for his failings, so when he got the chance he decidd to beat her up and since she was a "hooker" he wanted to make some stupid point.

I wouldn't call him a symbolic villain though, there are a billion slimy business types like him and his role was more to add some drama to the film (like most villains).