Question I've been bothered with. How do you define a monster? Tahm and Eve are the best examples in League I can think of because they are physical manifestations of evil, but that's too easy. What makes a monster and what makes a man? Is Aatrox a monster? We clearly see him pushed into his current mindset. Is Jhin a monster or do we just consider him insane? It's a tough question that I'm hoping gets some good discussio.
Well from a storytelling perspective, a "monster" could be several things;
A monster could be considered a grotesque creature with demonic or beast-like features considered beyond the realm of normality, but it could also mean a brutal and cruel creature/person.
So i'd say yes to all of your examples
If you go by the simple definition of the word. Yes to all your questions.
The simple monster of a big scary thing is true for Tahm, Rek'Sai, Cho, even Malphite and Aatrox, Eve is a horror but might not appear as 'scary' depending on her form to appeal to someone. Same with Nocturne.
Jhin is a cruel wicked person, the second definition of the word monster, Aatrox and Rhaast are this. Jhin is also insane, although he might not know it. Rhaast seems sane but sadistic.
Monster can have two definitions. It is possible to meet one definition without meeting the other, and still be considered a monster. You might have a monstrous appearance, yet not commit monstrous acts. Vice versa is possible, too. You don’t need to meet both definitions to be considered a monster.
You seem to be more focused on actions. I would argue that Rek’sai is a monster, regardless of her level of self-awareness. She’s part of an invading force that wants to end Runeterra. Whether she’s aware of her own purpose or not, that makes her more monstrous than another creature - such as a tiger - that doesn’t know any better.
When labelling someone a monster because of their actions, that definition depends on the observer’s moral code. Few people self-identify as a monster; it’s a label given by other people. We judge what’s considered monstrous based off what actions we think are extremely unacceptable. Mental illness doesn’t always exempt someone from being considered a monster - in fact, sometimes it adds to the idea. Jhin, therefore, would meet our understanding of monster.
I am no monster. I am an artist.
are we defining monsters as "evil"? because Void creatures aren't evil, they are just beings of pure instinct. Darkin aren't inherently evil, they are just corrupted, betrayed, and vengeful, but perhaps being willing to embrace that vengeance and corruption is what makes them evil? alot of the undead champions seem to be monstrous AND evil, like Thresh and Karthus, so i suppose you could call them monsters.. Jhin is psychotic, i think he'd be "not evil by reasons of insanity" Demons like Tahm and Eve would fit both, because they are monstrous AND evil.
now, are they monsters because of them having a monstrous form? because if so, then the question answers itself.. you could call anything, that isn't humanoid, a "monster" but that wouldn't mean they are evil.
Humans are the biggest monsters so Jhin is the biggest monster.
is my waifu
I'd consider a monster to be something that which is an unknown life form, has observable harming tools (like stings, or claws, etc), looks scary (ask my brain how the hell does he define that), and maybe look deformed from the standard composition of living things (eg, insects all have the same structure. An unknown structure could be considered as a monster)
A kid's vision of a monster is entirely superficial.
An adult's view of a monster is usually emotional.
So while Zac's a 'monster', Jhin is a monster. As an adult I lean on the second definition and Zac doesn't really spring to mind- he's much a monster as the Honey Monster cereal mascot, he counts, but he's so cuddly.
(edit: I scrolled down and I'm totally amused that people immediately think 
when they hear 'monster')
nuffsaid
[{quoted}](name=Ðeath XIII,realm=NA,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=AeIJt24O,comment-id=,timestamp=2018-07-04T14:17:06.456+0000)
Question I've been bothered with. How do you define a monster? Tahm and Eve are the best examples in League I can think of because they are physical manifestations of evil, but that's too easy. What makes a monster and what makes a man? Is Aatrox a monster? We clearly see him pushed into his current mindset. Is Jhin a monster or do we just consider him insane? It's a tough question that I'm hoping gets some good discussio.
: "We are all of us born into a lie, that there are those who are good and those who are evil. In truth these words mean nothing. The only true measure of a soul is the strength of their will."
