This is displayed when Sam takes additional money from Brigid at her apartment, and again when he agrees to help Cairo for a large sum of money. Instead, he is motivated to further his own personal gain and make sure he is well taken care of. Sam is not motivated to help Brigid or any of his clients. I mean, you paid us more than if you had been telling us the truth, and enough more to make it all right.” (213). This point is further proven when Sam states, “We didn’t exactly believe your story, Miss O’Shaughnessy. From the very beginning of the novel, Sam is motivated to help Brigid, and the rest of his clients, through money. Sam maintains these aspects of his character throughout the duration of the novel, which can lead us to believe he is a static character. This fact not only furthers the argument of Sam’s role as a romantic hero, but also the argument of his role as an anti-hero. Sam states, “I wish to Christ I’d never seen her.” (27) As shown by Sam’s actions toward Iva, such as refusing to meet with her, dodging her at almost every turn, and going to the point of scolding her outside of the hotel, he has no problem with using one or multiple women. However, Sam’s role as a romantic hero is put into the spotlight when he speaks of his relationship with Iva, his murdered partner’s wife. That is exactly what he has been doing all along most notably in chapter 8 when they barge into his apartment.” (Delaney 1).

This fact is supported in Brigid’s case, as displayed in “Hammett: The Maltese Falcon” Bill Delaney writes, “Brigid believes Spade loves her and intends to shield her from the police. This shows that Sam is indeed a romantic hero because nearly every woman he comes across wants him, even if he does not want her. Throughout the novel, we see Sam expertly juggle the affections of Brigid and Iva, while maintaining a very good relationship with his secretary, Effie. Not only does Sam choose to save himself at the possible cost of Brigid’s life at the end, but he has his way with her and other ladies throughout the novel, which further allows him to be categorized as a romantic hero. Sam does explain his logic, however, when he says, “I won’t play the sap for you.” (215) This one line is very significant because it justifies Spade’s action of turning Brigid in to the police, but still allows Sam to remain an anti-hero because we have no way of knowing if Brigid would have double-crossed him in time. This would fit nicely into the mold of Philip Marlowe from The Big Sleep. Many readers were used to the idea of the hero saving the day for everyone, or even sacrificing himself to save his lovely lady. This one action by Sam Spade truly sets him apart as the anti-hero because it was so revolutionary for the time. If they hang you, I’ll always remember you.” (Hammett 211). That means if you’re a good girl, you’ll be out in 20 years.

The chances are you’ll get off with life. One of Sam Spade’s most notorious lines that place him into the anti-hero category is when he says, “I hope they don’t hang you, precious, by that sweet neck. While Sam Spade is indeed the protagonist of the novel, he is by no means a hero in the traditional sense of the world.

Sam Spade does fit into this category and it is for that reason that Sam Spade can be properly categorized as an anti-hero.

This modern day detective is the gruff Man who keeps his wits about him, always gets the ladies, and cracks the case in the end. We often look back upon Sam Spade, the protagonist in The Maltese Falcon, as the first example of the modern day detective.

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