No one really feels bad when the Beast throws Gaston off the roof at the end of the movie, but I do. What if Gaston had just arrived a little sooner, like when Belle or her father were still in the prison? Then his actions would have made him the hero of the movie. Even at the end of the movie after the Beast has discovered his humanity again, Gaston's aggressions are fueled by his love for Belle and in defense of his pride, nevermind the fact he's trying to protect the village- all noble causes to fight for. Plus, the Beast was a jerk at the beginning of the movie, all the way from the prologue to when he let Belle leave. He changed only after continued exposure to Belle, an opportunity Gaston was never given. The Beast and Gaston are similar in that they both used Moris' potential captivity to manipulate Belle into staying with them- the Beast only did so sooner. Perhaps if Gaston had been the quicker of the two to resort to abduction Belle could have soften his masculine edges and taught him an appreciation for literacy as well.

All I'm saying in Gaston wasn't such a bad guy.