A brutal character, therefore backward (4)
I believe the answer is:
ogre
'a brutal character' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'therefore backward' is the wordplay.
'therefore' becomes 'ergo' (I've seen this before).
'backward' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'ergo' in reverse letter order is 'OGRE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ogre that I've seen before include "Terrifying man" , "Giant of folklore, eats humans" , "Man-eating giant of folklore" , "Cruel, fearsome person" , "terrible person" .)