Heathcliff, Macbeth, & Grendel

A detailed Summary of Heathcliff, Macbeth, & Grendel

Anyone who has seen "Sleeping Beauty" or "Snow White" or any number of other Disney movies knows what a hero is. In the eyes of the everyday layman, a hero is a gallant soul who faces terrifying evil or danger without flinching, a person who cares nothing about his own life when other's are in danger. This type of hero is known as traditional. They very word 'traditional' has the connotation of the mundane and of monotony. Heroes such as Superman and Captain America become dull very quickly because they lack a vital part that keeps people interested, drama. Any hero that has drama creates a sense of wonder and curiosity. This type of hero is known as a Byronic hero. Byronic heroes can actually be seen as anti-heroes. They may have basic characteristics in common with traditional heroes, such as intelligence, confidence, and a set of moral standards, but they carry a burden through their life, whether it is a personal mission, revenge, or just a lust for power. Three classic literary Byronic heroes are: Macbeth from William Shakespeare's play, "Macbeth," Heathcliff from Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights," and Grendel from John Gardner's "Grendel." All three have archetypal characteristics demonstrating the essence of a B

Although the isolation/exile clause of Byronic hero leaves room for development, it's the moral standards clause that adds complexity. In part, the Byronic hero must have moral standards that are beyond the bounds of normal people. This allows for the great anti-hero to emerge. Grendel sees not only the futility of heroism but also the stupidity of it. He purposely mocks the hero, Unferth, every time he meets him. When Grendel first realizes that Unferth was a honest-to-goodness hero, he chides him saying: "Ah, ah, it must be a terrible burden, though, being a hero" (84). When Unferth follows Grendel back to his lair to die honorably, Grendel, in his complete lack of compassion thinking, decides to have Unferth live; Unferth can do nothing but accept, which leaves Grendel to the conclusion: "So much for heroism" (90). Heathcliff isn't an anti-hero, but does show his alternate set of morals with his black and white version of the world. The only two things that seem to affect his decisions are is love for Catherine and his desire for revenge on Hindley. When seeing that it is impossible to torment Hindley any further (being that he is dead) Heathcliff decides to pass his revenge onto Hareton, Hindley's son. He decides this with the statement: "The tyrant grinds down his slaves and they don't turn against him, they crush those beneath them" (103). Heathcliff sees himself as the slave with Hindley as the tyrant and Hareton as 'those beneath [him].' Macbeth's morals drastically alter during the play leading to Macbeth's complete abandonment of reason and his adoption of the idea that the prophecies can do no wrong. When he goes to the Wyrd sisters for the second time, he asks them certain questions that he wants answered. They tell him that the apparitions they will present will answer all his questions. When the bloody child appeared and told Macbeth not to fear anyone born of a woman, he automatically assumed this applied to Macduff, stating: "Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of thee?" (4.1.82). He also concludes that Banquo must be an enemy because: "To make them kings [Banquo progeny], the seed of Banquo kings!" (3.1.69). These moral standards are the key to every other part of the definition of a Byronic hero. Before a decision is made, before they have confidence to complete a task, and definitely before they have guilt, a base must be laid down for everything to be put upon.

What man dare, I dare:/ approach thou like the rugged Russian bear,/ the arm'd rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger;/ take any shape but that, and my firm nerves/ shall never tremble. Or be alive again,/ and dare me to the desert with thy sword;/ if trembling I inhabit then, protest me/ the baby of a girl. Hence, horrible shadow!/ Unreal mockery, hence! (3.4.98-106).

Before they can have confidence they have to have a mission. In the Byronic sense, the hero must have a mission they believe is right and just. The mission might be blinded by a desire as in the case of Macbeth, but yet the hero obtusely follows through. Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth, trust in the idea that the supernatural desires for Macbeth to become king. Macbeth supported his

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Approximate Word count = 2141
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English