Romanitcism & the Romanitc Hero

Romanitcism & the Romanitc Hero

  • Submitted By: dpblignaut
  • Date Submitted: 02/22/2009 3:44 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 843
  • Page: 4
  • Views: 1

The Romantic Hero is one which can evoke many criticisms and opinions. Unique aspects to this character is why this hero seems to be so uniquely attractive, yet disturbing. The embodiment of the Romantic Hero comes through Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights written by Emily Bronte. Some aspects attributed to the infamous nature of this character are the ability they possess, to combine their passionate and consuming emotions into harsh actions. The presence of the natural and the supernatural elements add distinctiveness to the temperament of this archetype, and as the reader or responder, how we are positioned to view or sympathize is vital to the development of the Romantic Hero.

Within Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff is portrayed as initially a very weak character but we soon learn that he is very intriguing and attractive to the responder. Nature plays a large part in forming this characters firm identity and to an extent gives him reason for becoming so cruel. As the Romantic Hero is based upon the story of Satan and his fall from Heaven, we start to see elements of the characteristics in both personas. Nature helps to visually represent Heathcliff’s emotions and is a dramatic technique used to emphasis his connection to a world beyond the physically present one. One of the descriptions Catherine gives about her love for Heathcliff is; “My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods. Time will change it…- My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath-necessary.” This also helps to highlight the differences Catherine identifies between the two characters. Linton is calm and steady whereas Heathcliff is unpredictable and passionate. His passion and moods along with the storms and winds are ever changing and sudden. This is what makes Heathcliff so striking. Once Catherine leaves the physical world, Heathcliff makes it his mission in life to force her to haunt him, so that for eternity he would not be without her. Heathcliff and Catherine are...

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