Is Heathcliff a tragic hero or not? Why? I know he's considered a byronic hero by many, but does he also fit the description of a tragic hero? please be super specific. thanks.
2007-01-14 03:08:50 · 3 answers · asked by jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaba 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
ive got some excellent answers about why he is a tragic hero...any opposing?
2007-01-14 05:45:44 · update #1
A tragic hero is either noble or wise. His behavior is excessively proud. He suffers more than he actually deserves. He has a reversal of fortune due to his own actions. And he recognises his tragic error for what it is in a moment of catharsis. In all but the first way, Heathcliff meets these criteria. He was neither of noble blood nor was he wise. However, another view of this criterion is that the tragic hero must be doomed from the start through no fault of his own, but does develop a major flaw that propels him forward into his doom. That's certainly a good description of Heathcliff's childhood. It's not his fault that he was adopted by Mr. Earnshaw, nor that Hareton hates and abuses him. Nor is it his fault that Catherine looks on him as a loved but unsatisfactory companion. But his method of dealing with these things shows his limitless pride and his lack of love for anyone but Cathy. Once she married Linton, his actions bordered on the inhuman and his passion for Cathy drove her to the grave. Only his recognition of her spirit at the end, and his denial of himself, allowed him to die happily.
2007-01-14 03:27:13 · answer #1 · answered by Holly R 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Aristotle set forth the guidelines for the tragic hero, and they are outlined here: http://brainstorm-services.com/wcu-lit/tragedy.html
* Goodness. They should reveal through speech and action what their moral choices are, and a "good character will be one whose choices are good." Any "class of person" may be portrayed as "good"-even women and slaves, though on the whole women are "inferior" and slaves are "utterly base."
* Appropriateness. Men can be domineering or "manly" (what does he really mean here, I wonder?), but for a woman to appear formidable would be inappropriate.
* Lifelike. He never explains this one. What do you think he means? How is "lifelike" slightly different from "appropriate" and "good"? I think he might mean "believable" or "true to life." Maybe he means the tragic hero should not be godlike, not like the mythical heroes of legend, but like real human beings.
* Consistency. Once a character is established as having certain traits, these shouldn't suddenly change.
Use those guidelines and see if Heathcliff fits them, in your mind.
2007-01-14 13:05:40 · answer #2 · answered by sidgirls 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
heathcliff is a crazy, twisted, ************* bastard. he ruined a hell lot of people's lives. but then again, they all deserved it, except for the girl, i forget her name.
i don't think hes a hero...
2007-01-14 11:26:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋