One of the most chilling and pathetic characters in literature, the Phantom of the Opera lives below the Paris Opera House and appears “wrapped in a large cloak and wearing a mask that [hides] his whole face” (Leroux, p. 133). Neurotically obsessed with the desire for
Christine Daae’s love, Erik appears to her as the Angel of Music and woos her by his voice.
The Phantom exhibits several traits that pertain to the Byronic hero. He allows himself to be consumed with a “destructive passion,” to work alone on his music in “selfish brooding,” and to be immersed in “persistent loneliness” (Carson-Newman University, 2013). After Christine recoils in horror at the Phantom’s visage, Erik claims her, saying, “When a woman has seen me . . . she belongs to me” (Leroux, p. 141). Insanely jealous of Christine’s true love (Raoul, the Vicomte de Chagny), the Phantom plots devilishly to control Christine and eliminate her young lover.
Erik spirits Christine away, and when M. de Chagny follows and rashly makes his presence known to the cruel captor, the Phantom “[laughs] so loudly and hideously that [they . . . hear] nothing except the monster’s laughter” (Leroux, p. 228).
The Phantom exhibits several traits that pertain to the Byronic hero. He allows himself to be consumed with a “destructive passion,” to work alone on his music in “selfish brooding,” and to be immersed in “persistent loneliness” (Carson-Newman University, 2013). After Christine recoils in horror at the Phantom’s visage, Erik claims her, saying, “When a woman has seen me . . . she belongs to me” (Leroux, p. 141). Insanely jealous of Christine’s true love (Raoul, the Vicomte de Chagny), the Phantom plots devilishly to control Christine and eliminate her young lover.
Erik spirits Christine away, and when M. de Chagny follows and rashly makes his presence known to the cruel captor, the Phantom “[laughs] so loudly and hideously that [they . . . hear] nothing except the monster’s laughter” (Leroux, p. 228).
Citations:
Carson-Newman
University. (2013). Byronic hero. Accessed November 16, 2013, from http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/lit_terms_B.html
Leroux, G. (1985).
The phantom of the opera. New York: Dorset Press.
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