Horror, But Not Hate

While George Gordon, Lord Byron, may not be a familiar author to many readers, most students of classic literature will be at least somewhat familiar with his namesake, the Byronic hero. Found in many classic novels, the Byronic hero is both an appalling and yet appealing character. Often the author juxtaposes this dark antagonist against that of a more worthy man; at times, he is the hero with whom the reader most identifies. 

The following series of blog posts intends to introduce the reader to several classic examples of the Byronic hero, to suggest the exploration of possible candidates for that title, and to discuss a few authors who themselves portray the Byronic hero.

Perhaps the best description that combines the feelings of repulsion and sympathy that the Byronic hero elicits from readers is found in Christine’s explanation to M. de Chagny of the Phantom in Gaston Leroux’s Phantom of the Opera: “He fills me with horror and [yet] I do not hate him” (p. 137).

For the remainder of these posts, the following definition of a Byronic hero will be employed:

Byronic hero: An antihero who is a romanticized but wicked character. Conventionally, the figure is a young and attractive male with a bad reputation. He defies authority and conventional morality, and becomes paradoxically ennobled by his peculiar rejection of virtue. Byronic heroes are associated with destructive passions, sometimes selfish brooding or indulgence in personal pains, alienation from their communities, persistent loneliness, intense introspection, and fiery rebellion. (Carson-Newman University, 2013)

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.