The Byronic Hero

The Byronic Hero

Quintin Smith

Jay Gatsby

Examples

• Intelligent and cunning
• Passionate for Daisy
• Attractive
• Focused on achieving his own goals

Literature

• Artemis Fowl II in Artemis Fowl
• Edward Cullen in Twilight
• Satan in Paradise Lost
• Tyler Durden in Fight Club

Comics and Movies

• Batman in Batman
• Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars
• Wolverine in X-Men

Animations and TV Shows

• Adam from Heroes
• Nico Robin from One Peice
• Light Yagami from Death Note
• Dexter from Dexter

In Real Life

• Richard Nixon
• Kurt Cobain

Characteristics

The Byronic hero is said to be a rebel and is usually isolated from society

• intelligent
• cunning
• manipulative
• self-serving
• sensitive
• prone to bursts of anger
• traumatized
• sexually appealing
• act on the greater good but rarely acknowledge doing so
• loyal to their own beliefs
• emotional
• passionate
• portrayed as anti-hero

Origin

• From English poet Lord Byron
• First appeared in his poem "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage"
• a young man traveling
• trying to find his place in life
• Said to be the role model for all Byronic heroes