Beowulf and Healthcliff: Two Different Types of Heroes
Summary:
The character of Heathcliff from Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" can be considered a hero, even though he doesn't display any of the chracteristics of a classic definition of a hero. These traditional traits can be seen in "Beowulf," the Old English epic about a great Scandinavian warrior.
Rare would one classify Heathcliff, from Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, as a hero under any circumstances. The true embodiment of a hero would be within the flesh of the legendary Beowulf. However, Heathcliff's heroism is undermined through the contrast with a classic hero like Beowulf. This misconception portrayed of Heathcliff is because of the generalization that society holds regarding the classification of a hero. A "true" hero, by definition, is "A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life." This statement can be found in Beowulf but the complete opposite is found in Heathcliff. Despite the extremities between the two, proof will be established to suggest Heathcliff as a hero but in a different nature.
Beowulf encompasses what society believes to be a hero. He was a man of strength, bravery and nobility; he was the "brave thane of the Geats...the strongest of men." (Beowulf 177-179) Traditionally, and presently to some extent, Beowulf's character would set the standards for heroism. He is a hero, without any doubt he is. Beowulf performs acts to benefit others rather than himself and puts his life "on the line." Heathcliff, on the contrary, commits most of his acts for the potential benefit to be for himself or Catherine. Ultimately, to benefit Catherine he is helping himself. This is based on the fact that Catherine exclaims, "I am Heathcliff, Nelly." (Bronte 84) The two are one of the same and what affects one of them will succeed to benefit the other. Although contrasting Beowulf's motives for committing an action of "heroism," at the heart of Heathcliff's motives, lies heroic nature of a different sort.
Complex is the heroic figure of Heathcliff for he exemplifies the characteristics of the Byronic hero: defined by Lord Byron to classify the typical character types of the Victorian age. Byronic heroes do not possess the same "heroic virtue" that Beowulf radiates with. A Byronic hero is "Arrogant, confident, abnormally sensitive, and extremely conscious of himself. Sometimes, this is to the point of nihilism resulting in his rebellion against life itself." (Thorslev 197) Heathcliff exhibits these alleged "qualities" of the Byronic hero and this can be shown through a basic character analysis. Although those "qualities" are defined under the Byronic hero stature, some of them are present in Beowulf's character.
Heathcliff can be the most arrogant man throughout the novel Wuthering Heights but he still succeeds to attract two women to his heart, Catherine and Isabella, and become an idol for the young Hareton. His self-importance is blatantly apparent when he unearths Catherine's grave for the soul purpose of him finally being "one" with Catherine. Self-importance is typically not a quality sought out after by a hero. Beowulf was a man who put society and his people before himself. "Either a man's deed shall I do here/ or meet my death in this banqueting hall." (Beowulf 636-637) The fact that he put himself second asserts how brave and noble he is by risking his own life for his people, however, this is an attribute of the traditional hero. The Byronic hero must emit some level of arrogance in order to accomplish the goal the Byronic hero intends on accomplishing. These goals need self-importance because the achievements they wish to obtain are characteristically "against moral codes and values of society." (Thorslev 197) An arrogant attitude and self-image are necessary to overcome society's "unjust" morals and values; otherwise, one could not possibly attain these goals.
A Byronic hero in essence is really a rebel with a cause; this rebel, Heathcliff, aspires to alter society and the pawns within it. He is one who believes that patriarchy and the vast distinctions and restrictions of class should be abolished. The eradication of anything deemed evil or wrong is a common sentiment within the intentions of a hero.."..That even this evil, mayhap may end/And his sorrow-surge, cease to flame," shows Beowulf demonstrated this commonality as well. Through the determination and execution to slay Grendel, and eventually a dragon, Beowulf feels it his duty to destroy evil or "cease" their "flame." An act of heroic nature through the philosophy of extirpation of evil, or anything deemed wrong, can vary from hero to hero.
The Byronic hero is a man who is "quite passionate about a particular issue and is habitually categorized as a wanderer, isolated or exiled from society." (UMD) Understandably, one can place Heathcliff into this description. Heathcliff was a man predominantly passionate over the issue of patriarchy and it's imprisonment of Catherine. Beowulf was also very passionate over a certain issue: to win is not to live but to vanquish and live. If this were not met, Beowulf would potentially be quite furious. Heathcliff and Beowulf's passion for success, in essence, is a contributing factor to their title of "hero."
Confidence in one's self and in one's deeds is essential to earn the title of "hero." In the case of the Byronic hero, Heathcliff must be presumptuous in his "deeds" in order for them to be carried out. He displayed his confidence, seemingly, when he created the false union between himself and Isabella. Heathcliff strongly believed that this accord would help him seek out revenge against patriarchy. If the plan failed he could have potentially lost everything he desired, that is Catherine. Since he was convinced in the unification he was able to persevere with the "scheme." Beowulf was a man of impudence as well but unlike Heathcliff, his confidence was for the greater good and not for obtaining deeds unworthy of nobility. Beowulf states, "No sword shall I use to take his life/ though I at my ease, might kill him so." (Beowulf 683-684) Beowulf is confident in his skills and strength to the point he could slay the powerful Grendal without any weapon.
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