The Paradox Of The Hero - 1484 Words

The Paradox of the Hero in Paradise Lost What exactly is a hero? A common pedestrian might say a hero is someone who goes out of their way to help people. A child may say that a hero is someone who performs valiant deeds. Merriam-Webster Dictionary itself has 3 definitions of a hero: â€Å"a person who is admired for great or brave deeds or acts,† â€Å"a person who is greatly admired† and â€Å"the chief male [or female] in a story, play, movie etc.† (Merriam Webster Dictionary). In a literary situation, a hero is defined as one with certain traits that follows the epic hero cycle. The epic hero cycle is a common literary tool used throughout the ages in famous epics, such as The Iliad and The Odyssey. It follows a simple pattern; a strong person, usually male and of noble birth, journeys on a long and treacherous quest, encountering many mythical beings along the way, and usually hitting a snag before their victory. John Milton’s Paradise Lost follows th e exact same pattern, except with a character no one would expect: Satan. Satan exhibits many of the traits an epic hero while at the same time following the traditional epic cycle. Although he is not seen as a hero by many, Satan is indisputably the hero of Paradise Lost who follows the epic cycle down to the last detail: he is a powerful supernatural being of noble birth that is tasked with a long and treacherous quest and tested within that quest before his victory. The quest that Satan takes on is not the standard â€Å"save theShow MoreRelatedElucidation Regarding the Stages Set by Fair is foul, and foul is fair (I: i, 10), in William Shakespeares The Tragedy of Macbeth1076 Words   |  5 Pagesand bad is good; however, it actually implies that one cannot assume anything. The paradox displays the style and diction that Shakespeare continues to utilize throughout the tragedy. His style and diction supports the paradox as it creates confusion that causes the audience to recall that nothing can be assumed. In addition, it allows one to expect other paradoxes along with imagery that further supports the paradox, â€Å"Fair is foul, and foul is fair† (I: i, 10). The style Shakespeare utilizes createsRead More Heracles as a Paradox in Women of Trachis1531 Words   |  7 PagesHeracles as a Paradox in Women of Trachis Using the portrayal of Hercules in Sophocles tragedy Women of Trachis, a puzzling image of the Greek hero emerges. Most of the myths of Heracles portray him as a fierce warrior, tamer of beasts and a master of everything he attempts. This myth however, shows honorable traits juxtaposed with very negative aspects of the same man. Heracles is a paradox because even though he is a very great man and ideal hero, in some ways he is savage, highly emotionalRead MoreBackdrop Addresses Cowboy Analyses1101 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Backdrop addresses cowboy by Margaret Atwood The male hero could be said to be portrayed in Atwood’s poem â€Å"Backdrop addresses cowboy† by the cowboy. The cowboy is a clichà ©d symbol of masculinity made famous by the Western film industry of America. One can immediately conjure him up, square-jawed and handsomely rugged in Stetson and spurred boots, galloping around on his trusty steed rescuing damsels in distress with whom he intends on riding off romantically into the sunset with. This is howeverRead MoreJohn Milton s Paradise Lost985 Words   |  4 PagesJohn Milton’s Paradise Lost is a paradox of morality and character definitions. After reading multiple articles, the largest concerning topic was the hero status of an inherently evil character. The issue lies within defining what a hero is and is not in terms of epic poetry. John Milton’s refusal to clarify a hero shows this paradox he has created is a something that he meant to achieve. According to Mary Nyquist in The Father s Word/Satan s Wrath, â€Å"The text seems here not just to invite, butRead MoreSoren Kierkegaards The Iliad, By Simone Weil1349 Words   |  6 Pageswhich they have come to posses, that they are no longer empathetic. This then turns the individual into an instrument of the force, thus making the individual with power and the individual without both subjugated to the force. This is where the paradox occurs, force in itself cannot be possessed but instead possesses those who wish to wield, turning the individual into an instrument (15/69). In this sense force levels the playing field. The blindness that comes with the use of force â€Å"establishesRead MoreTheorist : Philip Zimbardo s `` The Lucifer Effect ``984 Words   |  4 Pagesand the hero. If one chooses to let things go on they are no better than the ones doing it. Anyone can be a hero, its just a matter if you ll take it or not, when the opportunity comes. It’s going against others for what is right. For instance, Joe Darby, the hero of Abu Ghraib. He stopped the abuses by showing the photos, though he had to go into hiding for three years because he himself and his family were being threatened to be killed. Zimbardo wants us all to believe that we are a â€Å"Hero-in-Waiting†Read MoreEssay on Kierkegaards View on Faith1045 Words   |  5 Pageshighest, also that it is dishone st of philosophy to give something else in its place and to disparage faith† (Fear and Trembling, 12).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To Kierkegaard, the whole biblical story is a paradox. â€Å"Thinking about Abraham is another matter, however; then I am shattered. I am constantly aware of the prodigious paradox that is the content of Abraham’s life, I am constantly repelled, and, despite all its passion, my thought cannot penetrate it, cannot get ahead by a hairsbreadth† (Fear and Trembling, 12)Read MoreEssay about Soren Kierkegaards Fear And Trembling959 Words   |  4 PagesHow does the individual assure himself that he is justified? In Soren Kierkegaards Fear and Trembling, Abraham, found in a paradox between two ethical duties, is confronted with this question. He has ethical duties to be faithful to God and also to his son, Isaac. He believes that God demands him to sacrifice Isaac. But, Abraham, firmly adhering to his faith, submitted to what he believed was the will of God. By using his perspective and that of his alternative guise, Johannes de Silentio,Read More Fai r Is Foul And Foul Is Fair Essay760 Words   |  4 Pagesfunctions throughout the play. The line is a prophecy which one thing seems like another. It implies especially to the characters that they are not as they seem to be. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The Three Witches are the ones who introduce the paradox that runs throughout the play. The theme affects these characters because although they speak of the future, they do not seem to affect the course of it. They are the agents of fate because they only speak of the truth of what will happen. MacbethRead MoreThe American Paradox By Morgan Roney Essay1136 Words   |  5 Pages Morgan Roney The American Paradox From the time of the colonial period to the early national period, hardships came about because of differing opinions and views on peoples’ rights. Slavery was a major issue for African Americans along with issues involving equality, race, and liberty. Slavery mainly arose because of the high demand for crops and goods as the world evolved. In the articles by Morgan, Breen and Innes, Holton, Levy, and Rothman the issues dealing with slavery, liberty, and