Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë To what extent is Heathcliff a Byronic hero?

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1 Read through the list of characteristics below and then look at your group sheet for your specific task. The Byronic hero is an idealised but flawed character as exemplified by the life and writings of Lord Byron. Defined by his ex-lover, Lady Caroline Lamb, as being mad, bad and dangerous to know, the Byronic hero first appears in Byron's semi-autobiographical epic narrative poem Childe Harold's Pilgrimage ( ). Byron s influence can be seen in the work of many authors and artists of the Romantic Movement and in Gothic fiction written during the 19th century. The Byronic hero typically exhibits the following characteristics: high levels of intelligence and perception cunning and able to adapt sophisticated and educated self-critical and introspective mysterious, magnetic and charismatic struggles with integrity power of seduction and sexual attraction social and sexual dominance emotional conflicts, bipolar tendencies, or moodiness a distaste for social institutions and norms an exile, an outcast, or an outlaw dark attributes not normally associated with a hero disrespect of rank and privilege a troubled past cynicism arrogance self-destructive behaviour. (Summary adapted from wikipedia.org.) From Byron s Childe Harold s Pilgrimage Whilome in Albion s isle there dwelt a youth, Who ne in virtue s ways did take delight; But spent his days in riot most uncouth, And vex d with mirth the drowsy ear of Night. Ah me! in sooth he was a shameless wight, Sore given to revel and ungodly glee; Few earthly things found favour in his sight Save concubines and carnal companie, And flaunting wassailers of high and low degree. Other possible examples of the Byronic hero from literature, television and films: Mr Rochester in Jane Eyre Erik / The Phantom from The Phantom of the Opera Severus Snape from the Harry Potter series Angel in Buffy the Vampire Slayer Lestat in Interview with a vampire Some key Byron facts 1) Born 1788 and died ) British poet and leading Romantic figure 3) Extravagant life of love affairs, debt, potential incest, and eccentricity 4) Left Britain in 1816 and never returned 5) Don Juan is one of his most famous works, an epic poem based on the legend of Don Juan Page 1 of 5

2 Task 1: Heathcliff as a Byronic hero For each of the following categories, decide how thorough your knowledge and skills are: I strongly agree I agree I agree to some extent I disagree I can explain what a Byronic hero is I can make my own judgements on the character of Heathcliff I can justify my ideas with evidence from the text I can analyse in detail how Brontë presents Heathcliff I can comment on why Brontë chose to depict Heathcliff in this way, and the effect it has on the reader Task 2: In your groups read through the key information about the concept of the Byronic hero. Each group will be asked to focus on specific aspects of the Byronic hero and use extracts from Wuthering Heights to analyse Heathcliff s character in the light of these ideas. Task 3: Now switch groups and share your ideas with each other to get a full picture of how far Heathcliff can be considered a Byronic hero. Task 4: Be prepared to share your thoughts and findings as we discuss as a class to what extent we believe Heathcliff is a Byronic hero. Task 5: Using a different colour reassess your knowledge and skills in the table above and set yourself a target. What are you going to work on in order to improve your analytical skills? NB All quotes are taken from the Penguin Popular Classics 1994 edition Page 2 of 5

3 GROUP A (potential positives) mysterious, magnetic and charismatic intelligent sophisticated Find some quotations and analyse them in the light of these ideas. Feel free to use evidence from any part of the novel. A brief summary of relevant content is below to help you identify where you might find quotations to support your ideas. Lockwood and Heathcliff first meetings. Heathcliff arriving and early childhood. Affection between him and Catherine. Teenage / young adult Heathcliff and reaction to Catherine s change. Young adult Heathcliff returns, causing friction between Catherine and Edgar, his flirtation with Isabella. Heathcliff and Isabella s elopement, his plan to prevent her from leaving and immediate repercussions of their marriage. Heathcliff and Catherine s last meeting before her death. Heathcliff s immediate reaction to news of Catherine s death. Isabella s escape from Heathcliff and talk with Nelly about her life at the Heights and her husband. Heathcliff s imprisonment of Cathy and her enforced marriage to Linton. Edgar and Linton s deaths. Heathcliff s behaviour leading up to his death Page 3 of 5

4 GROUP B (class and society) being an exile, an outcast, or an outlaw disrespect of rank and privilege a troubled past You should use the following extracts to help you find quotations and analyse them in the light of the above ideas: 1. Chapter 4, We crowded round, to saw him wronged. 2. Chapter 6, Don t cant, Nelly, to secured the door again. 3. Chapter 10, He looked vexed, to hour or two willingly. GROUP C (personality) emotional conflict arrogance self-destructive behaviour You should use the following extracts to help you find quotations and analyse them in the light of the above ideas: 1. Chapter 1 early stages. 2. Chapter 3, Heathcliff gradually fell back, to, beyond my comprehension. 3. Chapter 14, There that will do for the present! to, I ll take measures to secure you, woman! 4. Chapter 33, Nelly, there is a strange change approaching; to, I have lost her! Page 4 of 5

5 GROUP D (an atypical hero) Dark aspects of character not normally associated with a hero. For example: selfish not selfless violent evil rather than good tendencies cruel treatment of others You should use the following quotations and analyse them in the light of the idea above: 1. though it s as dark almost as if it came from the devil. Chapter 4 Mr Earnshaw about Heathcliff 2. wash it, and give it clean things, and let it sleep with the children Chapter 4 Mr Earnshaw s instructions regarding Heathcliff (to Nelly) 3. You must exchange horses with me: I don t like mine; Chapter 4 Heathcliff to Hindley. 4. I ll crush his ribs in like a rotten hazel-nut before I cross the threshold! Chapter 11 Heathcliff about Edgar 5. I could not picture a father treating a dying child as tyrannically and wickedly as I afterwards learned Heathcliff had treated him his efforts [to marry Linton to Cathy] redoubling the more imminently his avaricious and unfeeling plans were threatened with defeat by death. Chapter pulling her on his knee, [he] administered with the other [hand] a shower of terrific slaps on the side of the head Chapter Page 5 of 5