5. THE BYRONIC HERO

  

Lord Byron Portrait

The Byronic Hero was created in the 19th century by the English poet Lord Byron. Romanticism was a literary movement very present at the time. One of the literary figures that already existed was the Romantic hero. However, Byron was not very happy with it and its charactersitics that he decided to create a new Romantic hero: the Byronic Hero.

Here I attach a couple of links that explain the features and characteristics of both the Romantic and the Byronic Hero. They are very useful so if you want to know more about the heroes of this time, take a look at these websites: 

(1) Romantic Hero

(2) Byronic Hero

                                              

It is undeniable the 'evolution' Byron stated for the Romantic Hero. It goes from being the good and the humble to being the rude and the cynical. However; both of them are moved by love and at the end will do something good or acceptable.

The Byronic hero is such a famous hero that it lives nowadays through many characters in current books, films or TV series. The following video shows an example of Romantic hero nowadays.

    (+) Indiana Jones: The American Romantic Hero:

The most remarkable Byronic Hero of current time is mostly known for everyone: House M.D.

When locating the Romantic characteristic into the Doctor House character in depth, it is an easy job to do. According to Catherine Riccio who made an essay on Doctor House and the Byronic Hero, Doctor House it is not the typical compassionate, charismatic or persuasive doctor that everyone wants to have. (2010: 23). Moreover, she claims:

“Although his eyes are a critical component of House’s appearance, there is in fact a more obvious and direct reference to the Byronic Hero: House’s leg. Its debilitating injury [...] leaves House in a permanent state of pain and thus reliant upon a cane to walk.” (2010: 24)

Catherine Riccio also says:

“Indeed, House is a lanky man, usually tall enough to be able to look down when he is talking to or mocking those around him. Furthermore, while not conventionally attractive, House’s appearance is nevertheless alluring. He is, as all Byronic Heroes should be, tall, dark and handsome.” (2010: 23)

To conclude, it can be said that as important as the Byronic hero was in its time, it has continued along the history. Even today, the figure of the Byronic Hero is still present in the whole world culture.