Journal Analyzing the Byronic Hero and Lord Byron’s...

A Journal Analyzing the Byronic Hero, Those who Closely Resemble the Hero, Byron’s Writing Styles and Literary Criticism (Journal entry 1, Defining the Byronic Hero) The Byronic Hero is a term derived from the poetic narrative, Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, by Lord Byron. Though the idea of the Byronic Hero originated with the creation of Byron’s characters, Byron himself possessed the physical features associated with the Byronic Hero. These features include dark brooding eyes, dark hair, pale skin and a slender frame. The Byronic hero derived from Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, strays away from the typical â€Å"hero† role by possessing dual characteristics of good as well as evil, â€Å"And had been glorious in another day: but†¦show more content†¦The elevated emotional state of the Byronic Hero leads him to be or appear egocentric and introverted â€Å"hating the world he had almost forgot†, characteristics which deter from the standardized hero who â€Å"fights for the good of man-kind.† Guilt from the past also plagues the Byronic Hero, â€Å"for he through Sin’s labyri nth had run, nor made atonement when he did amiss†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Byron,C.H.181). The haunting illusion to past wrongs or sins taints the Hero and casts a shadow over his overall character and deeds. Due to his past the Hero often carries some form of defect (physical or physiological), a â€Å" heart and harp have lost a string†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Byron,C.H. 210) that further isolates him from society. (Journal entry 2, Ichabod Resembling the Byronic Hero) No characters outside of the characters created by Lord Byron himself could fully encompass the idea of the Byronic Hero, though many narratives have since been created which bare notable resemblance. Washington Irving created such a character when he wrote the story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Though Ichabod (the main character within the Irving narrative) embodies qualities of the Byronic Hero, he fails to fully mirror the concept. Ichabod’s physical persona is described as â€Å"tall, but exceedingly lank, with narrow shoulders, long arms and legs, hands that dangled a mile out of his