How Romantic The discovery of the British Romantic Hero

What’s Going On??? Characteristics of the Romantic Period Began in 1798 Two movements that have large affects –French Revolution: inspired rebellion and turmoil –Scientific movement: Science was making the church look foolish, and people started believing only what they could see.

How about in Literature? Characteristics of Romantic Literature Focused more on beauty instead of religion There was a return to nature A belief in the goodness of humanity –Rousseau, “The nature of man is naturally good, unless changed or corrupted by society’s institutions.” –Ex. Church or Government

There was a rediscovery of the artist as a supremely individual creator, They are the “bards” of society. (Wordsworth) The development of nationalistic pride The exaltation of the senses and emotions over reason and intellect A philosophical revolt against rationalism. Focus on Imagination and emotion (

So who created the first Hero? LORD BYRON

MAD!!!!! Lord Byron Born January 22, 1788 Wrote Poetry and satires Major works include Child Harold’s Pilgrimage, and Don Juan. Had a club foot, and was very self conscious about his infirmity He was very attractive; his nurse made advances at him when he was only nine, and with his idealized love for his cousins, his ideas of women were formed.

BAD!!!! When he was older he fell into an “abyss of sensuality,” that was so bad that it threatened to undermine his health. Chris Lynam said that he was, “Mad, Bad and Dangerous to know.” Was married to Anne Isabella When she gave birth to their first child, she left him without excuse, and Byron exiled himself from Europe.

AND DANGEROUS TO KNOW!! He traveled abroad, wrote poetry, and constantly fell in love. He died of a fever on April 19, 1824 (

So What is a Romantic HERO????

It’s not Superman!!!!!! Characteristics of a Byronic Hero Considered a rebel The Byronic hero does not possess "heroic virtue" but rather dark and mysterious qualities. His self-respect and hypersensitivity are “larger than life.” Titanic Passion Prideful Isolated from society and their institutions

And It’s not Batman!!!! Moody Emotional Arrogant Rejects society because he believes he rises above them Usually characterized by some secret sexual sin, and therefore a figure of repulsion as well as fascination. Has some physical infirmity

Who In Jane Eyre would have fit this description? ROCHESTER!!!!!!!!

WHY?

Why do you think There is a Byronic Hero In Jane Eyre? Jane wrote this story during the Romantic Period When Byron died at the age of thirty-six in 1824, Bronte was but eight years old. Bronte's youthful age, however, did not preclude Byron and his works from having a profound effect on her and her writing; indeed, the "cult" of Lord Byron flourished shortly after his death "dominating [the Brontes'] girlhood and their young womanhood"

So wouldn’t a woman who seems preoccupied with aristocracy, and prudent behavior of that time, find the idea of the Byronic hero attractive and alluring? Blanche Ingram asks Rochester to "now sing, and I will play for you." When Rochester replies that he will indeed sing for them, she says, "Here then is a Corsair- song. Know that I dote on Corsairs; and for that reason, sing it 'con spirito'" (181; ch.17). Bronte's allusion to Byron's immensely popular work "The Corsair," which was published in 1814, suggests that Jane Eyre was set sometime after this date. sses/434/charweb/CHARACTE.htm

THE END!!!