Subjects:
The hero stands as an archetype of who we should be and who we wish to be.
However, the hero has inherent flaws which we do not wish to strive towards. In
literature, these flaws are not used as examples of what we should be but rather
as examples of what not to be. This is especially dominant in the Greek hero.
While the Greek hero follows his fate, making serious mistakes and having a
fairly simple life, the Anglo-Saxon "super" hero tries, and may succeed, to
change his fate, while dealing with a fairly complex life.
The Greek hero is strong and mighty while his wit and intelligence are highly
valued. In the Greek tragedy, the hero struggles to avoid many flaws. Among
these flaws are ambition, foolishness, stubbornness, and hubris-the excessive
component of pride. He must overcome his predestined fate-a task which is
impossible. From the beginning of the tale, it is already clear that the hero
will ultimately fail with the only way out being death. In Oedipus, the hero
is already confronted with a load of information about his family and gouges his
eyes out. At this point, when he tries to outwit his fate he has already lost
. . .
the Anglo-Saxon succeeds in altering his fate though.
Bibliography
Robinson, Norbone, “Gun Control Controversy”, Congressional Digest, May ‘86, pp. 8
Woods, Harold, The Right To Bear Arms, New York, Watts, 1986
.
The Greek hero is more of a thinker than a violent individual. 33
Kinsley, Michael, “Under The Gun”, The New Republic, August 26, 1985, pp. Oedipus
deals with the human struggle for knowledge-first for knowledge of the evil
which sets on the state, but ultimately for self-knowledge. Such seems seem
to be pure fiction or folklore. 4
Isaacson, Walter, “The Duel Over Gun Control”, Time, March 23, 1981, pp. The Anglo-Saxon may reach the same pedestal as a God. There is no way he could overcome his
fate with his brain. The
Anglo-Saxon is content with what is happening and decides to use his power to
overcome his conflict rather than his mind. Who can relate to
Beowulf, fighting a dragon named Grendel? It seems impossible. Although
the details may seem a little farfetched it is not impossible that there is some
truth to the story.
The tragic hero yearns to believe that there is purpose to his actions, yet many
of his actions lead to pain and disaster more so in the Greek than Anglo-Saxon
literature.
The Greek hero is so normal, that the reader can relate to him.
Essay's Topics
All research is for reference purposes only.