Anyone who has seen "Sleeping Beauty" or "Snow White" or any number of other Disney movies knows what a hero is. In the eyes of the everyday layman, a hero is a gallant soul who faces terrifying evil or danger without flinching, a person who cares nothing about his own life when other's are in danger. This type of hero is known as traditional. They very word 'traditional' has the connotation of the mundane and of monotony. Heroes such as Superman and Captain America become dull very quickly because they lack a vital part that keeps people interested, drama. Any hero that has drama creates a sense of wonder and curiosity. This type of hero is known as a Byronic hero. Byronic heroes can actually be seen as anti-heroes. They may have basic characteristics in common with traditional heroes, such as intelligence, confidence, and a set of moral standards, but they carry a burden through their life, whether it is a personal mission, revenge, or just a lust for power. Three classic literary Byronic heroes are: Macbeth from William Shakespeare's play, "Macbeth," Heathcliff from Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights," and Grendel from John Gardner's "Grendel." All three have archetypal characteristics demonstrating the essence of a Byronic hero. The characters all have self-confidence, are extremely conscious of themselves, believe what they are doing in life is just, carry a large amount of guilt, live in some sort of isolation or exile, and have moral standards beyond the bounds of the norm.
             One of the contributing factors of a Byronic hero is that of self-confidence. Confidence is vital to the actions of the hero. Without it nothing would occur and the story would die. By far the character with the most confidence among the three is Grendel. After being charmed by the dragon, Grendel attacks the thanes with no apprehension of being injured. He eve...