Heathcliff as Byronic Hero of Emily Brontes Wuthering...

Heathcliff as Byronic Hero of Wuthering Heights It is difficult if not impossible to find a character in Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights that is 100% convincing as the hero -- until one applies the qualities of the Byronic hero. When considering Wuthering Heights Heathcliff immediately jumps to mind as the villainous character. Upon his return he wickedly orchestrates Hindleys economic demise and takes control of the Heights. He attempts to win Catherine, now a married woman, back and when that fails takes in marriage Isabelle Linton, Edgars sister, with the sole intention of torturing her as a way of avenging himself on Edgar for marrying the woman he loved. When Hindley died Heathcliff took his son,†¦show more content†¦Catherine opted to follow her materialistic desire rather than her heart and thus created a chasm between herself and the man she proclaimed to love because he is, more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same (WH ch. IX pg. 63). Heathcliff is stubborn and refuses to compromise his beliefs and principles. It mattered naught to him that Catherine was not only the love of his life but also the catalyst of catastrophe. Catherine loved to toy with people. She was happiest at the center of everyones life and was a a master of manipulation. Her father doted on her, Nellie catered to her whims, and Edgar endures the presence of a man he likes not at all out of love for her. When Old Mr. Earnshaw returned from his trip with Heathcliff he brought Catherine the ultimate toy; a young impressionable boy with spirit. She made him dependant on her so that no matter her choices in life she would always be the center of someones world. This gift was infinitely better and longer lasting than the whip she had originally asked for. During their childhood Catherines schemes were constantly getting the two of them punished; Heathcliff more often that Catherine. Hindely did not want Catherine associating with the gypsy boy but both Catherine and Heathcliff, being unrestrained rebellious spirits, defied him and continued to see one another, encouraging feelingsShow MoreRelatedCompare And Contrast Heathcliff And Byronic Heroine1089 Words   |  5 Pagesmarriage proposal. Heathcliff is more Cathrine than she herself is. Heathcliff is a Byronic Hero in Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. Because Heathcliff and Catherine are of the same soul, Cath erine is also a Byronic heroine. Heathcliff is more Cathrine than Catherine herself, and therefore more Byronic hero than she is heroine. Bronte’s use of both a Byronic hero and heroine allowed her to criticize a largely male audiences’ dismissal of works by female authors. 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