Doubtless, the Greek epic poems Iliad and Odyssey, composed in the 8th century BC, are two of the most renowned epics of Western culture. Dealing with the Greek struggle against Troy, the works depict the deeds of legendary heroes like Hector, Achilles or Ulysses. Be it for the defence of their country or for the acquisition of fame, these men battle, always teeming with power, strength, courage and bravery. Later on, the influences of these primary epics range from Virgil to Milton or Fielding and Dryden, above all culminating in the Homeric impact on the heroic poetry of the Renaissance period. In Britain, the mythological Celtic work about The Legend of King Arthur and his Round Table from the 5th century BC upholds the tradition of the male warrior hero. The episodes concentrate on various heroic deeds, particularly on the conquest of the Holy Grail. Fascinated by the deeds of King Arthur and his knights, innumerable writers of various periods derive their own stories from this topic as for instance Sir Thomas Malory in Le Morte Darthur or the Arthurian cycle of Tennyson. Lately, with Troy and King Arthur Hollywood screened two blockbusters, substantiating the motif of the male warrior hero. These top-sellers prove that men still goes in for the epic stories about heroes and their heroic actions. Indeed, people always have been attracted and nearly obsessed by the stories about outstanding figures, be it the Indian Mahabharata, the Anglo-Saxon Beowulf or the German Nibelungenlied. Even if the actions are not always conclusive they often foster a basis for collective identification and influence the behaviour of the community. Either society idealize the deeds of the hero, projecting their desires on him, or, as often as not, this man is rejected and feared. Nevertheless, this person sets himself against the meaningless and accepts his vices and virtues, eventually rising above the average man, due to his heroic powers. Although social connections and personal motivation have been changing continually during the last centuries, the hero still embodies universal characteristics and men like Paris, Agamemnon, Galahad or Lancelot reappear in literature continually, nourishing the image of the heroic warrior. This is a man’s world where masculinity is defined in the epic realm of the hero. [...]
Table of Contents
- A Introduction
- B 1. Masculinities and heroism
- 1.1 Outline of the term masculinities
- 1.2 Outline of the term heroism
- 1.3 The hero and his ambiguous relation to society
- 2. Carlyle’s considerations on heroism
- 3. Representations of masculinities and heroism in literature
- 3.1 The Wanderer
- 3.1.1 Context
- 3.1.2 Evaluation of The Wanderer
- 3.2 Coriolanus
- 3.2.1 Context
- 3.2.2 Evaluation of Coriolanus
- 3.3 The Man of Feeling
- 3.3.1 Context
- 3.3.2 Evaluation of The Man of Feeling
- 3.4 About a Boy
- 3.4.1 Context
- 3.4.2 Evaluation of About a Boy
- 3.1 The Wanderer
- 4. Comparison of the representations of masculinities and heroism in literature
- C Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper explores the relationship between masculinities and heroism, focusing on how these concepts are represented in literature across different historical periods. The analysis examines how societal values, cultural norms, and individual experiences shape the definition of both masculinity and heroism, highlighting the evolving nature of these concepts. The study also considers the often-overlooked influence of femininity on the construction of masculine heroism.
- The evolution of the concept of masculinity across different historical periods.
- The changing definition of heroism in literature and its relationship to societal values.
- The influence of social contexts and cultural norms on the representation of masculinity and heroism.
- The role of femininity in shaping and challenging traditional notions of masculine heroism.
- A comparative analysis of masculinity and heroism across diverse literary works.
Chapter Summaries
1. Masculinities and heroism: This introductory chapter establishes the theoretical framework for the analysis. It provides an outline of the term "masculinities," highlighting its fluidity and dependence on social, cultural, and historical factors, rejecting the notion of a single, universal masculinity. The chapter then outlines the term "heroism," distinguishing it from the more general term "protagonist" and emphasizing the heroic figure's ambiguous relationship with society, highlighting both idealization and rejection. The chapter concludes by discussing the hero's often-contradictory position within the social structure, emphasizing that societal acceptance or rejection significantly shapes the hero’s narrative.
2. Carlyle’s considerations on heroism: This chapter examines Thomas Carlyle's work, "On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History," analyzing his perspective on the evolving nature of heroism across different historical periods and societies. Carlyle's view emphasizes the continuous adaptation of the heroic ideal to changing social and historical contexts while maintaining the enduring significance of hero-worship itself. The chapter highlights Carlyle’s belief that heroes, responding to their times, bring about historical change, and the crucial role they play in society’s response to dissatisfaction and despair.
3. Representations of masculinities and heroism in literature: This chapter provides in-depth analyses of four literary works – *The Wanderer*, *Coriolanus*, *The Man of Feeling*, and *About a Boy* – illustrating how the concepts of masculinity and heroism are portrayed across diverse historical periods and genres. Each analysis considers the specific social and cultural context of the work and its influence on the representation of male characters, exploring the tensions between individual expression and societal expectations. The chapter highlights the changing conceptions of masculinity and heroism, including the increasing importance of emotional expression and the complex interplay between masculine and feminine attributes.
4. Comparison of the representations of masculinities and heroism in literature: This chapter synthesizes the findings from the previous chapter, comparing and contrasting the depictions of masculinity and heroism across the four literary works. It emphasizes the dynamic relationship between these concepts and the various societal and cultural forces that shape their meanings. The chapter explores the consistent, albeit nuanced, presence of feminine influences in the formation and challenge of masculine heroism, and how these works contribute to a broader understanding of the evolving nature of both concepts.
Keywords
Masculinity, heroism, literature, societal values, cultural norms, historical context, gender, femininity, *The Wanderer*, *Coriolanus*, *The Man of Feeling*, *About a Boy*, Thomas Carlyle, hero-worship, sentimentalism, cynical young man.
FAQ: A Comprehensive Language Preview: Masculinities and Heroism in Literature
What is the overall focus of this academic paper?
This paper explores the relationship between masculinities and heroism, examining how these concepts are represented in literature across different historical periods. It analyzes how societal values, cultural norms, and individual experiences shape the definition of both masculinity and heroism, highlighting their evolving nature and the often-overlooked influence of femininity on the construction of masculine heroism.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the evolution of masculinity across different historical periods; the changing definition of heroism and its relationship to societal values; the influence of social contexts and cultural norms on the representation of masculinity and heroism; the role of femininity in shaping and challenging traditional notions of masculine heroism; and a comparative analysis of masculinity and heroism across diverse literary works.
What literary works are analyzed in the paper?
The paper provides in-depth analyses of four literary works: The Wanderer, Coriolanus, The Man of Feeling, and About a Boy. These works are chosen to illustrate the diverse representations of masculinity and heroism across different historical periods and genres.
How does the paper approach the concept of "masculinity"?
The paper rejects the notion of a single, universal masculinity, highlighting its fluidity and dependence on social, cultural, and historical factors. It acknowledges the evolving nature of masculinity and its complex interplay with femininity.
How does the paper define "heroism"?
The paper distinguishes heroism from the more general term "protagonist," emphasizing the heroic figure's ambiguous relationship with society, highlighting both idealization and rejection. It focuses on the hero's often-contradictory position within the social structure and how societal acceptance or rejection shapes their narrative.
What is the significance of Thomas Carlyle's work in this paper?
The paper examines Thomas Carlyle's "On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History," analyzing his perspective on the evolving nature of heroism across different historical periods and societies. Carlyle's view on the continuous adaptation of the heroic ideal and the enduring significance of hero-worship is central to the paper's analysis.
How are the chosen literary works compared and contrasted?
A dedicated chapter synthesizes the findings from the individual analyses of the four literary works, comparing and contrasting the depictions of masculinity and heroism. It emphasizes the dynamic relationship between these concepts and the societal and cultural forces that shape their meanings, including the consistent influence of feminine perspectives.
What is the overall conclusion of the paper?
The paper concludes by summarizing the key findings, emphasizing the dynamic and evolving nature of both masculinity and heroism across different historical periods and literary genres. It underscores the complex interplay between these concepts and societal forces, and the consistent, yet nuanced, presence of feminine influences in shaping and challenging traditional notions of masculine heroism.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: Masculinity, heroism, literature, societal values, cultural norms, historical context, gender, femininity, The Wanderer, Coriolanus, The Man of Feeling, About a Boy, Thomas Carlyle, hero-worship, sentimentalism, cynical young man.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Stephanie Wenzl (Autor:in), 2004, Heroism and Masculinities, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/40391
