Romantic Heroes Essay - 808 Words

The Romantic hero, fashioned by the Romantics, is portrayed as a paradigmatic, random individual with a particular purpose. The Romantic hero begins his mission by following his inner light, in order to achieve his goal. He will not rest until it is consummated. Through two of Longfellows works, A Psalm of Life, and Excelsior, Longfellow illustrates the full picture of a Romantic hero. The description that Longfellow gives is so precise, that it can cause a reader to question Hawthornes, another Romantics character, Young Goodman Brown, as an actual romantic hero. In both Excelsior and A Psalm of Life, Longfellow creates the two different Romantic heroes with specific inner lights. Although the two different characters have†¦show more content†¦Human life, he declares, would not be life without the dream of life after death. Setting an example is also an integral part of being a Romantic hero. Longfellow believes that man creates his own fate through the choices he makes. A person can find the purpose, or even his purpose, of life through the decisions he makes. Not everyone will end up happy, but leading a life of achievement will offer an ending to an existence well worth living. Longfellow discusses this in his work. The boy in Excelsior tries to fulfill his destiny when he, half buried in the snow was found, still grasping in his hand of ice, that banner with the strange device. Longfellow wants the readers to learn from this boy. The youth was sent to complete a task and with every last breath of air he attempts to fulfill his destiny. The boy in the poem dies on the mountain but his spirit still goes on. Even though the boy never reached his goal, Longfellow wants the reader to note that he died trying. The poem tells the reader that the boy is serene and far, or in other words, he chooses to still climb. A Psalm of Life has a different kind of message that can be le arnt from. Not enjoyment and not sorrow is our destined end or way but to act that each tomorrow find us farther than today. This line in particular provides an imagery of people trying to find their way on their own, but being too afraid to do so. Longfellows Romantic hero is explainingShow MoreRelatedSatan Is Evil Or Evil?1330 Words   |  6 Pagessecond chance. Other Scholars have also had this idea of Satan not being the true antagonist of Paradise Lost. In the John M. Steadman article â€Å"The Idea of Satan as the Hero of ‘Paradise Lost†, stating that â€Å"because there are multiple definitions of heroes, such as Homeric, Christian Theological Hollywood, Byronic, and Personal, Satan can’t be contained to just one particular idea† (254-5). According to the traditional definition, God himself cannot be categorized as a hero because of how he is portrayedRead MoreIrony and Sarcasm in A Mystery of Heroism and War is Kind Essay examples947 Words   |  4 Pagesaccurately portray real life. 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