In class last week we discussed Lord Byron, and how hugely popular he was in his day despite (and because of) his behavior. Byron is arguably the first modern celebrity, and his self-promotion rivals that of contemporary rockstar. A Byronic hero is thought to be dark and handsome, magnetically attractive, and is conflicted and complicated. He may have a mysterious (and possibly dangerous past). He could also be melancholy, cynical, charismatic, sophisticated, rebellious, and world-weary. A Byronic hero usually doesn't respect conventional morality and often seems to lack integrity, but does uphold a personal code of conduct.
To what extent do you think this Romantic superstar has influenced the last 200 years of popular culture? Does it sound similar to the hero or protagonist/antagonist from any movies or books? How pervasive has the idea of a Byronic Hero become culturally? Can you think of any characters from past or present popular culture who shows the influence of a Byronic Hero?
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| George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron by Richard Westall (date unknown) wikiimages |
With the given descrption, the name Johnny Depp could be substituted for Lord Byron. I am not a huge fan of either, but now that I think about it, Depp almost seems to emulate the personality of Lord Byron. He has an unconventional, sometimes dark sense of humor. He looks feminine just as often as he looks masculine to the point that he could play Mary Poppins as esily as Captain Jack Sparrow. Like Lord Byron, despite his eccentricities, he is wildly popular. (Teresa Buretta)
ReplyDeleteLord Bryon as a Romantic Superstar has influenced the last 200 years of popular culture a great deal. One film that shows this influence is “Kill Bill I and II” and the main character Beatrix Kiddo is a femme fatale who was influenced as a Byronic Hero. I say this because the creator Quinton Taranto grew up watching pop culture 1970s kung fu films. He also drew from TV series that had strong women in leading or supporting roles. Kiddo challenges the stereotype that all women are fragile and too weak to be combative. Kiddos very conflicted in that she’s left for dead and is pregnant. Her child is stolen by her ex-husband Bill. Now Kiddo has a vendetta and many reasons for revenge. She is never evil for evils sake because each person she murders has abused her in some way. In one scene she kills a male nurse in the hospital who’s pimped her out and raped her while she’s in a coma. All the revenge is always justly distributed. The Byronic Hero is persuasive culturally because in a way you would love to be able to personally be able to obtain revenge without going to prison. In a sense you wish you could be like them.
ReplyDeleteI would say that the Byronic hero is seen in almost every love story. For example you could use Edward from the twilight series. Very dark and mysterious. Something about that personality makes people crazy about that person. So I would say that the Byronic hero has influenced popular culture immensely.
ReplyDeleteYes, I would say he is the perfect Byronic character. He is the broading, dark, and controlling character that people seem to love or despise.
DeleteI would say that the Byronic hero is very much a part of today's culture. Many novels in today's culture feature male protagonists that have alternate personas that they hide from the world and reputations that far proceed them. Of course, the authors then try ( normally from the point of view of the heroine) to reveal a hidden depth to the character. I think it has become imperative for all novels to have at least one character that has a complicated perception of the world around them. In a way, our culture has placed these tortured, alluring heroes on pedestals. Therefore, it is easy to forgive their faults. I would argue that there is at least one Byronic hero in every story, or at least one character with that kind of complexity. I am not a fan of John Steinbeck, but i think Tom Joad from The Grapes of Wrath is an example of a Byronic hero. There is a darkness to his character, while at the same time he has an acute sensitivity to the people around him.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent example of a Byronic hero could be Robert Downey Jr. Dark, handsome, magnetic, and troubled, Downey has held the hearts of his audience even through his most trying times. Despite his personal flaws, people still cheer for him. He is, essentially, our James Dean, another example of these alluring, quasi-heroes. Both of these men display a rugged and tough exterior while exhibiting the power to feel deeply and portray their art-form, acting.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. Downey is a wonderful example because he is so bold, but the audience feels for him due to the palladium in his chest. Definitely Byronic!
DeleteByron has probably helped inspire the entire concept of the "bad boy" and "wounded soul" type characters. He was basically one on the first major authors to thoughly explore characters of this nature. He wasn't trying to morally instruct or find beauty in nature with his work. He seemed more interested in exploring the darker tendencies of human nature and did so very sucessfully. Characters such as the perfect assasin/ladies man, James Bond, and the quirky pirate, Jack Sparrow are characters are Byronic heroes with their many faults and devil-may-care attitude. I have a feeling that Byron would be proud of these and the many other characters floating around today.
ReplyDeleteReading Lord Byron's works gave me the sense that he was not afraid to bring dirty pleasures and broken souls to the surface. He understood that most everyone (even those high up in society) felt and thought things they wouldn't necessary bring up in church on Sunday. All in all, Byron plays on the fact that we are all broken in some form or fashion- that we are all attracted to the mysterious. By including individuals with these traits in his writings, Byron lures the audience in and forms an emotional bond between the character and the reader. Whether the topic is sensual or centered around an emotional flaw, people love drama and Byron capitalized on that.
ReplyDeleteI did a simple Google search for "Byronic heroes" and was surprised by some of the results. They included: Edward Cullen, Severus Snape, Batman, Jack Sparrow, Scarlett O' Hara, Spiderman, and Wolverine. All of these characters share a need for compassion and are misunderstood by some other figure in their story. While the audience may not have experienced exactly what the protagonist is going through, they are drawn to support them either by curiosity (of all the protagonist has experienced and why they are so jaded) or an attraction to the "bad boy/girl" image radiating from the character.
The portrait of Byron looks a lot like the character, Q, on Star Trek TNG. The actor's name is John de Lancie. He also played on Days of Our Lives on and off for years. From what I have seen of his acting, he tends to play Byronic roles also, mischevious with supernatural powers that he tries to use for good, but often gets him into trouble.
DeleteI definitely believe that Lord Byron's work has definitely made an impact on popular culture. More so now than ever before. I think the seductive nature of people has definitely been brought out in the past few decades in an extreme rate compared to earlier decades. People these days aren't as modest as they were 50years ago. Same goes for books and movies. 50 Shades of Grey is a perfect example. I have not read it, but I have heard the buzz about it. When considering who reminded me of the description above, one character popped into my head right away. Lestat de Lioncourt in Queen of the Damned. He is already the "bad boy" because he is a vampire and then he adds onto that by rebelling against all the vampires in the world. He is sexy, mysterious, and basically as bad as it gets. (that is until the queen is reawakened) :-)
ReplyDeleteKelsey Jackson
Culture has most definitely been altered by Lord Byron's example, most girls at some point want a guy that is tall, dark and handsome. Now the lead women of the culture have also adapted to this thinking, if you notice the lead woman in many movies now, she has dark hair, a cold expression, and a very confusing/mysterious personality. Everything that is not the typical description of women in the past. This makes me think of "The Tourist" with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie, both are very mysterious characters that fit this description perfectly.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was reading the descriptive words of Byron, the first person I thought of was Heath Ledger. He was handsome, sophisticated, dark, and also died at a young age. Many characters definitely demonstrate his traits, showing his influence. Other things have definitely shaped our culture, but it seems he set an early example of being misunderstood.
ReplyDeleteI thought your comment of him being misunderstood deserves the perceptive award, i personally overlooked this even though it is a very influential and i assume many critics would agree with you and me when commenting that it shows up in his room. I dont quite understand the whole picture but like in Don Juan, he intentionally inserted excessive humor to protect the boy from vulnerable situation he may have never overcame except when he builds Don Juans image around his conflicts idk.. I agreed with the heath ledger part too especially in the above portrait of byron, anyway really good post, with real connections. Excuse my rambling though please.
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ReplyDeleteOvercoming his club foot birth defect proving and building his admired persona was a day to day challenge, that if was a test would have been exceeded with intelligent determination. More than capable his entire life he shows no fear to try and transcend beyond the limitations shared by common men, one thing he was not. Forminh him into the untouchable, intriguing, man of vision he was that became one of the first household names, in the way we would understand the phrase today. He excelled past what i conceive to be an imaginary
ReplyDeleteMy opinion of Lord Byron strictly as a man is best revealed if you vision commoners, man, women , and children, Noble and slaves coming together in ecstasy filled free for all wreckless dancing to welcome him as he enters a the gate to their city, but their unsure of why they are dancing. He is a combination of Sherlock Holmes and Russel Crowe.