THE EVOLUTION OF THE HEROIC IDEAL: FROM THE ANGLO SAXON WARRIOR TO THE ROMANTIC INDIVIDUALIST
Keywords:
heroic ideal, Anglo-Saxon literature, Romanticism, Beowulf, individualism, heroismAbstract
This article explores the transformation of the heroic ideal in English literature,
tracing its evolution from the collective, warrior-centered model of the Anglo-Saxon
period to the introspective and individualistic hero of the Romantic era. By examining
key literary texts such as Beowulf and selected works of Romantic poets, the study
highlights how social values, religious beliefs, and historical changes reshaped the
concept of heroism. The Anglo-Saxon hero is defined by physical strength, loyalty,
and communal responsibility, whereas the Romantic hero emphasizes personal
emotion, imagination, and individual freedom. The article argues that this shift reflects
a broader cultural transition from external action to internal experience, revealing how
literature mirrors changing human ideals and worldviews.
References
Beowulf. Translated by Seamus Heaney. W. W. Norton, 2000.
Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Cengage Learning, 2015.
Wordsworth, W. Lyrical Ballads. London, 1798.
Byron, G. G. Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage. London, 1812.
Shelley, P. B. A Defence of Poetry. London, 1821.
