ENG345 Week 5 Assignment - Final Paper

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English

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Apr 3, 2024

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Exploring a Theme in Early British Literature Hilary Wright The University of Arizona Global Campus ENG 345 British Literature I Instructor Adrianne Hanson May 1 st , 2023

The Hero theme is a universal concept that has been explored through literature for centuries. In Shakespeare's play, The Merchant of Venice and William Wycherley's The Gentleman Dancing-Master , this theme is addressed in distinct ways that sheds light on the ways that heroic archetypes have been used to define cultural values in different contexts. Both works explore aspects such as the heroic archetype, heroes vs. villains, and the power of heroic figures to shape cultural values. Through an exploration of these works, a central theme can be identified that speaks to the significance and impact of the hero figure in different contexts. This paper will analyze how the Hero theme is addressed and developed, what relationship this has to the respective historical periods in which the works were written, and demonstrate how the Hero figure can be used as a tool for understanding both culture and history. The concept of the "hero" is an age-old archetype that has been used to explore the values and beliefs of different societies. In The Gentleman Dancing-Master, Wycherley presents a hero figure who embodies traditional ideals of masculinity and strength, with an emphasis on physical prowess. According to Robert Hume, author of The Development of English Drama in the Late Seventeenth Century, this archetype is "a conventional figure for a certain kind of behavior"

(Hume, 2016). By presenting his hero as a physical embodiment of traditional values, Wycherley comments on both the ideals and expectations of an individual's role in society. What this reveals is that heroism can be used as a tool to define and establish cultural values, as well as an individual's identity within the context of those values. The Merchant of Venice, on the other hand, uses the hero archetype to explore a different set of values and ideals. While Shakespeare's play is similar to The Gentleman Dancing-Master in its use of the hero figure as an embodiment of tradition, it also explores the concept from a different angle by introducing themes of mercy and justice. By presenting a hero who is both strong and merciful, Shakespeare highlights the importance of balancing strength with compassion to create a sense of justice within society. This speaks to the values of Renaissance England and shows that heroism can be used as an expression of cultural beliefs and ideals. By analyzing the two works, it is evident that the hero figure can be used to explore cultural values in different contexts. Through their respective presentations of heroism and its relationship with justice, mercy, and strength, both works speak to the universal power of the hero archetype to shape cultural beliefs and values. This analysis has provided insight into how this theme was developed in early British literature, while also demonstrating how the hero figure can be used to understand both culture and history. In The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare presents a hero figure who is distinctly different from Wycherley's. Rather than relying on physical strength as a measure of heroism, he instead focuses on qualities such as loyalty and justice. According to Catherine Atherton in her article "The Politics of 'Venice': Reproducing Difference in the Merchant," the play reveals "the need for justice, mercy and an acceptance of difference" (Atherton, 2017). Through this representation of heroism, Shakespeare captures key aspects of early modern culture that promote tolerance and

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