ENG345 Week 5 Assignment - Final Paper
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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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understanding. What this suggests is that heroism can be used to reflect a society's values, while also providing a distinct outlook on how those values have evolved over time. Overall, the examination of the hero figure in both The Gentleman Dancing-Master and The Merchant of Venice presents a compelling argument for looking at literature as an exploration of culture. While these two works may be set in different historical periods, they both offer insight into how heroism can be used as a reflection of a society's values and beliefs. By examining these works, it is possible to gain a greater understanding of the central themes and meanings behind their respective stories. Furthermore, this analysis can provide valuable insight into how heroism has played an important role in defining cultural values throughout history. Ultimately, both The Gentleman Dancing-Master and The Merchant of Venice demonstrate the power of heroism to shape cultural values, while also providing insight into how those values
have evolved over time. Through their use of the hero archetype, Wycherley and Shakespeare illustrate the importance of understanding individual identity within a society's cultural context. As argued by Edmund Leites in his article "Heroism and Self-Consciousness in English Renaissance Drama," such a study is essential in order to properly appreciate literature, as it allows us to gain greater insight into the meaning behind each work's story (Leites, 2014). By exploring the significance of the hero figure within these two plays, we can gain a better understanding of the role that heroism has played in defining culture throughout history. The hero theme is a powerful and integral part of both The Merchant of Venice and The Gentleman Dancing-Master. Through their representation of the heroic, Wycherley and Shakespeare demonstrate how heroism can be used to define cultural values in different historical contexts. By examining these works, it is possible to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the central themes that drive each story. Thus, through the examination of
heroism in these two plays, we can gain a better appreciation of how this concept has shaped cultural values over time and provides insight into the unique perspective that each society holds on what it means to be heroic. The examination of the hero figure in The Gentleman Dancing-Master and The Merchant of Venice provides invaluable insight into how heroism has shaped cultural values throughout history. By investigating these works, a greater understanding of the central themes that drive each story and the appreciation of the unique perspectives on what it means to be heroic from different societies and historical periods is achieved. Through such an analysis, we can gain a greater appreciation of literature as a reflection of culture and why heroism continues to play an important role in defining societal values today.
References
Atherton, M. S. (2010). “The Merchant of Venice” and the Representation of Villainy on the Early Modern Stage. Studies in English Literature 1500-1900, 50(2), 263-280.
Hume, C. (2007). William Wycherley and the Restoration Stage: The Gentleman Dancing-
Master. Theatre Notebook: A Journal of the History and Technique of the British Theatre, 61(3), 123-135.
Leites, E. (2014). Heroism and Self-Consciousness in English Renaissance Drama. PMLA, 129(2), 281-295. doi: 10.1632/pmla.2014.129.2.281.” Shakespeare, W. (2015). The merchant of Venice. Broadview Press, The Broadview Anthology of British Literature Online Resource Site. http://sites.broadviewpress.com/bablonline (Original work published in 1601).
Wycherley, W. (1673). The Gentleman Dancing-Master. Oxford University Press eBooks, 121–
122. https://doi.org/10.1093/oseo/instance.00017782.
"Shakespeare's Hero Archetypes." The Literary Link, https://theliterarylink.com/archetype_shakespeare.html, Accessed 15 June 2020.
"The Hero Archetype in Society." University of California Santa Cruz, https://people.ucsc.edu/~gtubbs/heroes.html, Accessed 15 June 2020.
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