Jane Eyre: Rochester as a Byronic Hero
Charlotte Bronte's character Mr. Rochester is clearly an unusual love interest for a romantic novel. He has an abrupt, selfish and arrogant nature, and is far from handsome. Mr. Rochester is stern, rude, and demanding and has a dark and somewhat mysterious personality. However, with the gothic atmosphere of Jane Eyre, it seems almost suiting for the hero to embody many such attributes of a Byronic hero
One of the most prominent literary character types of the Romantic period, the Byronic hero is not conventionally "heroic" and his dark qualities tend to reject the image of a "traditional" hero. We see the influence Byron's poetry had on Bronte's writing; when in Jane Eyre, Bronte makes a reference to one of his works, The Corsair, "Here then is a Corsair-song. Know that I dote on Corsairs; and for that reason, sing it 'con spirito'" (ch.17).
In Chapter 11 of Jane Eyre, Jane asks of Mrs. Fairfax, "What, in short, is his [Mr. Rochester's] character?" To this Mrs. Fairfax replies, "He is rather peculiar, perhaps: he has travelled a great deal, and seen a great deal of the world, I should think. I dare say he is clever". This account of Mr. Rochester by Mrs. Fairfax establishes him as a sort of wanderer. Her description agrees with the traits usually related to a Byronic hero. The Byronic hero tends to be unsociable and isolated from the society, either voluntarily or due to impositions placed by some other influence. He is usually well travelled, and has often come into conflict during his journeys. This is found to be true for Rochester's trip to Jamaica and the consequences that came of his meeting Bertha Mason there.
An example of the Byronic hero, Rochester is a passionate man, guided more by emotions than by reason. For instance, when he first met Bertha Mason, his immediate attraction to her lavish qualities resulted in their tragic marriage. In the same way, he allows himself to be lead by his desire for Céline Varens, despite its immorality.
One of the most prominent literary character types of the Romantic period, the Byronic hero is not conventionally "heroic" and his dark qualities tend to reject the image of a "traditional" hero. We see the influence Byron's poetry had on Bronte's writing; when in Jane Eyre, Bronte makes a reference to one of his works, The Corsair, "Here then is a Corsair-song. Know that I dote on Corsairs; and for that reason, sing it 'con spirito'" (ch.17).
In Chapter 11 of Jane Eyre, Jane asks of Mrs. Fairfax, "What, in short, is his [Mr. Rochester's] character?" To this Mrs. Fairfax replies, "He is rather peculiar, perhaps: he has travelled a great deal, and seen a great deal of the world, I should think. I dare say he is clever". This account of Mr. Rochester by Mrs. Fairfax establishes him as a sort of wanderer. Her description agrees with the traits usually related to a Byronic hero. The Byronic hero tends to be unsociable and isolated from the society, either voluntarily or due to impositions placed by some other influence. He is usually well travelled, and has often come into conflict during his journeys. This is found to be true for Rochester's trip to Jamaica and the consequences that came of his meeting Bertha Mason there.
An example of the Byronic hero, Rochester is a passionate man, guided more by emotions than by reason. For instance, when he first met Bertha Mason, his immediate attraction to her lavish qualities resulted in their tragic marriage. In the same way, he allows himself to be lead by his desire for Céline Varens, despite its immorality.