In Which the Phrase from The Playboy of the Western World is Concerned

I realized I forgot to address a certain phrase...

Act Three. Page 108. A little bit farther than halfway down the page. Christy is tied up.

Shawn: I'm afeard of him. [To Pegeen] Lift a lighted sod, will you, and scorch his leg.

This epitomizes Shawn. His timid, cowardly side, yet though he is afraid of being hurt himself, he feels no qualms about inflicting pain on another. He seems to be a proper Catholic, but does not observe love thy neighbor as thyself...

Is this why he is so un-heroic??? His inability to forgive, that his greatest strength and trait (his Catholicism) becomes his greatest fault (his inability to follow it completely). He appears to be completely devoted, but does not follow it to the greatest extent in his ability.

So maybe instead of criticizing staunch Catholicism, as I thought yesterday, maybe Synge is criticizing those who claim to be staunch Catholics, but truly aren't. He's criticizing the opposites of what they say and what they actually do.

In Which The Playboy of the Western World is Concerned

Heroism and The Playboy of the Western World by J.M. Synge

I believe it is generally agreed that Shawn is as un-heroic as it gets. He's cowardly, falls short of his word, and is hypocritical as well. *shudders* I tried to like him, truly, I did. But it didn't work. What does this say about Synge's perception of Shawn and similar staunch Cathloics?? I can't find what Synge's religion was, but was was interested in Darwin, so maybe Shawn is his way of going against the staunch Cathloics? Wouldn't this cause issues in Ireland where they fought against the Church of England and Protastantism for Cathloicism?

Christy, despite my inherent dislike of the fellow, follows many of the elements of the heroic code. He finds/attempts to find his place in society, wants to be recognized, persues prizes, fame, etc.; nor does he want to loose face/honor, at least in Pegeen's eyes. Yet I have difficulty seeing Christy as a hero. The comentary states that "the likes of Christy Mahon are appropriate contemporary heroes rather than the truly heroic figures from Ireland's past" (22).

In Which King Lear is Concerned

Heroism in King Lear:

I think it depends on personal taste in this case--who one qualifies as a hero and who one does not. Thus, I will attempt to base my determinations off of the "Heroic Code," which can be found on Mr. Trotter's website in regards to Greek Mythology. Here (hopefully) is a direct link to the document: http://arapahoe.littletonpublicschools.net/Portals/7/Language%20Arts/Trotter/Myth/HeroicElementsr.pdf

My personal favorite character is Albany. He is not inflicted by hubris and does not "want to loose face or honor." He ignores pressure to fight for his interests (how to exploit and get the most land and money possible) as many other characters are. Albany pursues prizes, but maybe not in the traditional sense. He is not worries about fame or money, but instead prizes respect, love, and loyalty. He makes peace with himself and finds his "identity and role in being part of a warrior society."

Edgar is possibly one of the most "heroic" heroes in Lear. He meets many (if not all) of the qualifications under the Heroic Code. I personally have issues with the idea that one must "Pursue prizes, fame, and a division of spoils" to be a hero. This can have both positive and negative connotations, but I tend to identify more immediately the negative. However, he does "pursue...fame." A division of spoils for Edgar that he seeks is recognition that it was not he, Edgar, who committed dastardly deeds--a clearing of his name.

Even, in a way, Edmund qualifies as a hero. Although he does not meet all elements of the heroic code (he doesn't seem too concerned with loosing his "face or honor"), he does meet others, such as finding his "place in a warrior society", "desiring to be recognized", and a "quest for immortality" (which can be interpreted as power, as power=ability to make impact (positive or negative)=being remembered (good or bad)=a form of immortality). He definitely pursues prizes, fame, and a division of the spoils (ok...he wants all the spoils). Edmund is, in a way, the antihero.

Thus, King Lear seems to epitomize the classical hero, one who knows where they belong in a warrior society (generally being a warrior himself), desires to be recognized and immortal, values face and honor, follows what he does best as well as the spoils and fame, and attempts to follow the heroic code. The women are generally depicted as being corrupt and non-heroic, except for Cordelia, who is extremely static. Thus, sheroes are a non-issue. I couldn't help but notice that the heroic code is geared towards males.

Whould the heroic code be different for girls??

Then...did Shakespeare, or those in the Elizabethan era, value classicalism, or at least traditional values such as face, honor, the strife of excellence?