A byronic hero is described as “an antihero of the highest order”. He is more often than not in a state of complete arrogance and rebellion. They shy away from social activities, however the author always has this character exude enticing mysterious romance, in which the main character falls madly in love with. In the case of the classic novel, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, the controversial, Mr. Rochester, would be considered the byronic hero. He’s very troubled and moody, as well as captivating and egotistical. This romantic literary character is key to this novel and without a doubt is the strong byronic hero that every reader strives to find in all the books they read.
Edward Rochester is a complicated, fairly unattractive man that appears to have a cold heart towards everyone and everything. However, Jane was able to look past his rigid appearance and falls for him eagerly. Rochester naturally, not just because of his gender, although that did play a role in the fact, was superior to Jane because of his social rank and fortune. Jane on the other hand has grown into a widely intelligent and respected woman, and intellectually has become his equal which he adores.
Jane and Edward were set to be married, living a life of happiness, and love. However such bliss was doomed to be interrupted for Jane. The journey to make her the strong, known, and admired character was nowhere near finished. Her engagement is brutally interrupted when she is made aware that Rochester is already married to a woman named Bertha Mason, and from this moment on without a doubt Jane is acknowledged as the moral, and righteous superior in their relationship, and will remain that way.
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After talking with Rochester she finds out that he was tricked into marrying Bertha only to find out she is mentally ill. Knowing this Jane temporarily decides to overlook the matter. But she is morally obligated to go against what she wants, knowing that living with Edward as his mistress would be the bitter end to whatever dignity she had. Rochester in hearing how she feels admits and pleads his love for Jane, and how he regrets his past lust and rash decisions he made with Bertha. Despite his begging she still refused to marry him. Not because of his previous marriage but because she realized that being the inferior in the relationship would transform her into a woman that clung to his love and was dependent on him completely and that is not something she wanted for herself.
In the end she makes the declaration that she will not marry him until she has a fortune and people to love of her own so that she could be his equal on all levels. Rochester being caught up in all of this chaos loses his house, and becomes more weak and needing than he ever has before. Jane has only grown in strength and is finally able to say that they are equals and decides to go on with the wedding.
These last few paragraphs have described Mr. Rochester’s role in this iconic novel, and how important of a piece he was and is in making the storyline what it is. Although compared to Jane his character is definitely overshadowed, but when used together they greatly complement one another. Mr. Rochester is a Byronic Hero because of who he naturally is. From the beginning he is introduced while on horseback, he is given the sense of pure mystery, however in the comments he suffocates you with his overwhelming sense of arrogance.
There are two types of byronic heros, one where the character succumbs to evil, and the other where he gives up his dark habits in order to be something good. Rochester is the second time. He regrets his past life mistakes, and understands that what he did may ultimately jeopardize his pursuit for happiness in the long run. He had a hasty marriage with a family that was eager to get rid of their mentally challenged daughter. Like most byronic heroes he had a very troubled past, his father did not care about him and left him with nothing. His insecure relationship with his dad caused him to become very cautious and untrusting towards others.