Qualities that Make or Break a Character Coming from ancient times, tales of extraordinary godlike heroes captivated the minds of the listeners. Heroes expatiated became more so of the mundane. This is evident in the life of David Balfour in the novel “Kidnapped.” Davie is but a young boy of seventeen who is orphaned and left with no inheritance, his parents being of common means acquired such inconsequential wealth. Yet Davie has extensive correlation with heroes of early legends. Characteristics of a modern hero are found in a plethora of qualities in the hero 's life, like their courage, honor, devotion in faith, and long quests seeking adventure. They relate to ancient text with less distortion of reality. Regarding the era of the author,
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Arthur is an unyielding leader to a class of valiant and gallant knights. Arthur’s qualities include that of being a selfless and fearless commander. Seen in the tale of the Green Knight, Arthur is stout and firm when addressed by the Green Knight. “Arthur steps forward, inviting the knight to join the feast and tell his tale after he has dismounted from his horse.”(SparkNotes) After the direct callowness of the imposter refusing the gracious offer, Arthur still acts with maturity and stoicism. “Arthur soon steps forward to take on the challenge.” (SparkNotes) As well as these more humanlike examples we see his superhuman qualities in his death. Once Arthur’s potent weapon Excalibur is thrust into the depths of the lake he is greeted by three ladies of the water. Arthur explains to Bedivere, “I now must be taken to Avalon for my wound to be healed.”(Allen et al 260) The destination labeled Avalon references Celtic Legend. Avalon is a sort of paradise which heroes are taken after death. This makes Arthur equal in status to that of Beowulf.The two men now previously mentioned Beowulf and Arthur are obviously the epic idealistic Heroes, but what can be said for the subsequent hero David Balfour? He holds a much more relatable aspect to a …show more content…
The Doctor steals from his patients in order to receive an increase in gold from unjust payments. “Gold stimulates the heart, or so we are told. He therefore had a special love for gold.”(Allen et al 156)The Friar, a man of the church, is supposed to support the congregation. This particular Friar does nothing of the sort. The Friar hears confessions daily, instead of being a nobleman and aiding the weak in heart, he charges a fare on every sin that the person wishes to relieve of their conscience . This so called clergyman is just a common crook. Like the Friar and Doctor, the Pardoner has an extreme lust for gold. The Pardoner is of no affiliation to the church, but yet is in possession of a “[b]rimful of pardons that come from Rome.”(Allen et al 162) As if to absolve the individual and relieve a heavy heart. “In church he was a noble ecclesiast,”(Allen et al 163) giving off the appearance of faithful devotion. Disregarding his lack of religious background, the Pardoner also charges a hefty fee to be pardoned, due to his wealth being his only desire. Now it is common that many villains are driven by lust and greed. They all have in common the insane idea of money being the root of their happiness. In relation to Grendel’s mother Ebenezer also has a common trait. They both are unforgiving of past events. Grendel’s Mother seeks
Arthur is an unyielding leader to a class of valiant and gallant knights. Arthur’s qualities include that of being a selfless and fearless commander. Seen in the tale of the Green Knight, Arthur is stout and firm when addressed by the Green Knight. “Arthur steps forward, inviting the knight to join the feast and tell his tale after he has dismounted from his horse.”(SparkNotes) After the direct callowness of the imposter refusing the gracious offer, Arthur still acts with maturity and stoicism. “Arthur soon steps forward to take on the challenge.” (SparkNotes) As well as these more humanlike examples we see his superhuman qualities in his death. Once Arthur’s potent weapon Excalibur is thrust into the depths of the lake he is greeted by three ladies of the water. Arthur explains to Bedivere, “I now must be taken to Avalon for my wound to be healed.”(Allen et al 260) The destination labeled Avalon references Celtic Legend. Avalon is a sort of paradise which heroes are taken after death. This makes Arthur equal in status to that of Beowulf.The two men now previously mentioned Beowulf and Arthur are obviously the epic idealistic Heroes, but what can be said for the subsequent hero David Balfour? He holds a much more relatable aspect to a …show more content…
The Doctor steals from his patients in order to receive an increase in gold from unjust payments. “Gold stimulates the heart, or so we are told. He therefore had a special love for gold.”(Allen et al 156)The Friar, a man of the church, is supposed to support the congregation. This particular Friar does nothing of the sort. The Friar hears confessions daily, instead of being a nobleman and aiding the weak in heart, he charges a fare on every sin that the person wishes to relieve of their conscience . This so called clergyman is just a common crook. Like the Friar and Doctor, the Pardoner has an extreme lust for gold. The Pardoner is of no affiliation to the church, but yet is in possession of a “[b]rimful of pardons that come from Rome.”(Allen et al 162) As if to absolve the individual and relieve a heavy heart. “In church he was a noble ecclesiast,”(Allen et al 163) giving off the appearance of faithful devotion. Disregarding his lack of religious background, the Pardoner also charges a hefty fee to be pardoned, due to his wealth being his only desire. Now it is common that many villains are driven by lust and greed. They all have in common the insane idea of money being the root of their happiness. In relation to Grendel’s mother Ebenezer also has a common trait. They both are unforgiving of past events. Grendel’s Mother seeks