This paper aims at shedding critical light upon the character
of the "anti-hero" in English literature; therefore, it first offers a
critical definition of the hero and the qualities which he has such as
virtue, bravery, magnanimity and goodness.
Then it moves to
compare the hero with anti-hero who is characterized by cowardice,
deceit and evil. It also traces the incidences of the anti-hero in
several literary works which center upon him which will help us
formulate a clear vision of this character.
The poetic consciousness of the pre-Islamic period is full of various images of the "hero"
whose heroship exceeds the idea of chivalry further up to an extensive richness denoted by
the the lexicon of "heroicism", as well as by the poetic capturing
of the heroic acts. Thus, a
heroic poetry has emerged to be an example followed by many poets later to assimilate
those heroic values.
Generally speaking, the poet of the pre-islamic period is one of the tribe heroes adapting
values of heroship which have always characterised the pre islamic community.
Accordingly, the concept of the " war hero" has formed the the poetic consciousness in
terms of bravery and strength. So well does the "peace hero" as having been the social hero
representing the values of genorosity, good neighbor, and helping the needy. There are also
many other values which can't be separated in many poems, especially when connected
with collective pride that is often represented by heroes carrying the tribal fanaticism.
