Summary
The Time of the Hero (1963) argues that love, particularly Hero’s, can transform actions considered "worst" into the "best," even leading her to prioritize her heart’s desires over societal and religious duties. This perspective challenges conventional morality, suggesting that true devotion makes one’s beloved the ultimate deity, above established gods. The novel also explores the societal perception of honor as something "purchas'd by the deeds we do," contrasting with Hero's internal devotion. A central theme is the power of beauty and love to enthrall, causing men to pine and even die in its presence, and highlighting the contrast between Hero’s perceived purity and the hypocrisy of others in similar positions.
Readers will understand how the narrative examines the conflict between personal devotion and public duty, the societal construction of honor, and the overwhelming, potentially destructive, power of love and beauty. The book presents a world where actions are judged not solely by their adherence to rules, but by the sincerity of the heart behind them, suggesting that "virtuous love" can redefine what is considered "best" or "worst." The narrative also critiques the superficiality of religious figures who condemn others while failing to uphold their own duties.
Key concepts
- Grand Atheism — The idea that prioritizing personal love and life above traditional religious profession and thought constitutes a form of atheism.
- Honour as Deeds — The concept that honor is not inherent but must be earned through specific, honorable actions.
- Love's Conquest — The theme of affection and passion being metaphorically captured and controlled by the intellect and will, often through artistic expression.
- Hero's Sacrifice — The ritualistic burning of offerings by Hero, which produces "unsavoury fumes" and portends negative outcomes.
- Proteus and Sea-Agate — The mythological figure Proteus and the material sea-agate used in Venus' temple, suggesting themes of transformation and the sea.
From the book
Title: The Time of the Hero (1963) by Mario Vargas LlosaFor works with similar titles, see Hero and Leander . ← Hero and Leander ( 1821 ) Christopher Marlowe and George Chapman Preface → 53206 Hero and Leander 1821 Christopher Marlowe and George Chapman HERO AND LEANDER. BY MARLOW AND CHAPMAN. page HERO AND LEANDER. A Poem. BY CHRISTOPHER MARLOW , AND GEORGE CHAPMAN . A NEW EDITION, REVISED AND CORRECTED; WITH A CRITICAL PREFACE. —————— A story of deep love, How young Leander crossed the Hellespont. SHAKSPEARE Chiswick: FROM THE PRESS OF C. WHITTINGHAM, COLLEGE HOUSE. M DCCC XXI. page DEDICATION. To the greatest genius born since the glorious day of Michel-Agnolo , HENRY FUSELI, ESQ. A. M. AND P.P. ROY. ACAD. who, in his embodied conception of Hero and Leander, has raised mortal…
Popular questions readers ask
- The dedication to Sir T. Walsingham describes the writer as an "executor to the vnhappie deceased author." Explain in your own words the specific duties and motivations this "executor" outlines, and how these sentiments might influence a reader's initial understanding of Marlowe's contribution to the poem.
- Compare and contrast the *purpose* and *intended audience* of the dedication to Henry Fuseli with the dedication to Sir T. Walsingham. What do their differences reveal about how a literary work's value and meaning can be reinterpreted across different historical eras?
- The 1821 edition is presented as "REVISED AND CORRECTED; WITH A CRITICAL PREFACE." What specific reasons might an editor in 1821 have had to revise and correct a work by acclaimed authors like Marlowe and Chapman, and what does this imply about the evolution of literary standards or interpretation?
- The text attributes "Hero and Leander" to both Christopher Marlowe and George Chapman. Based on the excerpt, what specific clues suggest the *nature* of their collaboration or the circumstances surrounding the poem's completion and publication?
- Beyond the poem itself, how do the various "paratextual" elements mentioned (prefaces, dedications, postscript) collectively frame the reader's experience and shape their perception of "Hero and Leander" before they even begin reading the main narrative?