Don Quixote Candide Faust

Heroism

Classical heroes have tragic flaws: character traits that cause them and others immense suffering in spite of their physical and mental prowess. Don Quixote, Faust, and Candide all ascribe to the classical definition of heroism, as each of these characters demonstrates remarkable and tragic flaws. Don Quixote, the protagonist of Miguel de Cervantes' novel of the same name, emerges as a hero mainly because of his unwavering belief in a romantic vision. However, his delusions cause direct harm to others and contribute to his own mental anguish and eventual downfall. Don Quixote is therefore an ironic and paradoxical hero, for he does not succeed in his quests but nevertheless remains a powerful emblem of heroism. Faust, the titular protagonist of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's work, bears a similar burden as Don Quixote: striving to maintain his personal vision he sacrifices his inner peace. Faust, however, succeeded in his quest for enlightenment and spiritual truth unlike Don Quixote, who died somewhat disillusioned. The title character of Voltaire's Candide undergoes philosophical quests similar to those of Don Quixote and Faust; in the end Candide discovers peace but at the expense of his values and beliefs. All three of these heroes must contend with the difference between illusion and reality, idealism and the truth, in order to emerge as heroes: therefore, self-deception is among their shared tragic flaws.

On the other hand, Don Quixote, Faust, and Candide represent a new type of hero that diverges from the classical variety. Don Quixote, Faust, and Candide are all romantics: their vision of the world is empowered by their passion and their convictions. Although they pursue different aims, all three of these heroes retain a sense of idealism and do not shun emotional attachments. Furthermore, Don Quixote, Faust, and Candide willingly entertain and delve into material pleasures, from which they try to bolster their ideals and values. These characters are heroes not only because they demonstrate remarkable tragic flaws or because they succeed in their quests. Rather, Don Quixote, Faust, and Candide are quintessentially romantic heroes. Unlike their classical Greek counterparts, they incorporate passion and emotionality into their worldviews and are comfortable with paradox and ambiguity.

For instance, Don Quixote unabashedly admits his faults and failings by the end of Cervantes' novel, something that Odysseus would never have done. Faust permits himself to become seduced by worldly pleasures even as he reaches toward spiritual goals. Candide's quest ends in a paradoxical success similar to that of Don Quixote's. Seduced by romance and materialism, Don Quixote, Faust, and Candide all stand on the edge of newly emerging worldviews. As romantic heroes, they bridge the gap between a classical hero and a modern one.