Anti-Hero Paper

In fiction, an anti-hero is a protagonist who is lacking the traditional heroic attributes and
qualities, and instead possesses character traits that are antithetical to heroism.

• Idea of the Anti-hero: Hero that lacks the traditional heroics characteristics: Batman, Tom
Jones, Willy Loman, Yossarian, James Dean’s character in Rebel Without a Cause,
Murphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, etc.
• They can be underhanded and/or evil. They can win or lose.
• They can be full of angst and self-doubt. Or, they can be utterly reckless and full of pride.
• For an anti-hero to be an anti-hero, though, the audience must feel some sympathy or
affinity for the character and his/her struggle. An anti-hero isn’t just a bad guy whom you
think is “bad-a**.”

Many critics view Satan as the hero, or more properly, the anti-hero, of Paradise Lost. He is
brash, conceited, and delusional about his own power, but he is, from some perspectives,
admirable in his utter self-will. He wants to be completely autonomous from God. (Also,
some interpret that Satan as the hero of the work because he is more interesting and well-
drawn than either God or Adam.)

Your task:

Write a 600 word paper exploring the qualities of an anti-hero in a book, TV show or movie. In
doing so, you MUST COMPARE the character with Milton’s Satan AND include four short,
blended quotes from book one of Paradise Lost.

Major Grade
Due Thursday, January 28

You will receive the rubric and further instructions tomorrow.