Instruments of Darkness: An Analysis of Anti-heroic Figures in English Literature

Abstract

This dissertation aims to analyse works of English literature revolving around the figure of the anti-hero. I argue that this type of character is generally future-oriented, contrary to what others have claimed. Anti-heroes act in the present as much as any other type of character does; by doing that, however, they do not focus exclusively on present gratification but tend to pay constant attention to their next moves. What moves the anti-heroes here discussed is the aim of obtaining more and holding on to it with all their strength. For this purpose, Shakespeare’s Macbeth will be analysed through a comparison with Hamlet, while Milton’s Paradise Lost and Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience will be analysed and compared. The popularity of this type of characters will be addressed and explained thanks to the concept of negative empathy.