The Walking Dead Byronic Hero Essay

Daryl Dixon: The Byronic Hero of the Zombie Apocalypse A Byronic hero is an unconventional bad boy who is reluctant to help. Some characteristics of these Byronic heroes is: a troubled past, mysterious, lack of confidence, and acts on self-interest Daryl Dixon is the iconic bad boy who steps in when there is no other -choice. His troubled past, self-interest, and self-critical attitude makes him the perfect Byronic hero.
Not much is known about Daryl’s past, but one thing AMC’s The Walking Dead does tell us about is that he was abused by his father as a child. The abuse and neglect from his parents makes him untrustworthy of people. This past is a defining characteristic of Daryl’s character in the first few seasons of the show. He lets …show more content…
Daryl is the leader of the search party, and when Sophia shows up as a walker Daryl feels that he failed because he didn’t find her in time. Another example of Daryl being self-critical is when the prison is over run by walkers in season four he feels that he failed the group. He felt that there was a way he could have stopped the attack, but in reality it was inevitable. After the fall of the prison Beth Greene, and teenager, is placed in Daryl’s care. Beth and Daryl get separated. Beth is captured and forced to work. In season five Daryl and Beth are reunited for only a moment, and then Beth is shot and killed. Daryl once again feel like he failed because he was supposed to take care of her (Barnett). While most of these situations were inevitable Daryl always felt like he could have stopped these things from happening.
Daryl Dixon is your typical bad boy turned hero. He perfectly fits the description of a Byronic hero. His past was nothing like that of normal comic book heroes. His self-reliance gives him the appearance that he doesn’t care, when he actually does. Even though some of the situations he’s placed in are unavoidable he always finds a way to blame himself for what happens. Daryl Dixon is the Byronic hero of the zombie apocalypse. He’s the unconventional hero that steps up and fights for what’s

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