What is a traditional hero? In many literary works, the author portrays a character who faces many difficult obstacles, in which the character often prevails and becomes a hero. The challenges the character is subjected to allow the reader to appreciate him because of his courage, his courage and his willingness to sacrifice. In Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, many readers come to see Heathcliff as a hero, but how? Heathcliff is not a traditional hero. Indeed, the term Byronic hero would fit the description of Heathcliff in every respect. Now, what are the characteristics of a Byronic hero? To be classified as a Byronic hero, the character must display: a high level of intelligence, a troubled past, emotional conflicts, an aversion to social restrictions or rules, social outcast status, dark attributes, a taste for revenge , but most importantly, with all the negative attributes, the character has the ability to show strong affection for another. These traits form the plot outline of Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff resides in the Yorkshire countryside, where his estate, Wuthering Heights, is “completely removed from the bustle of society” (Brontë, 1). Heathcliff loves solitude and "guests are so exceedingly rare in this house" (6), and becomes irritated when guests come to visit, wishing "that my intrusion should not be repeated" (7). Heathcliff acquires dark attributes in the novel as if “a ray fell upon his features” (101), stating early on that Heathcliff came from a poor country like Liverpool as a “wicked boy” (53) with “black eyes” (1 ), “black hair”(38) and being “dirty”(38). With Heathcliff coming from a different nationality, his childhood was difficult. Hindley, Heathcliff...... middle of paper......all were nonsense, "I have lost the faculty of enjoying their destruction" (355), and the only thing that can ever bring him happiness, is the one you're with his love, Catherine. Many readers consider Heathcliff's actions absurd, inappropriate, and outrageous. Readers believe that Heathcliff has “…come from the devil” (38) because of his actions. On the other hand, some readers feel sympathy for Heathcliff and understand that a difficult childhood and the loss of his true love for another man justify his actions. Heathcliff possesses all the traits of a Byronic hero: dark characteristics, taste for revenge, emotional conflicts, but with all the flaws, Heathcliff is still capable of being passionate and the ability to show strong affection for Catherine. Heathcliff is not an ordinary traditional hero, but in the eyes of Lord Byron he is the perfect example of a Byronic hero..