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The epic hero of the medieval world is a problematiccharacter: he simultaneously embodies the brightdream of a protective and courageous aristocrat, andthe brutal fact of a violent man with a talent forkilling. This dichotomy is often found in thecharacters of medieval tales, who are at once bothresponsible for the protection of their society/stateand its stability, yet by virtue of their capacity... More

The epic hero of the medieval world is a problematiccharacter: he simultaneously embodies the brightdream of a protective and courageous aristocrat, andthe brutal fact of a violent man with a talent forkilling. This dichotomy is often found in thecharacters of medieval tales, who are at once bothresponsible for the protection of their society/stateand its stability, yet by virtue of their capacityfor violence, are bound to exist on the margins ofsociety - they are never fully accepted as trustedmembers of their community. The hero has severalcomplex functions within epic literature: he servesas a mediator between the mundane and supernaturalworlds; he serves to protect his society, but issometimes the bringer of social chaos; he supportsthe monarch, yet often this relationship is filledwith tension. This book shows how medieval Christianand Muslim heroic literature deals with such conceptsas loyalty, honor, fame, uncontrolled rage, theOtherworld - and above all - the heroic code. Further, it examines parallels in eastern and westerntraditions, and discusses the origins of thetraditions themselves.

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