What is a traditional hero? In many literary works, the author depicts a character facing many difficult obstacles, in which the character often prevails and becomes a hero. The challenges the character undergoes allow the reader to appreciate the character because of his bravery, courage, and willingness to sacrifice. In Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, many readers are able to view Heathcliff as a hero, but how? Heathcliff is not a traditional hero. In fact, the term Byronic hero would fit Heathcliff's description in every way. Now, what are the characteristics of a Byronic hero? To be classified as a Byronic hero, the character must demonstrate: a high level of intelligence, a troubled past, emotional conflicts, an aversion to constraints or social rules, an outcast status , dark attributes, a taste for revenge, but above all, with all the negative attributes, the character has the ability to show strong affection for another. These traits are the broad outlines of the plot of Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff resides in Yorkshire country, where his estate, Wuthering Heights, is “completely removed from the hustle and bustle of society” (Brontë, 1). Heathcliff enjoys solitude and "guests are exceedingly rare in this house" (6), and becomes irritated when guests visit him, wishing "no repetition of my intrusion" (7). Heathcliff acquires the novel's dark attributes as if "a ray fell upon his features" (101), declaring at the beginning that Heathcliff came from poor Liverpool as a "bad boy" (53) with "black eyes." » (1), “black hair” (38) and being “dirty” (38). Heathcliff being of a different nationality, his childhood was difficult. Hindley, Heathcliff... middle of paper... everyone made no sense, "I have lost the faculty of enjoying their destruction" (355), and the only thing that will ever bring him happiness is to be with his love, Catherine. Many readers view Heathcliff's actions as absurd, inappropriate, and scandalous. 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 to another man justifies his actions. Heathcliff possesses all the traits of a Byronic hero: dark features, a taste for revenge, emotional conflicts, but despite all his faults, Heathcliff is still capable of being passionate and showing strong affection for Catherine. Heathcliff is no ordinary traditional hero, but in Lord Byron's eyes he is the perfect example of a Byronic hero..