On Heroes, Hero Worship and The Heroic in History [with Biographical Introduction]

Synopsis

This is an extraordinary work, let modern liberal critics say what they will of their 'mass movements' and 'diversity'. Long after they and their productions have bitten the dust, Carlyle will continue to speak to the enlightened few, and perhaps one day, it is to be hoped, to the enlightened many. This work is much more than just a study of various influential men in history. Carlyle has very interesting notions of the historical process itself, the spread of religions and their demise, the importance of "true belief" in things, as opposed the unbelief that merely follows rituals and procedures. For Carlyle, true belief, is the beginning of morality, all success, all good things in this world; Unbelief, scepticism, the beginning of all corruption, quackery, falsehood. [Amazon] The six chapters are:
The Hero as Divinity. Odin. Paganism: Scandinavian Mythology
The Hero as Prophet. Muhammad: Islam
The Hero as Poet. Dante; Shakespeare
The Hero as Priest. Luther; Reformation: Knox; Puritanism
The Hero as Man of Letters. Johnson, Rousseau, Burns
The Hero as King. Cromwell. Napoleon: Modern Revolutionism;

RefTags

Released

1840

Location

Europe & Mideast

Setting