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Top 20 Bad Boys – Byronic Heroes in Film That Will Steal Your Heart

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Lady Caroline Lamb said of Lord Byron, the poet, and her lover, he was “mad, bad and dangerous to know.” These words have defined Byronic Heroes, an archetype of storytelling, ever since.

Related: Top 20 Bad Boys: Byronic Heroes in Television

However, it’s my honest belief Byronic Heroes aren’t discussed nearly enough. Sure, teachers gloss over them quickly in English Lit class, but nothing more. In fact, scrolling the internet I discovered there just isn’t much out there to find on Byronic Heroes, especially not when it comes to film or television. And when you do, it’s plain as day most people don’t even know what a Byronic Hero actually is (just because the word hero is used doesn’t necessarily mean he’s “heroic” in the traditional sense of the word).

What then is a Byronic Hero? We read about them in books, watch them on film and television, but we don’t even know what to call them. The archetype is so familiar to us we don’t think twice about it when we see one on screen.

As a society we recognize and at times love the “bad boy,” but then, on the other hand, we criticize a character in a novel or in a film because he doesn’t have ideal characteristics. In fact, we sometimes argue the writer is sending out a bad message. But is it about a message? Or is it about representing the traits of the Byronic archetype?

RELATED Read Part Two: Top 20 Bad Boys: Byronic Heroes in Television

For instance, several critics complain about Edward Cullen of the Twilight Series. He’s labeled as obsessive and even abusive (though I would personally refute the second point). We forget he’s a vampire who doesn’t feel he needs to obey human laws. He’s a Byronic Monster who is SUPPOSED to be dark.

From a feminist perspective, Edward’s personality sends out a dangerous message to young girls. What message then did Emily Bronte send out to the masses when she wrote Wuthering Heights and introduced the villainous (and yes, actually abusive), Heathcliff? Stephanie Meyer reveals her awareness of the Byronic figure by having Edward sympathize with Heathcliff on a personal level when he sees a passage from Wuthering Heights.

Not that I’m comparing the literary greatness of Wuthering Heights to Twilight. Twilight falls into the category of YA paranormal romance (sensation) fiction. The point remains the same, though. I think what upsets critics are the actual traits of the literary archetype of a Byronic Hero. Byronic Heroes are supposed to be like Edward. And honestly, he’s a puppy in comparison to many other ones (see Eric Draven from The Crow or Bill from True Blood who had Sookie beaten).

RELATED Read Part Three: Top 20 Bad Boys: Byronic Heroes in Literature

So as any good Byronic Hero would argue: I’m getting bored with the attacks on this misunderstood literary character.

Again, I ask, what then is a Byronic Hero? Let’s take a quick look at many of the famous characteristics (adapted from http://kplit.wordpress.com/, Atara Stein, Wikipedia and our own ideas) of the Byronic Hero.

Traits of the Byronic Hero

  • Presents obsessive tendencies; focused and constant
  • Typically has one all-consuming passion
  • “Byronic love obsesses on the idea of a man and a woman so similar in character and in spirit, as to be almost one individual” (kplit.wordpress.com).
  • passionate; has deep emotions
  • Arrogant
  • cynical; sarcastic
  • sophisticated and educated; or even street smart
  • Intellectually superior
  • cunning behavior; ability to adapt
  • a troubled past and/or suffering from a hidden crime or past sin
  • self-critical and introspective
  • mysterious and charismatic
  • seductive and can be very sexually attractive
  • moodiness (sometimes presenting bipolar tendencies); tortured
  • isolated (this can be both emotional and physical) from society in some way; an outcast or an outlaw
  • dark attributes
  • disregard for rank and privilege
  • above the rules of society; distaste for social institutions
  • jaded, gets easily bored
  • self-destructive behavior
  • sympathetic despite his rejection of virtue
  • capable of being redeemed
  • capable of heroic behavior
  • individualistic
  • rejection of classicism

While a Byronic Hero can have many of these traits, they won’t necessarily have all of them. It should also be pointed out a character may have a few of these traits and not be Byronic as well. Of course, some characters will constantly be up for discussion and debate.

That all said, for this particular top 20 list, I’ve decided to focus merely on the big screen (as of 2013). As a result, if the character is only seen in a book, they won’t be on the list. If they’re a Byronic Hero from a TV Series or even a TV Movie they won’t be on this list. I felt like Literature, Film, and Television should be three separate categories (too many to choose from)…so look forward to the other two lists in the near future!

Till then, enjoy reading the quotes of the top 20 Byronic Heroes in Film.

Click the next page for the complete list of the top 20 Byronic Heroes!
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By on August 29th, 2013

About Amber Topping

Amber works as a writer and digital publisher full-time and fell in love with stories and imagination at an early age. She has a Humanities and Film Degree from BYU, co-created The Silver Petticoat Review, contributed as a writer to various magazines, and has an MS in Publishing from Pace University, where she received the Publishing Award of Excellence and wrote her thesis on transmedia, Jane Austen, and the romance genre. Her ultimate dreams are publishing books, writing and producing movies, traveling around the world, and forming a creative village of talented storytellers trying to change the world through art.

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33 thoughts on “Top 20 Bad Boys – Byronic Heroes in Film That Will Steal Your Heart”

  1. Im obsessed with Byronic heroes. They are so much more interesting than the usual, leading man type characters. I love that you put Severus Snape way up on the list! His love for Lily was heart-wrenching.

    I would add Linus Larrabee from Sabrina (1995) to this list. He was cold, mean, intensely focused on money, and willing to do anything to get Sabrina out of the picture. Until he falls in love with her.

    • You have no idea how obsessed I am with Byronic Heroes too. I LOVE them. And I agree, they’re usually so much more interesting then other leading men. And I think Snape is a fantastic modern day Byronic Hero so of course I had to include him. 🙂

      Good point about Linus. I never considered him. Harrison Ford is good at playing those types of characters!

      That said, personally I think some of the more interesting Byronic Heroes right now can be found on TV. I’m excited to put together that list.

  3. Excellent job! Interesting a lot. It’s a fantastic way to bring to our times ideas which belong to old ones.

    • I will definitely have to check out both the books and the film when I get the chance! So no, I didn’t consider him because I haven’t read or seen it. But I have heard of it, and it sounds like it’s up my alley. Thanks for the suggestion!

  6. Really, where’s Dorian Gray? I will consider you never seen it, otherwise he’ll be in the top 10

    • Well, ignoring your tone, I do agree that Dorian Gray is for sure a Byronic Hero. But this was only top 20 and I haven’e been in love with a film version of his character yet. Though I have not seen the new movie that came out a few years ago. So I can always change my mind. That all said, I do have 2 other parts to this Byronic Heroes list. And in part 3 with literature, Dorian Gray is included in the list at #11. But rankings are always subjective anyway.

      • Dorian gray just came to my mind, you should look up Bruce, from “Filth”, dr. House could also be in that list. The main character from Half Nelson, forgot his name. Since you are into Byronic Heroes, I really insist that you shall see Filth and the new Dorian Gray. The Punisher and Max Payne could also have their places in your list. And sorry for my tone, only that my fav heroes were missing 😀

        • You should check out my other two lists! Honestly, having to narrow down was hard for me. I’m familiar with a few of these, but of course I’m always looking for new Byronic Heroes, so will check out the other ones when I get a chance. 🙂 Yes, no problem! We all have different favorites and it’s hard to include everyone. It would have been easier if I had chosen to do the Top 100.

  9. I agree with this list, but I think Heathcliff should be number one and Rochester second. Heathcliff’s character in unforgettable.

    • Honestly, I love them both equally as characters. They’re both unforgettable literary Byronic Heroes. I guess I picked Rochester as number one because Jane Eyre is my favorite story. Also, I’m not sure if there has been a fantastic film adaptation of Wuthering Heights yet 🙂 I love the Laurence Olivier version, but it’s not exactly completely faithful to the book.

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