Undergraduate - UnitATS2914 - The dark hero and femme fatale

The unit is designed to introduce students to the development of the dark or satanic hero and the femme fatal in a range of major English texts selected to illustrate the tremendous impact and popularity of these powerful figures. Writers since the Renaissance have created powerful and seductive heroes, anti-heroes and appealing villains who advocate and personify radical individualism, self-sufficiency and ambition, but who are often isolated, gloomy and dissatisfied by their revolt against God, tmorality and society. Special attention will be given to the gendered representation of the dark hero, particularly the persistent tendency to represent or view female characters who challenge moral codes in relation to prevailing social roles of virgin/whore, good/bad mother etc. The unit encourages students to examine the relationship between the satanic heroes, vamps and villains who appear in the unit texts and the many dark heroes of contemporary culture.