The legend of Alexander the Great in English Language Literature

Vita.Even before his death Alexander the Great had become the subject of much speculation and exaggeration. The unprecedented magnitude of his accomplishments, his motives, and his relationship to the gods all contributed to the accounts of him which soon appeared. Although no contemporary sources survive, succeeding generations found much of interest in the Alexander legend, and each age modified it to suit its own concept of the hero. In antiquity, Alexander achieves the status of the epic hero. Through his strength and courage, his skill in military strategy, and his generosity, Alexander embodies the characteristics expected in the heroic age. Religious and scriptural sources present a mixed assessment of Alexander as the instrument or the scourge of God. The earliest consciously literary sources introduce the marvelous elements which became an integral part of medieval portraits. Alexander's accomplishments are mainly attributed to his personal efforts, though his death is sometimes blamed on the whim of Fate. The medieval secular Alexander is more homogeneous and exhibits the refined qualities of the feudal knight: justice, humility, and courtesy. Most medieval romances are variations on the ancient romance and elaborate upon themes suggested in that work. Although medieval preachers and exemplary writers often used Alexander as a negative example of pride and ambition, that attitude is scarce in secular literature. With the exception of Lydgate's, the medieval literary portraits are fairly uniform in their praise. In the Renaissance, Alexander represented the admirable but fallible hero whose public and personal lives conflict. Through the influence of humanist thinkers, Renaissance heroes were exposed to show their flaws as well as their admirable qualities. Of particular importance was the heroic drama, through which Alexander's conflicts, particularly in matters of love, became apparent. Nineteenth and twentieth century literature presents a composite picture gleaned from previous ages. The modern emphasis on the psychological motivations of the protagonist makes the lyric and the historical novel the most popular genres for the analysis of the hero. The issues of Alexander's divinity, his leadership, and his ultimate goal again surface, leaving open many questions for future literary efforts to address