How far would you agree that The Patriot and The Pied Piper are heroes?

How far would you agree that The Patriot and The Pied Piper are heroes?

It is questioned whether the poems of The Pied Piper and The Patriot present  characters who although both allegedly are offenders who commit a “serious” crime , could also be interpreted as heroes as their actions seem to be performed for the benefit of others, whether it is in the purpose of a moral lesson or good intentions. 

In the Pied Piper, Browning presents us with a rather secret and underestimated character who remains true to his word whether it is one or warning or of promise unlike the cooperation. For example, his words are similar to a saviour’s, “chiefly use my charm on creatures that do people harm” and he is earnest in what he says although there is an air of ambiguity when he uses the word “chiefly” as it implies that he may harm others as a rest of their wrong doings. He also, by listing that he has aided in their time of need, “Cham” and the “Nizam” adds a reassurance that he is capable and brave.

The Patriot, by definition, is a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors  which is represented in his attitude at the beginning of the poem. For example, “It was roses, roses all the way” he is willing to fight for his country and as he is showered in rose petals, the repetition reinforces his patriotic attitude and how appreciated he was within this moment of time when he is going off to fight for his country. We could also describe him as saint-like from the reaction of the people around him when he asks for the sun, “They had answered, “And afterward, what else?” The religious reference of the “church spires” could also signify that God is accepting him and is on his side which also references to the end when he refuses to believe that he is sinful until God has told him so, “God might question; now instead”.

Contrastingly, it could also be argued that both characters are not heroic. Their actions (especially the Pied piper) can be classed as morally unjust and within today’s society they would not be permitted; they deserve retribution for their wrong doings.

 However, when revealing a greater depth to the meanings of their actions and their responses, the reaction to the Patriots, which were questionably to help the good of the people and provide for them, is negative and they turn him away from their doors. Also, as his name is purely “the patriot” and not a specific name, it suggests that this is an old story and has been repeated over and over again where society has turned their back and forgotten someone who has tried to do their country justice and have pride. It may be argued that it is our reaction, is to make the Patriot a villain and that we often see past any good actions and focus on the errors within the people of society by accusing them of their mistakes. It has to be asked whether it is our reaction to the Patriot which is what makes it feel as though he has committed a horrible crime rather than the reaction of the Patriot to his death as he feels as though he is being released from this world and will be praised by God in another life, “Tis God shall repay: I am safer so.”

Similarly, in the Pied Piper, it is the reaction of the corrupt corporation who immorally and selfishly refuse to pay him, even though they agreed in a bargain that drives the Pied Piper into committing the following actions of taking away the children from the town.  It is suggested that the corporation and the mayor may, through their language which effectively demoralises the Pied Piper, force him into teaching them this moral lesson of retribution.  If the money that had been promised was paid then this effectively never would have happen which highlights the pure corruptness and irony that the Mayor faces when he searched for the Piper and offers him anything to have the children back , “Silver and gold to his heart’s content” but he never returns.  Although, as readers, we initially would class the Pied Piper as a villain all young children but one (who is lame) away forever and their families never see them again, we often fail to notice that Browning may be implying that they needed to learn the moral lesson themselves of always keeping a promise. Evidence for this is also when the whole town forget about the Pied Piper as they busy themselves fixing up the town, “You should have heard the Hamelin people, ringing the bells till they rocked the steeped...poke out the nests and block up the holes...When suddenly, up the face of the Piper perked in the market place”  their arrogance lead them to displaying an apathy to the man who deserved a reward for his “heroic” actions.

In  conclusion, although on a shallow analysis both characters seem to be closer to a villain rather than a hero in our interpretations, upon closer reading they are heroic as they both leave a place of corruption and immorality and reveal and reflect the hypocrisy of the society around them.