The Hero by Pablo Neruda (1960)
The poem explores the theme of heroism and its disillusionment. It describes a heroic figure who has been defeated and is now lying in the dust, his grandeur and beauty lost. The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of human achievement and the inevitability of decline and fall. The poem also touches on the idea that true heroism lies not in grand actions but in the everyday struggles and sacrifices of ordinary people.
By Pablo Neruda · First published 1960 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Gothic Fiction · 346 words
First lines
The mistress of the castle summoned me to weep in every one of its rooms.
I didn't know her but I loved her with a harsh affection as if all my misfortune came from the fact that once she undid her hair over me, shrouding me in shadow.
What this Textopian page supports
The Hero is listed on Textopian as a poem by Pablo Neruda, dated 1960 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Pablo Neruda
- Date: 1960 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Gothic Fiction, Existentialism, Symbolism
- Length: 346 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Hero by Pablo Neruda
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work employs lyrical language, imagery, and emotional depth characteristic of poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, longing, and nature reflect the ideals of Romantic literature.
- Gothic Fiction — The setting in a castle, themes of darkness, and emotional turmoil align with Gothic elements.
- Existentialism — Exploration of time, memory, and the human condition suggests existential themes.
Tags
Poetry · Chilean Literature · Latin American Literature · 20th Century · Modernism · Free Verse · Lyrical · Symbolism · Imagery · Nature · Politics · Social Commentary
More by Pablo Neruda
- Body of a Woman (1959)
- The Light Wraps You (1954)
- Ah Vastness of Pines (1975)
- The Morning Is Full (1954)
- So That You Will Hear Me (1976)
- I Remember You As You Were (1952)
- Leaning Into The Afternoons Leaning into the afternoons I cast my sad nets towards your oceanic eyes (1954)
- White Bee (1974)
- All works by Pablo Neruda