Character Analysis: Bess

"Sacrificing your life for the happiness of the one you love is by far, the truest type of love." is the quote that best describes the hunting emotions the narrative poem The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes leaves carved into the reader's mind. These emotions are transmitted through the actions of the poem's main character and the highwayman's love, Bess. But what makes her one of the most unforgettably romantic characters in English literature?

Although not the title character Bess is considered the main character of the narrative poem The Highwayman, for the reason that it is her actions that control the plot's outcome. Bess's progression can be clearly followed throughout the poem's plot; we as the readers feel her take responsibility and control for her actions when she decides to take her own life to protect her love, the highwayman; thus making her a dynamic character who evolves to become a self-sacrificing, self confident, but above all strong and heroic woman.

The poet, Alfred Noyes puts a strong emphasis on Bess as a lover by describing her mainly through her actions "Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.", which is interpreted as one of the most gentle testimonies of love. The readers see Bess only from the perspective the writer gives them, in this case as a lover; hence making her a flat character.

The Highwayman is not considered a typical poem, thanks to it being narrative and having well developed characters as well as a conflict. The conflict of the poem is not as the readers would