Genji must be recognized as the principal male character in Murasaki Shikibu’s “The Tale of Genji”. In this way, by literary definition, he is the novel’s irreplaceable hero. The more recognized definition of a hero, one seen for his special or bold achievements, could apply to Genji although he didn’t necessarily work hard to achieve anything. He was born beautiful, talented, charming, and simply irresistible and therefore can be called a hero at birth. This is quite an achievement, and the only characters eligible for comparison after Genji’s death are the two princesses, Oigimi and Naka no Kimi.

Although Genji’s father removes him from the imperial family, it is only a technicality and Genji spends the majority of his life experiencing luxuries as an Emperor’s son. He is immediately favored by anyone who enters his path and it seems that his entire existence was previously planned out to be naturally perfect; an impeccable being born into a situation in which he can properly be displayed. The fact that Genji doesn’t need to work for any of his accomplishments (this includes his many women) raises the question of whether or not he is in fact a natural born hero, or sim

The above quote perfectly illustrates the treatment Genji receives as a young boy on account of both his immense beauty as well as his father’s status. Of course any reader would approach this passage with a sense of admiration and fantasy, but as Genji grows up and his uncanny degree of magnetism intensifies, so does the reader’s jealousy. By the time Genji’s death arrives, it’s not only a relief for the reader to finally be rid of his overly glorified character, but also to experience his unexpectedly uneventful death in solitude.

We are brought into the lives of Niou and Kaoru. Kaoru is not actually Genji’s son, although he is assumed to be by most, and Niou is Genji’s grandson. The two of them are best friends, as the main characters seem to come in pairs now, and after much confusion they are both eventually introduced to the two princesses, the elder Oigimi and the younger sister Naka no Kimi.

Not exactly the thoughts of a hero, but rather one affected by an effortless seduction achieved by Naka no Kimi, in this way our new hero.

Genji’s death signifies the end of the literary hero in the novel. None of the proceeding characters are individually focused on for nearly enough time to compete for the title, hence the entire tale being named for Genji. Genji’s life, as lengthy as it seems for the reader, is the only one in the novel that is extremely accessible. No other chapters provide such distinc

Some topics in this essay:
Naka Kimi, Imperial Granary, Kimi Genji’s, Tale Genji”, Genji Genji’s, Lord… Majesty, Heir Apparent, Niou Genji’s, Kaoru Oigimi’s, Kaoru Kaoru, naka kimi, genji’s death,