The Vision of Heroism and Moral Regeneration in George Bernard Shaw’s Drama
The aim of this study is to examine George Bernard Shaw’s redefinition of heroism as a transformative moral and social force that reshapes the relationship between the individual and society. Using a qualitative approach, the study analyzes Arms and the Man (1894), Pygmalion (1913), and Saint Joan (1923) to demonstrate how Shaw constructs heroism as an intellectual practice rather than a romantic ideal. While existing literature on Shaw often treats these plays in isolation, this research addresses a critical gap by presenting heroism as a continuous ethical principle rooted in Shaw’s Fabian socialist belief in rational reform. The analysis reveals that Shaw’s protagonists serve as catalysts for moral awakening within resistant environments. In Arms and the Man, heroism is defined through moral realism; in Pygmalion, it emerges via linguistic empowerment; and in Saint Joan, it culminates in the struggle of individual conscience. By examining these works collectively, the study illustrates a coherent evolution in Shaw’s vision, ultimately redefining heroism as a moral responsibility toward social enlightenment.
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