“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” by C.S Lewis is a famous fantasy novel known for its themes of courage, sacrifice, friendship and Christian allegory. The hero, Aslan emerges as the typical hero whose divine wisdom, sacrificial love, and unwavering courage not only guide and empower the other characters but also symbolise the timeless battle between good and evil, making him the central figure embodying the ultimate heroism within the enchanted realm of Narnia. In this essay, it will be argued that Edmund is not the hero, but rather the anti-hero. Edmund is not the hero of the novel because he betrayed his family, was captured by the witch, is selfish and Aslan has to sacrifice himself for him. Edmund is the anti-hero in “The Lion, the …show more content…
Aslan elucidates his decision to the Pevensie children, articulating, “It was the only way to save him, and to spare Narnia from the Witch’s rule” (page 150). This exemplifies Aslan’s readiness to offer himself out of affection and obligation to both Edmund and the overarching welfare of Narnia. The indispensability of this sacrifice is further underscored when the requirements of the Deep Magic are unveiled, and Aslan consents to take Edmund’s place. “You kill”, said the Witch, Aslan responds, “It is very true. I do not deny it. But I will give myself up in the place of a boy” (page 155). This accentuates Aslan’s acknowledgment of the necessity for a sacrifice to rescue Edmund. Following Aslan’s resurrection, he expounds upon the deeper magic that facilitated his return: “Though the Witch knew the Deep Magic, there is a deeper magic still which she did not know. She would have known that when a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor’s stead, the table would crack and death itself would start working backward”(page 182). This citation encapsulates the impact of Aslan’s sacrifice and the ultimate victory of love and innocence over malevolence, illustrating the profound influence of his selfless