In the narrative poem, " The Highwayman" by Alfred Noyse, the highwayman may look dashing with his French hat, his leather pants and thigh-high boots, but is he the ideal man for Bess? The highwayman is locally perceived as a hero. Although he is a robber, he persuades his victims with such gallantry, that they don't hold his crimes against him. Those same tactics help him enamore Bess, who is so blindly in love with him that she betrays her father by keeping the realtionship a secret .In the 1700s,no respectful suitor visits his loved one at night and taps the windows to announce his visit. A true gentleman announces his visit by letter weeks before and awaits for an answer. He attends only if he receives an invitation or acknowledgement of his letter. Second, the highwayman has a plan to go west in search of a prize and come back to the inn to retrieve Bess. His determination and bravado show his imposing personality. Third, when he returns to the inn as he promises, unexpectedly, he flees to the west when he hears the gunshot. Moments before, Bess, plays in her memory his refrain," Look for me by moonlight, watch for me by moonlight, I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way." He does arrive ,but doesn't rescue her from her plight. How far is he willing to go to prove his love for Bess? Obviously not very far. He goes far, far to the west where he came from, as far away from Bess as possible, to save himself.
Tim , who is a mad, jealous stableman betrays Bess by advising King George's soldiers of the highwayman's whereabouts. Are Tim's actions justifiable? Tim's love for Bess is unknown and unrequitted. She loves the highwayman, not Tim, who although not rich, does have positive qualities. He has a steady job. He is a responsible citizen who reports a robber wanted by the King. Tim complies with his duties as a dignified, law-abiding citizen. When he makes the decision to inform the redcoats of the highwayman's plans, he certainly must not phathom the implications that his actions might have on Bess's fate.
Is the highwayman or Tim deserving of Bess' love and affection?
