The ideal of the hero and the question of dramatic conflict in the East and the West

Abstract

Unlike in China, heroic epic played a crucial role in the nomadic cultures at the western and northern borders of China. One of the most widely known narrative epic, which survived in various versions, revolves around the figure of Geser khan. Geser khan is characterized by a double nature: on the one hand, he is a divine hero, who eliminates evil powers; on the other hand, he possesses several negative human traits. The present writing explores and offers explanation for Geser khan’s double nature.