George Gordon Noel Byron An antiromantic Romantic http

George Gordon Noel Byron An anti-romantic Romantic http: //www. wwnorton. com/college/english/nael/romantic /topic_5/illustrations/imwestall. htm NUTN English Literature (II) 1

An anti-romantic Romantic n Like Jane Austen, Byron’s attitude toward Wordsworthian Romanticism was largely parodic. n Byron’s romantic themes: revolutionary, democratic impulses, the observation of the divine in nature, and metaphysical questions on mortality and the individual’s place in the universe, but he treats them irreverently. NUTN English Literature (II) 2

Dominant Qualities of Byron’s Works n Youthful energy and manhood n Byronic hero: titans wrestling with a cruel world, also torn by an unnamed inner taint n Heroic couplet satire: Pope and Dryden the true poetic geniuses n Urbane sophisticate n 18 th-century poetic forms, contain little description of nature, and rarely refer to common folk or rural life NUTN English Literature (II) 3

Byronic Hero-1 n Byron’s “ruling personage” and legacy, resembling B. himself n Also Satanic hero in the Satanic School. n Conventional villain-hero in Gothic novel, modeled after B’s central characters in Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage , Manfred , etc. n Dark, handsome, with melancholy, brooding eyes n A mysterious, gloomy and rebellious young man, preoccupied with secret past sin, suffering from remorse over a moral or spiritual transgression ( enormous nameless guilt)

Byronic Hero-2 n Proudly defiant towards social codes and religious beliefs (esp. those upheld by privileged ranks) n A social outcast solitarily wandering among awesome landscapes, looking for an ultimate truth and hoping to be purged of demonic self-destructiveness n An individualist with great talent and passion, but likely to be self-destructive in the long run, definitely an idealized but flawed character that impresses its readers deeply.

Byronic Hero: Key Words • • unusually handsome or inextricably attractive moody, mysterious and rebellious passionate remorse laden unrepentant wandering isolated self-reliant wounded or physically disabled in some way?

Byronic Hero in Literature Dr. Faust Iago in Othello Milton's Satan Victor Frankenstein and his Creature Prometheus Childe Harold Manfred Cain Captain Ahab in Moby Dick Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre

Essential about Lord Byron -1 A. Childhood (education): 1. Family education Father- John Byron: a fortune hunter Mother- Catherine Gordon Byron: heiress to lawless Scottish landowners; her indoctrination of Calvinistic morality of Scottish Presbyterianism 2. Formal education (fit for his status) Harrow School and Trinity College at Cambridge Friendships w/ younger boys fostered a romantic attachment to the school. B. Physical Defect 1. Limped all life

Essential about Lord Byron -2 C. Travels Overseas: 1. Two-year European tour (1809 -10): Great literary achievement 2. Permanent departure from England (1816): Literary creativity 3. Help w/ Greek independence from the Turks (1823 -): national hero to Greek → His remains were brought back to England but England refused burial for him in Westminster Abbey. Yet a century later it was done.

Essential about Lord Byron -3 D. Relationships 1. Sexually precocious: sequence of liaisons with ladies of fashion (i. e. Lady Caroline Lamb ) 2. Motivation for marriage: settling into a relatively faithful relationship (1815) Effects on his works of his relationships w/ women? E. Motto “There are but two sentiments to which I am constant--a strong love of liberty, and a detestation of cant. ”

Byron’s Works-1 Travelogue (travel literature ) -- Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage 4 cantos, places of interest to the English (Spain and Portugal) Instant success: “I woke up one morning and found myself famous” Creation of “Byronic hero” Byron insists that the poem is not autobiographical, but “a fictitious character” ; ”Child of imagination” But, “childe” (medieval) = young man waiting to be knighted (Byron is titled) “Childe Buran” (in manuscript) = early

Byron’s Works-2 Tragedy -- Manfred First dramatic work, closet drama Typical example of Byronic hero -- Cain Byronic hero Series closet drama (with Sardanapalus and Marino Faliero) -- Sardanapalus -- Marino. Falier

Byron’s Works-3 Satire -- The Vision of Judgment Satire on life and death of King George III -- Don Juan Last work and masterpiece though incomplete Longest satirical poem in English Incorporating his excursion in Albania, Greece and Asia Minor Intended to be an epic, but a literary satire instead, modeled after 18 th-C neoclassic type Attack on hypocrisies of modern British

“Written after Swimming from Sestos to Abydos” (1810) http: //www. olemiss. edu/courses/engl 309/swimming. html NUTN English Literature (II) 14

n Neoclassic n Contrast: idealistic past/wretched present

If, in the month of dark December, Leander, who was nightly wont (What maid will not the tale remember? ) To cross thy stream, broad Hellespont! If, when the wintry tempest roar'd, He sped to Hero, nothing loth, And thus of old thy current pour'd, Fair Venus! how I pity both! For me, degenerate modern wretch, Though in the genial month of May, My dripping limbs I faintly stretch, And think I've done a feat today. NUTN English Literature (II) 16

But since he cross'd the rapid tide, According to the doubtful story, To woo, -- and -- Lord knows what beside, And swam for Love, as I for Glory; 'Twere hard to say who fared the best: Sad mortals! thus the Gods still plague you! He lost his labour, I my jest; For he was drown'd, and I've the ague. NUTN English Literature (II) 17

“She Walks in Beauty” (1814) n A Romantic lyric n Ababab n Cdcdcd n Efefef n Iambic tetrameter n Alliteration/ metonymy/ metaphor/personification n Romantic nature imagery n About his cousin NUTN English Literature (II) 18

“She Walks in Beauty” n Physical beauty –physical and intellectual beauty n Contrast brightness and shadow NUTN English Literature (II) 19

I (shadowy side) She walks in beauty—like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies, And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes; Thus mellowed to the tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies. 20

n II One shade the more, one ray the less, Had half impaired the nameless grace Which waves in every raven tress Or softly lightens o'er her face— Where thoughts serenely sweet express How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

III And on that cheek and o'er that brow So soft, so calm yet eloquent, The smiles that win, the tints that glow But tell of days in goodness spent A mind at peace with all below, A heart whose love is innocent. NUTN English Literature (II) 22

Question n Was Byron declaring his love for the young woman or simply celebrating her beauty? NUTN English Literature (II) 23

Question n What specific aspect of the woman is praised in each of the three stanzas? NUTN English Literature (II) 24

“When we Two Parted” n dactylic foot : one accented syllable followed by two unaccented syllables n Present and past feelings for a woman NUTN English Literature (II) 25

When we Two Parted When we two parted In silence and tears, Half broken-hearted To sever for years, Pale grew thy cheek and cold, Colder thy kiss; Truly that hour foretold Sorrow to this. 26

n The dew of the morning n Sunk chill on my brow— n It felt like the warning n Of what I feel now. n Thy vows are all broken, n And light is thy fame: n I hear thy name spoken, n And share in its shame.

n They name thee before me, n A knell to mine ear; n A shudder comes o'er me— n Why wert thou so dear? n They know not I knew thee, n Who knew thee too well: n Long, long shall I rue thee, n Too deeply to tell.

n In secret we met— n In silence I grieve, n That thy heart could forget, n Thy spirit deceive. n If I should meet thee n After long years, n How should I greet thee? n With silence and tears.

Question n If the speaker should ever see the woman again, what would be the reason for his greeting her with “silence and tears”? NUTN English Literature (II) 30

“So we’ll no More go a. Roving” NUTN English Literature (II) 31

So we'll go no more a-roving So late into the night, Though the heart be still as loving, And the moon be still as bright. 32

n For the sword outwears its sheath, And the soul wears out the breast, And the heart must pause to breathe, And Love itself have rest.

n Though the night was made for loving, And the day returns too soon, Yet we'll go no more a-roving By the light of the moon.

Question n What is the speaker’s attitude toward life? Why does he feel this way? NUTN English Literature (II) 35

Don Juan n Parody of epic n Satire on most things Romantic, attack the cant of conventional English morality n Irreverence for morals, religion, and authority n The longest satire in English n Theme: modern man in search of his soul in an open society n Ottava rima: abababcc, iambic pentameter NUTN English Literature (II) 36

Byron the narrator n Love has its limits and difficulties n Transparent disguise n Loves gossip n Hypocritical moralism n Fool/real identity/a narrator of insights

fragment n (humorous, comic) n I would to Heaven that I were so much Clay— n As I am blood—bone—marrow, passion— feeling— n Because at least the past were past away— n And for the future—(but I write this reeling n Having got drunk exceedingly to day n So that I seem to stand upon the ceiling) n I say—the future is a serious matter— n And so—for Godsake—Hock and Soda water.

CANTO THE FIRST. I I want a hero: an uncommon want, When every year and month sends forth a new one, Till, after cloying the gazettes with cant, The age discovers he is not the true one; Of such as these I should not care to vaunt, I'll therefore take our ancient friend Don Juan— We all have seen him, in the pantomime, Sent to the devil somewhat ere his time. NUTN English Literature (II) 39

V Brave men were living before Agamemnon And since, exceeding valorous and sage, A good deal like him too, though quite the same none; But then they shone not on the poet's page, And so have been forgotten: —I condemn none, But can't find any in the present age Fit for my poem (that is, for my new one); So, as I said, I'll take my friend Don Juan. NUTN English Literature (II) 40

VI Most epic poets plunge "in medias res " (Horace makes this the heroic turnpike road), And then your hero tells, whene'er you please, What went before—by way of episode, While seated after dinner at his ease, Beside his mistress in some soft abode, Palace, or garden, paradise, or cavern, Which serves the happy couple for a tavern. NUTN English Literature (II) 41

VII That is the usual method, but not mine— My way is to begin with the beginning; The regularity of my design Forbids all wandering as the worst of sinning, And therefore I shall open with a line (Although it cost me half an hour in spinning) Narrating somewhat of Don Juan's father, And also of his mother, if you'd rather. NUTN English Literature (II) 42

VIII In Seville was he born, a pleasant city, Famous for oranges and women—he Who has not seen it will be much to pity, So says the proverb—and I quite agree; Of all the Spanish towns is none more pretty, Cadiz perhaps—but that you soon may see; Don Juan's parents lived beside the river, A noble stream, and call'd the Guadalquivir. NUTN English Literature (II) 43

IX His father's name was Jóse—Don , of course, — A true Hidalgo, free from every stain Of Moor or Hebrew blood, he traced his source Through the most Gothic gentlemen of Spain; A better cavalier ne'er mounted horse, Or, being mounted, e'er got down again, Than Jóse, who begot our hero, who Begot—but that's to come—Well, to renew: NUTN English Literature (II) 44

X His mother was a learnéd lady, famed For every branch of every science known In every Christian language ever named, With virtues equall'd by her wit alone, She made the cleverest people quite ashamed, And even the good with inward envy groan, Finding themselves so very much exceeded In their own way by all the things that she did. NUTN English Literature (II) 45

XI Her memory was a mine: she knew by heart All Calderon and greater part of Lopé, So that if any actor miss'd his part She could have served him for the prompter's copy; For her Feinagle's were an useless art, And he himself obliged to shut up shop—he Could never make a memory so fine as That which adorn'd the brain of Donna Inez. NUTN English Literature (II) 46

XXII (withering description of Lady Byron) 'T is pity learnéd virgins ever wed With persons of no sort of education, Or gentlemen, who, though well born and bred, Grow tired of scientific conversation: I don't choose to say much upon this head, I'm a plain man, and in a single station, But—Oh! ye lords of ladies intellectual, Inform us truly, have they not hen-peck'd you all? NUTN English Literature (II) 47

XXIII Don Jóse and his lady quarrell'd—why , Not any of the many could divine, Though several thousand people chose to try, 'T was surely no concern of theirs nor mine; I loathe that low vice—curiosity; But if there's anything in which I shine, 'T is in arranging all my friends' affairs, Not having of my own domestic cares. NUTN English Literature (II) 48

XXIV And so I interfered, and with the best Intentions, but their treatment was not kind; I think the foolish people were possess'd, For neither of them could I ever find, Although their porter afterwards confess'd— But that's no matter, and the worst's behind, For little Juan o'er me threw, down stairs, A pail of housemaid's water unawares. NUTN English Literature (II) 49

XXV A little curly-headed, good-for-nothing, And mischief-making monkey from his birth; His parents ne'er agreed except in doting Upon the most unquiet imp on earth; Instead of quarrelling, had they been but both in Their senses, they'd have sent young master forth To school, or had him soundly whipp'd at home, To teach him manners for the time to come. NUTN English Literature (II) 50

XXVI Don Jóse and the Donna Inez led For some time an unhappy sort of life, Wishing each other, not divorced, but dead; They lived respectably as man and wife, Their conduct was exceedingly well-bred, And gave no outward signs of inward strife, Until at length the smother'd fire broke out, And put the business past all kind of doubt. NUTN English Literature (II) 51

LII For my part I say nothing—but This I will say—my reasons are my own— That if I had an only son to put To school (as God be praised that I have none), 'T is not with Donna Inez I would shut Him up to learn his catechism alone, No—no—I'd send him out betimes to college, For there it was I pick'd up my own knowledge. NUTN English Literature (II) 52

LIII For there one learns—'t is not for me to boast, Though I acquired—but I pass over that, As well as all the Greek I since have lost: I say that there's the place—but Verbum sat. I think I pick'd up too, as well as most, Knowledge of matters—but no matter what — I never married—but, I think, I know That sons should not be educated so. NUTN English Literature (II) 53

LIV Young Juan now was sixteen years of age, Tall, handsome, slender, but well knit: he seem'd Active, though not so sprightly, as a page; And everybody but his mother deem'd Him almost man; but she flew in a rage And bit her lips (for else she might have scream'd) If any said so, for to be precocious Was in her eyes a thing the most atrocious. NUTN English Literature (II) 54

LV Amongst her numerous acquaintance, all Selected for discretion and devotion, There was the Donna Julia, whom to call Pretty were but to give a feeble notion Of many charms in her as natural As sweetness to the flower, or salt to ocean, Her zone to Venus, or his bow to Cupid (But this last simile is trite and stupid). NUTN English Literature (II) 55

LVI The darkness of her Oriental eye Accorded with her Moorish origin (Her blood was not all Spanish, by the by; In Spain, you know, this is a sort of sin); When proud Granada fell, and, forced to fly, Boabdil wept, of Donna Julia's kin Some went to Africa, some stay'd in Spain, Her great-grandmamma chose to remain. NUTN English Literature (II) 56

LVII She married (I forget the pedigree) With an Hidalgo, who transmitted down His blood less noble than such blood should be; At such alliances his sires would frown, In that point so precise in each degree That they bred in and in , as might be shown, Marrying their cousins—nay, their aunts, and nieces, Which always spoils the breed, if it increases. NUTN English Literature (II) 57

LX Her eye (I'm very fond of handsome eyes) Was large and dark, suppressing half its fire Until she spoke, then through its soft disguise Flash'd an expression more of pride than ire, And love than either; and there would arise A something in them which was not desire, But would have been, perhaps, but for the soul Which struggled through and chasten'd down the whole. NUTN English Literature (II) 58

LXI Her glossy hair was cluster'd o'er a brow Bright with intelligence, and fair, and smooth; Her eyebrow's shape was like th' aerial bow, Her cheek all purple with the beam of youth, Mounting at times to a transparent glow, As if her veins ran lightning; she, in sooth, Possess'd an air and grace by no means common: Her stature tall—I hate a dumpy woman. NUTN English Literature (II) 59

LXII Wedded she was some years, and to a man Of fifty, and such husbands are in plenty; And yet, I think, instead of such a one 'T were better to have two of five-andtwenty, Especially in countries near the sun: And now I think on 't, "mi vien in mente ", Ladies even of the most uneasy virtue Prefer a spouse whose age is short of thirty. NUTN English Literature (II) 60

LXIII (lament real? mocking? ) 'T is a sad thing, I cannot choose but say, And all the fault of that indecent sun, Who cannot leave alone our helpless clay, But will keep baking, broiling, burning on, That howsoever people fast and pray, The flesh is frail, and so the soul undone: What men call gallantry, and gods adultery, Is much more common where the climate's sultry. NUTN English Literature (II) 61

LXV Alfonso was the name of Julia's lord, A man well looking for his years, and who Was neither much beloved nor yet abhorr'd: They lived together, as most people do, Suffering each other's foibles by accord, And not exactly either one or two ; Yet he was jealous, though he did not show it, For jealousy dislikes the world to know it. NUTN English Literature (II) 62

LXVI Julia was—yet I never could see why— With Donna Inez quite a favourite friend; Between their tastes there was small sympathy, For not a line had Julia ever penn'd: Some people whisper but no doubt they lie, For malice still imputes some private end) That Inez had, ere Don Alfonso's marriage, Forgot with him her very prudent carriage; NUTN English Literature (II) 63

LXVII And that still keeping up the old connection, Which time had lately render'd much more chaste, She took his lady also in affection, And certainly this course was much the best: She flatter'd Julia with her sage protection, And complimented Don Alfonso's taste; And if she could not (who can? ) silence scandal, At least she left it a more slender handle NUTN English Literature (II) 64

LXVIII I can't tell whether Julia saw the affair With other people's eyes, or if her own Discoveries made, but none could be aware Of this, at least no symptom e'er was shown; Perhaps she did not know, or did not care, Indifferent from the first or callous grown: I'm really puzzled what to think or say, She kept her counsel in so close a way NUTN English Literature (II) 65

LXIX Juan she saw, and, as a pretty child, Caress'd him often—such a thing might be Quite innocently done, and harmless styled, When she had twenty years, and thirteen he; But I am not so sure I should have smiled When he was sixteen, Julia twenty-three; These few short years make wondrous alterations, Particularly amongst sun-burnt nations. NUTN English Literature (II) 66

LXX Whate'er the cause might be, they had become Changed; for the dame grew distant, the youth shy, Their looks cast down, their greetings almost dumb, And much embarrassment in either eye; There surely will be little doubt with some That Donna Julia knew the reason why, But as for Juan, he had no more notion Than he who never saw the sea of ocean. NUTN English Literature (II) 67

LXXII And if she met him, though she smiled no more, She look'd a sadness sweeter than her smile, As if her heart had deeper thoughts in store She must not own, but cherish'd more the while For that compression in its burning core; Even innocence itself has many a wile, And will not dare to trust itself with truth, And love is taught hypocrisy from youth. NUTN English Literature (II) 68

LXXXVI So much for Julia. Now we'll turn to Juan. Poor little fellow! he had no idea Of his own case, and never hit the true one; In feelings quick as Ovid's Miss Medea, He puzzled over what he found a new one, But not as yet imagined it could be Thing quite in course, and not at all alarming, Which, with a little patience, might grow charming. NUTN English Literature (II) 69

CV (the persona’s skill at spreading scandal by innuendo while at the same time condemning the practice) She sate, but not alone; I know not well How this same interview had taken place, And even if I knew, I should not tell— People should hold their tongues in any case; No matter how or why the thing befell, But there were she and Juan, face to face— When two such faces are so, 't would be wise, But very difficult, NUTN to shut their(II) eyes. English Literature 70

CLXV (mocking tone; rediculing the persona) No sooner was it bolted, than—Oh shame! Oh sin! Oh sorrow! and oh womankind! How can you do such things and keep your fame, Unless this world, and t' other too, be blind? Nothing so dear as an unfilch'd good name! But to proceed—for there is more behind: With much heartfelt reluctance be it said, Young Juan slipp'd half-smother'd, from the bed. NUTN English Literature (II) 71

CLXVI He had been hid—I don't pretend to say How, nor can I indeed describe the where— Young, slender, and pack'd easily, he lay, No doubt, in little compass, round or square; But pity him I neither must nor may His suffocation by that pretty pair; 'T were better, sure, to die so, than be shut With maudlin Clarence in his Malmsey butt. NUTN English Literature (II) 72

CLXXX Alfonso closed his speech, and begg'd her pardon, Which Julia half withheld, and then half granted, And laid conditions he thought very hard on, Denying several little things he wanted: He stood like Adam lingering near his garden, With useless penitence perplex'd and haunted, Beseeching she no further would refuse, When, lo! he stumbled o'er a pair of shoes. NUTN English Literature (II) 73

CLXXXI (discovery) A pair of shoes!—what then? not much, if they Are such as fit with ladies' feet, but these (No one can tell how much I grieve to say) Were masculine; to see them, and to seize, Was but a moment's act. —Ah! well-a-day! My teeth begin to chatter, my veins freeze— Alfonso first examined well their fashion, And then flew out into another passion. NUTN English Literature (II) 74

CXC But Donna Inez, to divert the train Of one of the most circulating scandals That had for centuries been known in Spain, At least since the retirement of the Vandals, First vow'd (and never had she vow'd in vain) To Virgin Mary several pounds of candles; And then, by the advice of some old ladies, She sent her son to be shipp'd off from Cadiz. NUTN English Literature (II) 75

CXCI She had resolved that he should travel through All European climes, by land or sea, To mend his former morals, and get new, Especially in France and Italy (At least this is the thing most people do). Julia was sent into a convent: she Grieved, but, perhaps, her feelings may be better Shown in the following copy of her Letter: — NUTN English Literature (II) 76

CXCIV "Man's love is of man's life a thing apart, 'T is woman's whole existence; man may range The court, camp, church, the vessel, and the mart; Sword, gown, gain, glory, offer in exchange Pride, fame, ambition, to fill up his heart, And few there are whom these cannot estrange; Men have all these resources, we but one, To love again, and be again undone. NUTN English Literature (II) 77

CANTO THE SECOND. CXXVIII He had an only daughter, call'd Haidée, The greatest heiress of the Eastern Isles; Besides, so very beautiful was she, Her dowry was as nothing to her smiles: Still in her teens, and like a lovely tree She grew to womanhood, and between whiles Rejected several suitors, just to learn How to accept a better in his turn. NUTN English Literature (II) 78

Summaries of Cantos 1 & 2 n Canto 1: Juan’s parents, youth, and education, affair with the married Donna Julia; her husband catches them; he is sent away; she writes an Ovidian style letter. n Canto 2: Juan travels to Cadiz; his ship sinks and he and sailors are cast away; they cannibalize his instructor; he swims to shore; saved by Haidee; their love affair. NUTN English Literature (II) 79

Question n Byron opens his “epic” with the statement: “I want a hero. ” What does this opening suggest about heroic poetry in the Romantic period? Why does he opt for Don Juan? What kind of hero is he? NUTN English Literature (II) 80

Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage Summary: http: //www-personal. umich. edu/~lahtid/literature/vicenglish/byron/chldharold. htm n Canto 1: A wayward, wild, immoral youth grows weary of his ways and seeks to gain a surer foothold on life by traveling. A rambling account follows in which Harold goes to Spain and Portugal, with momentary lapses where other areas of Europe are recalled. Familiarity with the area in the reader might make the descriptions more meaningful, but they are romantic nevertheless. NUTN English Literature (II) 81

CANTO THE FIRST NUTN English Literature (II) 82

n 2 n Whilome in Albion’s isle there dwelt a youth, n Who ne in virtue’s ways did take delight; n But spent his days in riot most uncouth, n And vex’d with mirth the drowsy ear of Night. n Ah, me! In sooth he was a shameless wight, n Sore given to revel and ungodly glee; n Few earthly things found favour in his sight n Save concubines and carnal companie, n And flaunting wassailers of high and low degree.

n 3. n Childe Harold was he hight: --but whence his name n And lineage long, it suits me not to say; n Suffice it, that perchance they were of fame,

n 4. Childe Harold bask’d him in the noontide sun, n Disporting there like any other fly; n Nor deem’d before his little day was done n One blast might chill him into misery. n But long ere scarce a third of his pass’d by, n Worse than adversity the Childe befell; n He felt the fulness of satiety: n Then loath’d he in his native land to dwel, n Which seem’d to me more lone than Eremite’s sad cell.

n 5 n For he through Sin’s long labyrinth had run, n Nor made atonement when he did amiss, n Had sigh’d to many though he lov’d but one, n And that lov’d one, alas! Could ne’er be his. n Ah, happy she! To ‘scape from him whose kiss n Had been pollution unto aught so chaste; n Who soon had left her charms for vulgar bliss, n And spoil’d her goodly lands to gild his waste, n Nor calm domestic peace had ever deign’d to taste.

n 6 n And now Childe Harold was sore sick at heart, n And from his fellow bacchanals would flee; n ‘Tis said, at times the sullen ter would strt, n But Pride congeal’d the drop within his ee: n Apart he stalk’d in joyless reverie, n And from his native land resolv’d to go, n And visit scorching climes beyond the sea; n With pleasure drugg’d he almost long’d for woe, n And e’en for change of scene would seek the shades below.

n Canto 2: Harold then journeys to the Baltics, where he is impressed by the fierce culture of the Albanians, and the past glory of Greece. A reminiscence and some extensive notes on the state of Greece and its bondage to foreign powers are included. The descriptions are often picturesque, but the canto as a whole lacks coherence. We see no growth in Harold-- in fact, it is not a story about him at all, but rather a poetic chronicle of travels and thoughts. As such, though, it is passable. NUTN English Literature (II) 88

n Canto 3: This is a far superior piece of work to the last two cantos. Harold develops, affected by and reflecting deeply and interestingly on Waterloo and Napoleon in Belgium, on the Alps, the Rhine and the battles fought there. His cynicism begins to soften, and he begins to yearn for his beloved. NUTN English Literature (II) 89

With the place-descriptions are woven (really woven this time, rather than simply interspersed as before) meditations on people, such as the Aventian princess Julia whose love for her father affected Byron so deeply; and Rousseau, of whom Byron is critical but admiring (see also his long thoughtful note on this subject); and Voltaire and Gibbon, who are acknowledged but claimed to be wrongheaded. NUTN English Literature (II) 90

Also, he thinks about nature as a respite from the "madding crowd" (fortified with a prose argument in a note), entertains what we would now call some "environmentalist" thoughts, and finally comments on his shunning of the world's trends and his sorrow as an estranged father to his girl. This canto is very like the meandering thoughts of a traveler or a wanderer. But here they are fruitful and bubble forth to a greater extent than in the first two. NUTN English Literature (II) 91

n Canto 4: In keeping with the progression of this poem, this canto is the best of the four. In Italy, we see the places and hear reminiscences of the people, but these in this canto seem oddly secondary. Harold's journey is now admitted to be Byron's journey, and the meditations that the sites and scenes inspire are deep and thoughtful as never before. We get much more of an idea that this is Byron speaking to us rather than an imagined character; indeed, Byron in the prefatory letter calls the work his most thoughtful composition (as of 1818). NUTN English Literature (II) 92

He reaches highs of contemplation more than once-- on imagination and the eternal glimpses it brings; on suffering and painful memory; on solitude and its virtues and vices; on education; on man's humility and state of political and spiritual slavery; on freedom; on our poor souls and the illusory nature of love; on thought and truth; on the joys of the wilderness and the power of the ocean; and an excellent conclusion which humbly and thoughtfully closes the mind's eye of the reader in rest. NUTN English Literature (II) 93

Meanwhile, of course, we are shown Venice, several ancient sites, and (for the bulk of the canto) Rome, about whose history Byron muses, talking of the rise and fall of civilizations. We see the Pantheon, Circus, Coliseum, Vatican. . . and all inspire thought and reflection. NUTN English Literature (II) 94

No real conclusions are reached-Harold/Byron does not have a sustained and rejuvenating epiphany-- but still we get the idea that he is better for having superficiality wrung from him on this trip. For one will not quickly descend to the level of a desensitized profligate again, after tasting the worldly greatness man has attained, and being inspired by that to think deeply. NUTN English Literature (II) 95

Question n What are the traits of a “Byronic hero”? NUTN English Literature (II) 96

The End NUTN English Literature (II) 97