Lecture The 19th century literature. Romanticism

4. Lord Byron and other writers of his epoch

The second generation of Romantic poets includes Lord Byron (1788–1824), Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) and John Keats (1795–1821).

Byron ['baiərən] was, perhaps the least 'romantic' of the three. In all his poetry there is a current of gloom and pessimism. The reason for this gloom and sorrow may be found in social and political events of his day. The industrial revolution in England and the invention of new machines which supplanted workers brought misery to thousands of laborers. Wars, economic and political oppression of common people, all these facts gave rise to his discontent with social and political life. So he raised his voice to condemn them.After graduating from Cambridge University, Byron started on a tour through Portugal, Spain, Greece, Turkey and Albania. He returned home in 1811. A trip to Europe resulted in the first two cantos of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage ['tʃaild 'hӕrəldz 'pilgrimidʒ] (1812), a mock-heroic epic of a young man's adventures in Europe, but also a sharp satire against London society. The poem contains elements thought to be autobiographical, as Byron generated some of the storyline from experience gained during his European journey.

The main character, Childe Harold by name, came from an old aristocratic family. His ancestors were men of great courage and heroism. Harold’s life was very different from theirs, it is full of pleasure and entertainment. But then he only feels weariness and discontent. He lost faith in friendship and was disappointed in the world of lies in which he found himself. Hoping to find Good in other countries he left England.

Canto the First describes Portugal and Spain. Byron shows his surprise at the contrast between the splendor of the land, where “fruits of fragrance blush on every tree”, and the poverty of the people. In the Spanish scenes the poet shows the people’s struggle against Napoleon’s invasion which the poet witnessed during the stay in Spain in 1809-1810.

Canto the Second is devoted to Albania and Greece. Byron admires the Albanians for their kindness, generosity and hospitality. But when Harold comes to Greece he is disappointed. The miserable state of the Greek people under the yoke of the Turks arouses Byron’s indignation and makes him recall the glorious past of Greece.

Canto the Third describes the beautiful scenery of Switzerland. Pictures of nature – now calm and serene, now stormy as the feelings of the poet himself, alternate with philosophical reflections.

Canto the Fourth, dealing with Italy, depicts people and events of ancient history. Byron calls Italy the “Mother of Art”. Byron puts forth the idea that true glory is achieved through creative activity, and not by birth and power.

Childe Harold is a sensitive, disillusioned and generous wanderer. But he is merely a passive onlooker unlike Byron himself who tried to be an active fighter for freedom. By right of birth Byron was a member of the House of Lords. In February 1812Byron made his first speech in the House of Lords. He spoke passionately in defence of the Luddites. He blamed the government for the unbearable conditions of workers’ life. In his parliament speech Byron showed himself a staunch champion of the people’s cause, and that made the reactionary circles hate him.

Byron achieved enormous fame and influence throughout Europe with works exploiting the violence and drama of their exotic and historical settings. However, despite the success of Childe Harold and other works, Byron was forced to leave England for good in 1816 and seek asylum on the Continent. Here he joined Percy Bysshe and Mary Shelley on the shores of Lake Geneva.