Darkness

A detailed Summary of Darkness

In his poem "Darkness," George Gordon, Lord Byron addresses the mortality of human beings and animals through a vivid description of the destruction of life on earth. Byron uses this poem to examine the character of both humans and animals, and describes the innate similarities of all beings that become apparent in death. Whether one lives in the "palaces of crowned kings" (11) or "huts" (11), "all hearts/Were chill'd into a selfish prayer for light." (8-9) Each person that Byron describes deals with his or her imminent death in different ways; while some "lay down/And hid their eyes and wept," (24-25) others "rest[ed]/Their chins upon their clenched hands, and smiled." (25-26) This bcontrast in reactions demonstrates how death does not affect everyone in the same way. Byron understands this, and therefore gives the reader insight into each of the characters he describes by a simple reaction. The men who "hurried to and fro" (27) might have unfinished business, and therefore are unable to deal with ending their life now. Those who resign to their imminent death and "smiled" (26) are realists who recognize what is going to happen to them and have chosen to peacefully wait, rather than find futile ways to avoid what is inevit

These two beings, supposed to be almighty and powerful, are described in the same way as mortal beings, and in fact, die soon after the end of humanity. It is in God that many people rest their hopes for the future; yet, He is as vulnerable as the birds to which he is likened. This vision of Byron's proposes that this dedication to a higher being is pointless, as he is no more powerful than the average person, subject to the same laws of mortality.

However, Byron distances the animal most likened to humans, the dog. He describes how the dogs "assail'd their masters." (47) It is interesting how he chose the most domesticated animal to portray as the most savage. To contrast the species in general, Byron examines one dog in particular, that "was faithful to a corse, and kept/The birds and beasts and famish'd men at bay."(48-49) While earlier in the poem Byron relates animals and humans through fear of death, with these lines he likens them through savagery, then singles out one unique being. In this description, the dog is more human-like than the other animals, and even the other humans. Although his master is dead, the dog still stays by his side, and "himself sought out no food." (51) Through the vivid description of the hunger of the birds, beasts, and men, it can be implied that this dog must be famished as well, yet he remains loyal to one person.

Byron's brief description of each type of man that he sees is quite simple, yet at the same time is an extremely deep observation. Not only can the individual's personality be shown by his reaction to certain death, but also his satisfaction with his life. A person who feels as if he has lived a complete life will not be

Some common words found in the essay are:
Lord Byron, God Devil, Jesus Byron, animals humans, humans animals, hid eyes wept, , imminent death, master despite threats, master despite, despite threats, wild birds, hid eyes, earlier poem, birds beasts, eyes wept,

Approximate Word count = 1142
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English