The Byronic Hero
John Wilson wrote, "It is in the contrast between his august conceptions of man, and his contemptuous opinions of men, that much of the almost incomprehensible charm, and power, and enchantment, of his poetry consists." The abstruse "he" that Wilson refers to is Lord Byron. This famed poet developed an unmistakable style that both praises and admonishes man. Byron was not a misanthrope, but he never forgot man's faults. Through his poetry, Byron developed his views and expanded them. In fact, Byron developed a hero; a hero that would not back down to a challenge, rather, a hero that would stand up courageously and fight for what was good and true. In "The Destruction of Sennacherib," Byron represents a hero who faces defeat. This poem serves as an example of Byron's unique style, philosophy, and ideals. The title of the poem, "The Destruction of Sennacherib," serves as a synopsis for the subject; the poem entails the death of Sennacherib.
Sennacherib was an interesting choice of subject for Lord Byron..According to Columbia Encyclopedia, Sennacherib "constructed canals and aqueducts and built a magnificent palace at Nineveh." From this aspect, Sennacherib was not the Byronic hero. Byron would have preferred a more hidden ideal as he favored the brooding loner for his hero. As a king with such legendary identifications, Sennacherib drifts from the mold. However, it is clear that Byron holds great respect for Sennacherib. Rather than shame Sennacherib with a cowardly death (he was actually murdered by two of his sons) Byron chooses to glorify his last stand in battle, thereby leaving the memory of Sennacherib one of man, conqueror, hero. The poem is made up of six stanzas and twenty-four lines. The third line stands out for its alliteration, "and the sheen of the spears was like stars on the sea." From the beginning of the poem and throughout there are allusions to the ocean and beaches. Byron
Some common words found in the essay are:
Byron Sennacherib's, Destruction Sennacherib, Romantic Movement, Sennacherib Byronic, Lord Byron, John Wilson, Sennacherib Byron, Angel Death, Encyclopedia Sennacherib, blown autumn, byron developed, leaves green, death sennacherib, byronic hero, green summer, leaves green summer, destruction sennacherib,
Approximate Word count = 651
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
