Lord Byron
This was a pretty unique man that had to have tough skin. His life was praised as well as despised. He has gone through separations, incest, several love affairs, major debts and to just put it simple lived a wild life. Plenty of his major works got showed in the spotlight but I was more interested in one of his minor poems that created quite a stir as well. In the poem "She Walks in Beauty," readers of this poem wondered who exactly he was talking about in the poem.
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 mellow'd to that tender light 5
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face; 10
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow, 15
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
(from "She walks in beauty")
Some people speculate that he is talking about no one that he is simply writing a poem for poems sake. Others say that this clearly is a a poem to one of his incest lover's. If this is a poem to one of his cousins I will have to say that first that is gross and second that is quite bold of him to do that considering the consequences.
All his life was not so bad though, in fact his life was quite admirable. In the time of need Mr. Gordon let him self become an agent of the London committee and even more than that he used the profit he gained over the years to help the cause. This upon his death at the age of 36, I believe is what saved his name. And I could imagine that he ended his life just as his poem says.
Seek out-less often sought than found-
A soldier's grave, for thee the best;
Then look around, and choose thy ground,
And take thy rest.
(from "On this day I complete my 36th year)
3 comments:
Antoine,
OK discussion of Byron, but not as well thought out or supported as in your better posts. Looks like you were fighting to get in before the deadline (and not quite making it).
Antoine
I am a little upset that there was not more to this blog. I feel like Bryon's work "She Walks with Beauty" had more to offer. You use a very lengthy quote but dont seem to discuss any meaning found in the lines. I wish you would have written more about what the quote meant to you.
I really liked this poem so it was a good poem to choose. :) I wish you would have analyzed it a little bit more and told me what it meant to you. The poem is very beautiful and describes the women's beauty from the inside and out. The poem is quite beautiful! It is interesting to try to figure out who the poem is actually talking about. The mystery makes it kind of fun!
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