Lord+Byron

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=Lord Byron=



Lord Byron was the prototypical romantic hero, the envy and scandal of the age. He has been continually identified with his own characters, particularly the rebellious, irreverent, erotically inclined Don Juan. Byron invested the romantic __lyric__ with a rationalist irony (Source 3). Byron's adventurous life — his love affairs, travels, advocacy of Greek Independence — make an entertaining entry into early nineteenth century life: the freebooting ways of the English aristocracy before Victorian morals took hold, the Napoleonic wars, Venice in the last years of her splendour, rebellion in the decaying Ottoman Empire, the frequent struggles for freedom in Europe, Russia and Latin America. A fascinating period is packed with larger-than-life characters. Even poets caught some of the fervour: Wordsworth's affair with Annette Vallon, Shelley's utopian outpourings, Keat's tragic life, Blake's visions (Source 4). Here is one of his more well known pieces:

//She walks in beauty//
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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 that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies. 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. 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!

Who is Lord Byron referring to in this poem?
 * What is the main theme Lord Byron is trying to get across?**
 * Who is the woman Lord Byron is referring to?**

//**Prisoner of Chillon XIII**//
I saw them - and they were the same, They were not changed like me in frame; I saw their thousand years of snow Oh high - their wide long lake below, And the blue Rhone in fullest flow; I heard the torrents leap and gush O'er channell'd rock and broken bush; I saw the white-wall'd distant town, And whiter sails go skimming down; And then there was a little isle, Which in my very face did smile, The only one in view; A small green isle, it seem'd no more, Scarce broader than my dungeon floor, But in it there were three tall trees, And o'er it blew the mountain breeze, And by it there were waters flowing, And on it there were young flowers growing, Of gentle breath and hue. The fish swam by the castle wall, And they seem'd joyous each and all; The eagle rode the rising blast, Methought he never flew so fast As then to me he seem'd to fly; And then new tears came in my eye, And I felt troubled - and would fainI had not left my recent chain; And when I did descend again, The darkness of my dim abode Fell on me as a heavy load;It was as is a new-dug grave, Closing o'er one we sought to save, -And yet my glance, too much opprest, Had almost need of such a rest.