Life path
George Gordon Byron was born on January 22, 1788 in London. A childhood spent in a crumbling castle inherited from an uncle, difficult clashes with a power-hungry mother, a physical defect (a slight congenital lameness that provoked ridicule) – all this contributed to an early awakening feeling of loneliness and one’s own alienness to the world around him. This feeling became one of the dominant features of Byron’s lyrics. The boy studied with a home teacher, then he was sent to a private school in Dulwich. In 1801, Byron entered the closed aristocratic school in Harrow, near London, and in 1805, he entered Trinity College, Cambridge University. He studied rather poorly, but read a lot; At school he was famous for his chivalrous relations with his comrades and for always standing up for the younger ones. Even in Cambridge, Byron was distinguished by his secular habits, so he was constantly in need of money and incurred debts. In 1809, escaping from creditors and in search of new experiences, the poet went with his friend D.K. Hobhouse on a long trip. They visited Portugal, Spain, Albania, Greece and Constantinople. Byron returned to England only two years later and brought with him the manuscript of the poem “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage.” It told the story of a sad wanderer (certainly reminiscent of the author), who is destined to experience disappointment and the collapse of his youthful hopes. The poem was published and instantly glorified the name of the poet not only in England, but throughout Europe.
The success of Childe Harold provided Byron with a warm welcome in Whig circles – now he appears in high society, making business and love connections there. Soon he enters into a short marriage with a girl from high society. An unsuccessful relationship again draws Byron on a trip to Europe. In Europe, he wrote the third and fourth songs of Childe Harold, the poems The Prisoner of Chillon and Beppo, the drama Manfred, new songs of the previously begun poem Don Juan, the evil satire Vision of the Judgment, the drama in verse Cain “, other works. He participates in the Italian liberation movement and the Carbonari conspiracy; after the defeat of the uprising, he goes to Pisa, then to a villa near Livorno, and then to Genoa, where he completes work on Don Giovanni. Byron turned the legendary seducer into a “simpleton” and the hero of a lyrical and satirical picaresque novel. Byron died of fever on April 19, 1824 in Greece. The coffin with his body was sent home and buried near his former estate of Newstead.
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George Byron’s contributions to literature
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George Gordon Byron, also known as Lord Byron, was one of the most important poets of English literature of the 19th century and occupies a prominent place in the history of world literature. His contributions to the literature can be characterized by the following key aspects:
Romanticism
Lord Byron was one of the prominent representatives of Romanticism in English literature. His poetry reflected romantic ideas, such as the elevation of feelings and emotions, personal freedom, and the desire for adventure and travel.
“Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage”
The epic poem “The Gordon Knight” is considered one of Byron’s most important works. This text describes the travels and adventures of the young aristocrat Gordon Goodwood (the main character), and it inspired many romantics to travel to Europe and the Middle East.
Lyrics
Byron also wrote many lyric poems, including “Whispers” (“She Walks in Beauty”) and “Whom did Byron Love?” (“When We Two Parted”). His lyrics expressively convey his emotions and feelings.
Exploring the theme of loneliness and struggle with oneself
In Byron’s works, themes of loneliness, alienation and internal struggle are often heard. His characters, including prototypes of the author himself, face moral dilemmas and psychological conflicts.
Scandal and Controversies
Lord Byron was known for his scandalous lifestyle and social controversies. His affair with his half-sister, his divorce, and his involvement in political and social movements attracted widespread public interest.
Byron had a huge influence on the literature of his time and on many subsequent generations of writers. His poetry and writings remained important and inspiring to many literary movements and authors, including the Romantics, Symbolists, and Modernists.