The Later Romantics

George Gordon Byron (1788-1824), Percy Byshe Shelley (1792-1822), John Keats (1795-1821) were the representatives of the highest level of the Age of Romanticism and all the three were greatly influenced by the Lakists. Unlike the Conservative Lake poets, the Later Romantics were progressive poets. They were young revolutionary rebels, talented and fascinating. Byron called the style of William Wordsworth "dull and simple", while his own poetic manner is often vivid and vigorous. His noble origin, charm, mysterious love affairs, eventful life, independence and pride, a great

lyrical power established him as a Romantic poet and rebellious aristocrat.

Byron's friend Percy Byshe Shelley, also a revolu­tionary idealist, the lover of classical poetry, was very metaphorical.

John Keats was the youngest among the Revolution­ary Romantics. He died at 25 of tuberculosis. The style of his poetry was lofty and very lyrical. Keats was fond of writing odes. His talent made the poet mysterious and charming. Keats deeply felt the interdependence of Man and Nature and in his "Ode to a Nightingale" emphasized the contrast between the ugliness of Life and the beauty of the world of Nature.

George Gordon Byron (1788-1824)

George Gordon Byron was born in London on 22th of January, 1788. His father was English, but mother was of the Scottish origin. She was poor but noble, her name was Cather­ine Gordon. Byron spent his childhood in the small town of Aberdeen in the eastern coast of Scotland. Soon his father died, leaving his wife and child in more than reduced circumstances.

When Byron was ten, his great uncle died, and the boy inherited the title of Lord Byron and the family castle of Newstead Abbey. Lord Byron and his mother moved to Nottinghamshire where they got a small pension from the government.

Lord Byron was educated at Cambridge. When he was twenty-one he became a member of the House of Lords. In 1809 he went on a two-year-long voyage to

Portugal, Spain, Albania! Greece and Turkey. He rJ turned home in 1811.

Aberdeen

In 1812 Byron published the first two parts of his majol work "Childe Harold's PiM grimage" in which he d«scribed his journey to the fofli eign lands. Thus Byron's lite» ary activity began. It can ba divided into four periods:

1. The London period (1812-1816)

"Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" (parts 1, 2) (1812)] "The Corsair" (1814) "Lara" (1814);

2. The Swiss period (May-October, 1816)
"Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" (part 3)
"Manfred" (a philosophic drama);

3. The Italian period (1816-1823)
"Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" (part 4)
"Don Juan" (1818-1823)

"Cain" (1821)

"The Vision of Judgment" (1821);

4. The Greek period (1823-1824)
Several lyrical poems.

All the periods of his literary activity were marked by the corresponding periods of his political life.

During the first period, which was called the London period and which brought him fame and universal ac-108

Blaim after the publication of his "Childe Harold's WPllgrimage" in 1812, Lord Byron delivered his Parlia-Bnentary speeches in the House of Lords. Byron was a [peer of the realm. His first speech was in defence of the Luddites (industrial workers who destroyed the equip­ment as a protest against unemployment and low pay). His main ideas were expressed in his poem "Song for \the Luddites":

As the Liberty lads o'er the sea

Bought their freedom, and cheaply, with blood,

So we, boys, we Will die fighting, or live free, And down with all kings but King Ludd*! When the web that we weave is complete, And the shuttle exchanged for the sword, We will fling the winding-sheet

O'er the despot at our feet, And dye it deep in the gore he has pour'd. Though black as his heart its hue, Since his veins are corrupted to mud, Yet this is the dew Which the tree shall renew Of Liberty, planted by Ludd!

Later Byron spoke in favour of the oppressed Irish people. His speeches brought him a lot of enemies from the reactionary circles. They hated him and began to persecute Byron. Moreover, Byron was unhappy in his private life. In 1815 he parted with his wife. Byron wrote his poem "When We Two Parted":

* Ned Ludd — an 18th century English worker who was the first to destroy stocking frames.

When we two parted

In silence and tears,

Half broken-hearted

To sever for years,

Pale grew thy cheek and cold,

Colder thy kiss;

Truly that hour foretold

Sorrow to this.

The dew of the morning Sunk chill on my brow — It felt like the warning Of what I feel now, Thy vows are all broken, And light is thy fame; I hear thy name spoken, And share in its shame.

They name thee before me, A knell to mine ear; A shudder comes o'er me — Why wert thou so dear? They know not I knew thee, Who knew thee too well: — Long, long shall I rue thee, Too deeply to tell.

In secret we met —

In silence I grieve,

That thy heart could forget,

Thy spirit deceive.

If I should meet thee

After long years,

How should I greet thee? —

With silence and tears.

In May 1816 Byron had to go to Switzerland where le made friends with Percy Byshe Shelley — another pm^ressive romanticist of the time.

The Swiss period of Byron's literary work started. After [I few months in Switzerland where he wrote the Third anto (part) of "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" Byron went to stay in Italy where he lived till 1823. The Fourth Canto of his masterpiece appeared in Italy. The Italian period (1816-1823) was the most creative one. Byron wrote the tragedy "Cain", "Don Juan", several satirical poems; "The Vision of Judgement" was among them.

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