Byron on Death
Abstract
Despite Byron's protestation that, 'There is to me something so incomprehensible in death, that I can neither speak nor think on the subject' (to Hobhouse, August 10, 1811), Death is a pervasive theme in Byron's major works, as his beliefs regarding its meaning undergo distinct changes. Although prior to 1815, he did not believe in the immortality of the soul, from 1815 onward, certainly after meeting Shelley in 1816, his work reflects a growing interest in the idea of continuity of identity in some form. In Manfred, the central question is, What after Death? In Cain, the question is, Why must we die? By 1821, Byron's Detached Thoughts clearly indicates confidence in the soul's immortality, although a 'sweet uncertainty' about its ultimate meaning remains. This complexity--belief and uncertainty--is evident in his later work, especially Sardanapalus and Don Juan, and most closely approximates Byron's final attitude toward immortality.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA239355
Entities
People
- Christopher D. Campbell
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology