International Byron Society

Helo everyone, Just a quick question for you Byron fans. Do you think that Byron s place within the canon of Romantic literature is assured? If so, why, if not, why not? You can vote in the poll and add your thoughts. I can t wait for the results. Mary

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Mary

As long as we continue to read English literature in a European context, Byron will have to be considered an essential part of the canon, I believe. Byron appeared in my undergraduate introductory English lit class in the form of Childe Harold and Manfred (quite some years ago) and while other authors are perhaps given more attention now (women writers, colonial literature, etc.), I think Bryon still has that center of place, at least in Romanticism. The entire continent of Europe post-Childe Harold looked at what Byron was doing - I don t think there s any other European poet for whom that claim can be made, besides Goethe, who was a generation (or two?) before. But perhaps you need someone who is studying Bryon presently as an undergraduate (like Matthew) to give his/her views. Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth. I studied Romantic Literature as an Undergrad and I did study Byron, but only Childe Harold Canto 3. I think because his literary aesthetic is so varied and diverse and, in many ways, contrary to what we would consider traditional Romanticism, he is studied just because he is to important to ignore. I have a thing about this as you may have gathered!!! By the way, if anyone has any previous experience of Byron conferences, I would love to hear about them. That includes what the talks were like, if you submitted a paper yourself etc. Look forward to hearing from you, Mary

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Mary

Byron in so far as he was a romantic despised himself for being one. English romanticism was such a betrayal and an aberration, you can see what he meant - I mean, really - SHELLEY, and WORDSWORTH and KEATS ... a load of w*nk*rs ... don't you think? Who'd want to be seen in their company? COLERIDGE was a bit better - sometimes ...

And Byron conferences are COOOOOOOOOLLLL ... !!!!!!!!

You should try one. Come to our one day conference at Nottingham Trent on April 15th.

Go one. I dare you. Bet you won't be able to.

- Peter Cochran

I just love a dare. But I have another conference that day here in Cork! I will be speaking on Byron though. And if it does count - I will be at the Byron conference in Dublin sharing my pearls of wisdom on "The green isle of my imagination"

Damn right about the rest of the romantics. I always feel guilty about hating Wordsworth so much. Its lessening as I get older though.

Mary

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Mary

Don't feel bad about hating Wordsworth - even when he's brilliant he's detestable. - p.c,

I live with it quite well. I admire some of his poetry, but I think his egotism is monstrous. Byron wasn't exactly short in that department but at least it was tempered by a sense of humour.

Mary

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Mary

I think it is a bit unfair to call Shelley a w**k*r.

Have you not read the "Fragment: Wedded souls" beginning "I am a spirit..."?

Pavane

Shelley was a wonderful poet. Prometheus Unbound and Julian and Maddalo are excellent, and The Triumph of Life is outstanding. He did have his head in the clouds though.

Mary

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Mary