on this day i complete my thirty sixth year (232) Flashcards
what was happening in byrons life before he died contextually
died fighting for greeces independence and with an unrequited love
“this heart should be unmoved”
the heart has to move to survive; total loss of humanity or self as a result of rejection
he cant be ‘moved’ emotionally anymore
he also is content where he is and doesnt need to be moved; he is rejected and sad but he has accepted his place
“let me love”
shows transformation from byrons hedonism
“let me” reflects the desperation for love that bryon sees as a basis for humanity; has found his purpose but now left lonely
time references
“tis time” “still” “since” “yet”
reflect that his time is running out he has had an epiphany that he is lonely and aging and that time is transient and passing quickly
“my days are in the yellow leaf”
condemns himself to decay and death
giving up as his time has ran out, he has ran out of time for potential
reference from machiavellian macbeth when he realises there is no redemption for him due to destruction from his own hands
imagery of decay
reflects self-destructive; decay eating off of him through parasitic hedonism
now realising his old lifestyle was kind to no one; including himself
hellish imagery
“fire” “volcanic” “blaze” “funeral pile”
realisation of his damnation and his lack of connection from any goodness or divinity
reflects no escape; he is awaiting an eternity of torment and torture for temporary pleasure
“glory and greece”
finds meaning hes never really had in his life through supporting greeces independance
alliteration reflects his pride
“the spartan”
reflection of greeces once massive influence and the power it held in the ancient period
greeces influence on story tellings influence art to this day; including byrons own poetry
“of beauty be”
saw beauty as destructive because of temptation; desires ruined byrons life and beauty both enabled his ability to fill those desires (his own) and worsened his want for those desire (others)
“choose the ground, and take thy rest”
the most important choices in life lead to how and where you end it
death as an escape from the suffering of life; despite byrons fear of damnation he can choose to die in the land he loves (greece) and can hope for rest
