Written After Swimming from Sestos to Abydos Analysis

Author: Poetry of George Gordon, Lord Byron Type: Poetry Views: 1541

If, in the month of dark December,

Leander, who was nightly wont

(What maid will not the tale remember?)

To cross thy stream, broad Hellespont!

If, when the wintry tempest roar'd,

He sped to Hero, nothing loth,

And thus of old thy current pour'd,

Fair Venus! how I pity both!

For me, degenerate modern wretch,

Though in the genial month of May,

My dripping limbs I faintly stretch,

And think I've done a feat today.

But since he cross'd the rapid tide,

According to the doubtful story,

To woo, -- and -- Lord knows what beside,

And swam for Love, as I for Glory;

'Twere hard to say who fared the best:

Sad mortals! thus the gods still plague you!

He lost his labour, I my jest;

For he was drown'd, and I've the ague.

Sponsor

Free Online Education from Top Universities

Yes! It's true. Online College Education is now free!

Streaming Anime Online

Watch full streaming anime episodes free.

||| Analysis | Critique | Overview Below |||

.: :.

In this poem, Byron compares the intentions of fabled Leander with his own in crossing the river Hellespont. It may have been the story that inspired him to the endeavor but his intention was ultimately more self motivated. As Leander crossed the river for the sake of consummating his love with Hero, Byron crossed the river for the sole purpose of pursuing his own glory, to say that he was able to do what the fabled Leander had done. And in his endeavour, for glory and not for love, he came out the better; Leander ultimately lost his life and Byron merely caught a chill. He implies that Leander's feet for love was unimpressive as Byron himself accomplished it without the motivation of Love and with seemingly much ease. Perhaps Byron is also berrating Leander's hopeless addiction to Hero's love because he himself could physically love any woman that he desired; to sacrifice so much for a single woman, to sacrifice one's own life, would seem pointless and even stupid to Byron.

| Posted on 2005-04-20 | by Approved Guest

Post your Analysis

122 Free Video Tutorials

I make free video tutorials on youtube such as Basic HTML and CSS,
and Learn PHP..

Free Online Education from Top Universities

Yes! It's true. College Education is now free!

Most common keywords

Written After Swimming from Sestos to Abydos Analysis George Gordon, Lord Byron critical analysis of poem, review school overview. Analysis of the poem. literary terms. Definition terms. Why did he use? short summary describing. Written After Swimming from Sestos to Abydos Analysis George Gordon, Lord Byron Characters archetypes. Sparknotes bookrags the meaning summary overview critique of explanation pinkmonkey. Quick fast explanatory summary. pinkmonkey free cliffnotes cliffnotes ebook pdf doc file essay summary literary terms analysis professional definition summary synopsis sinopsis interpretation critique Written After Swimming from Sestos to Abydos Analysis George Gordon, Lord Byron itunes audio book mp4 mp3 mit ocw Online Education homework forum help

Poetry 112
Poetry 108
Poetry 128
Poetry 75
Poetry 100
Poetry 195
Poetry 69
Poetry 29
Poetry 96
Poetry 70
Poetry 208
Poetry 141
Poetry 121
Poetry 4
Poetry 69
Poetry 185
Poetry 86
Poetry 155
Poetry 170
Poetry 41