Lord Byron's Ode to Napoleon Buonaparte is interesting, largely, for its embedded paradox. The eulogizing poem places Napoleon in a historical and literary context, alluding to Satan, Sulla and Nebuchadnezzar... some of the greatest villains of all time. However, he is also compared to the titan Prometheus, who created man from clay, promoted his revolution against the yoke of the gods, and brought fire down from Olympus. Byron seems unable to fully commit to the negative light in which he attempts to cast Napoleon; the tyrant, despot, and Evil Spirit is offset by an abounding reverence.
This particularly interesting in that Napoleon seems to share many characteristics with Byron himself. Both are arrogant, selfish, independent "conquerors of the earth". In Ode to Napoleon, it seems that Byron recognizes Napoleon as a Byronic hero, but laments his ultimate failing, and fall from grace.
I agree that Byron seems to be incapable of fully condemning Napoleon. His own lifesytle is too similar to Napoleon's. I think Byron could have called the poem "Ode to Myself" and just left it at that.
ReplyDeleteI agree that “Byron recognizes Napoleon as a Byronic hero, but laments his ultimate failing, and fall from grace.” Furthermore, I think that it is interesting that Byron wrote an entire ode to Napoleon despite his conflicting views. It is obvious that Byron wanted to share his thoughts about Napoleon with more people than just himself. Based on our discussion from Thursday’s class, it is clear that readers have different interpretations of the intent of Byron in writing this piece; however, I think that it also speaks to the topic of interest because most of the class was devoted to speaking about Napoleon. Perhaps this is why Byron chose to devote so many verses in an ode to Napoleon.
ReplyDelete