DJ canto II

Lord Byron’s Don Juan is a well crafted poem that establishes an original style of epic poetry. He does not try to write with elite form or class, using fancy words or high-culture topics. Rather, Byron’s writing is down to earth and conversational, as if an old friend is telling you the story. His Canto the Second provides good examples of this. He writes in an informal style, with running commentary on his own poetic process, random asides and jokes, and language and content fit for close friends rather than strangers.
Throughout the poem he maintains a sort of running commentary in which he speaks directly to the reader either about his own poetic process or part of what he has just written. In the 6th stanza, he is describing Cadiz and the women, but stops, saying “Alas! To dwell upon such things would very near absorb a canto – then their feet and ankles, - well, thank Heaven I’ve got no metaphor quite ready….” Not only does he tell the reader directly that he could go on to write a whole canto about them, he also says that he hasn’t got a metaphor ready. This glimpse into his writing process brings us there with him, as if we are by his side as he relates this story. Again, in the 17th stanza he brings us in on the writing process, saying “I like so much to quote; you must excuse this extract, - ‘t is where she, the Queen of Denmark, for Ophelia brought flowers to the grave….” He explains the quote he has just used, again making us feel close with the poet, almost part of an ongoing conversation.
Byron also uses jokes and comments to the reader, often in the form of parenthesis that create in informal atmosphere with which he relates the story. He does not go for the high and mighty all-knowing philosophical poet persona that we may see in Wordsworth or others; rather, he creates a friendly, playful dynamic between reader and writer that puts us both on the same level. In stanza 13, he says “The best of remedies is a beef steak against sea-sickness; try it, Sir, before you sneer….” This random comment to the reader is hardly relevant to the plot, but helps build a friendly relationship with the reader, whom he directly addresses and gives advice to. In stanza 16 he talks about the importance of travel for young men, then adds, “the next time their servants tie on behind their carriages their new portmanteau, perhaps it may be lines with this my canto.” This joke is also not relevant, but provides a little humor to the reader and shows that Byron can laugh at himself, implying that his poem would be fit to line the inside of luggage. These and other parenthesized comments throughout the canto build a relationship with the reader.
Finally, the subject matter of Don Juan and the candidness with which he describes it would hardly be appropriate coming from a stranger, creating the impression that is coming from someone the reader knows personally. In the 5th stanza, he talks about the girls in Cadiz, and describes how “their very walk would make your bosom swell,” as if he were a buddy describing the girls at a party. On the ship, he describes the sea-sickness with more detail than most would care to hear. In stanza 20, he writes about Don Juan, “Here he grew inarticulate with retching.” Further, he talks about cannibalism and how the sailors killed and ate another in order to survive the hunger. From stanza 77: “Part was divided, part thrown to sea, and such things as the entrails and the brains regaled two sharks… The sailors ate the rest of poor Pedrillo.” This vivid account of regurgitation and cannibalism seems like locker room talk, only suitable for private conversation between pals. It is vulgar and certainly not considered proper in 19th century Britain.
Byron does a good job of creating a unique style of epic poetry. By using direct commentary on his own writing, conversational language directed straight at the reader, and personal and even disgusting subject matter, he creates a very personal and friendly atmosphere in which he relates his story.