don juan

            Almost everyone is familiar with the epic story of Don Juan.  However, in Lord Byron’s poem “Don Juan”, we see a different side to the infamous character that was once seen as a womanizer.  Through the usage of satire and comedy, Lord Byron mocks epic poems, and gives his own flavor and perception on events.  In my opinion, Byron’s humorous view of gallantry and epic poems is made strong through various techniques he uses in order to display how ridiculous they truly are. 

            The first thing that stood out to me about this poem was the fact that Byron calls out on other epic poems as being insignificant and even boring or repetitive.  Byron lists name after name of authors and poets who are so similar to each other, that they are at times indistinguishable.  This listing of names gives off a sense of boredom, in my opinion causing the reader to understand Byron’s sarcastic tone throughout the poem.  He argues that although these poems were seen as remarkable and important at times, that they are not “adapted to my rhymes.”  I think this shows that Byron sees himself as a more modern poet, who sees things in a light that other poets in history have not been able to. 

            Byron seems to think himself more innovative and original than other poets.  He claims that his methods are different, and that he doesn’t follow the plan set up by others.  One technique that Byron uses that differs from other poets, such as Wordsworth, is that it is much more personable.  For example, he uses such phrases as “Begot—but that to come--  “ and “if you’d rather”, talking to the reader.  This makes the poem come off as much more modern, and accessible to a larger amount of readers.

            Also, Byron’s rhymes are very humorous at times, such as when he says “her guardian angel had given up his garrison; even her minutest motions went as well as those of the best time-piece made by Harrison.”   Byron pokes fun at other authors such as this in a way that seems modern for his time period.

            Through using such techniques, I would argue that Byron does stray away from the path set before him.  His humor stands out as compared to others that we have read thus far, and his sarcastic tone makes the poem much easier to read and comprehend than that of authors such as Wordsworth.