“Manfred” ( English “Manfred” ) is a philosophical and dramatic poem - the tragedy of Lord Byron , first published in full in June 1817. The debut of Byron, the playwright, is one of the poet’s most profound and significant works in the dialogical genre, and not without reason is considered the apotheosis of Byron pessimism .
| Manfred | |
|---|---|
| English "Manfred" | |
 Ford Madox Brown 's Manfred at the Top of the Jungfrau | |
| Genre | philosophical and dramatic poem - a tragedy |
| Author | Lord Byron |
| Original language | English |
| Date of writing | 1816-1817 |
| Date of first publication | 1817 |
History
It was created between 1816 and 1817 under the inspiration of Byron's stay in Switzerland in 1816, during which the poet made numerous trips to the high Alps .
Byron's poem was created in the tradition of the Gothic novel almost simultaneously with the Frankenstein novel by Mary Shelley and is one of the most important works of horror literature in English romanticism .
The author designated Manfred as a " metaphysical drama ." The work describes the inner experiences and spiritual torment of the protagonist, caused by a heavy sense of guilt due to a mysterious act committed in the past. Manfred seeks salvation and redemption from various "spirits," but, in the end, dies.
The work contains autobiographical elements, since it was written shortly after the difficult events in Byron's life related to his personal life, which led to his departure from the UK to Switzerland.
Story
Manfred wanders in the Alpine mountains. Weighed down by the fatal questions of being, tormented by a burning longing of hopelessness and the memory of a criminal past, he experiences cruel mental torment. Manfred has penetrated deeply into the secrets of magic and imperiously communicates with powerful hellish forces, but neither they, nothing in the world can give him oblivion, which he alone asks for. The memory of the deceased Astarte, once passionately beloved by him, gnaws and gnaws at his heart, and there are no borders, no end to Manfred's infinite despair.
Alpine fairy is Manfred in the rainbow from the spray of a waterfall. Next is a picture of the simple, poor, free life of mountain residents.
Underground halls of Ahriman. Hell orgy. The appearance of Manfred among the bacchanalia. The challenge and the appearance of the shadow of Astarte. The death and forgiveness of Manfred.
“Manfred” became known mainly thanks to composers Robert Schumann and Pyotr Tchaikovsky , who created musical works on this plot.