Don Juan is a goat and villain in Spanish folklore in the14th century, which is often reproduced in the works of western writers, such as Moliere's prose play Don Juan and Pushkin's tragedy The Stone Man. Byron remolded Don Juan with the background of European history at the end of/kloc-0 and the beginning of 2009.
The protagonist of the long poem of the same name is an innocent, warm and kind aristocratic youth, with the melancholy and loneliness of Harold Jr., the cynicism of Manfred, and the all-powerful rebellion of Cain. His personality characteristics have deepened and complicated with all kinds of adventures. He obeys human nature, ignores rules and regulations, and rarely pretends; He also lacks firm belief, and often cannot stand the temptation because of his weak will. He grew up in the church, at his mother's knee and at the teacher's desk. Just as his mother bragged about "how serious, calm and steady her young philosopher has become", he was seduced by neighbor Julia and fell in love. The concept cultivated by traditional aristocratic education has been shattered by people's desire for love. Don Juan has always loved his lover, but he is often in danger and forced to part. His affair with his neighbor's woman was exposed and he was forced to stay away from the country. He was killed at sea, saved by the pirate's daughter, and fell in love with him, but was sold to the slave market by greedy pirates and separated from his lover again. Don Juan is not timid, but he can show heroism at the critical moment. When he was in distress at sea and saw people threatened by hunger draw lots to decide who to eat first, he would rather die than do such barbaric behavior; He was taken from the slave market to the court of the Sultan of Turkey. In the face of Sudan's aggressive and shameless courtship, he was calm, pretended to be a snake, and finally fled with his companions. On the battlefield, he risked his life to save an orphan; Knock down the strongman alone on the barren road in England ... Don Juan likes women and has an affair; He is cynical and can quickly adapt to all kinds of unexpected situations. He joined the Russian army that was invading Turkey, went to the court of the Queen of Russia "because of merit", became her new favorite with peace of mind, and later went to Britain as a Russian special envoy. When the long poem came to an abrupt end, he was still addicted to the "big world" in London.
Don Juan is a complicated figure. He is not only different from Don Juan written by other writers, but also greatly surpasses Don Juan in folklore. However, his lewdness and cynicism are similar to the prototype. In Byron's eyes, Don Juan is an ordinary aristocratic youth, and his absurdity is only the natural expression of human nature. It is obvious that he is a popular figure. The complexity of his personality reflects the diversity of life and the complexity of morality in the real world. Objectively speaking, Byron didn't create Don Juan to create typical characters. The description of Don Juan's activities in long poems is often the source and origin of the author's great discussion. Byron said in a letter to the publisher: "I intend to let him travel around Europe and invite him to experience all kinds of besieged cities, wars and adventures;" Finally, ask him to take part in the French Revolution. ..... I want to write him as a cavalry who loves to flatter women in Italy, as the chief culprit in provoking divorce in Britain, and as a sentimental young man like Victor in Germany; Byron's Don Juan aims to satirize the "absurd aspects of various countries' societies" in the protagonist's real life at the end of 18 and the beginning of 19, and reflects the poet's criticism of all reactionary forces' thoughts of democracy and freedom.
First of all, through the hero's adventure footprint, it describes the Greek islands under the rule of pirates, the slave market, the harem of the Turkish Sultan, the Russian court and the British upper class, and depicts the majestic queen, the arrogant queen, the flattering courtiers, the arrogant and overbearing generals, the corrupt princes and nobles ... They are semi-authoritative and semi-lewd, and have created countless human tragedies: the nation was enslaved and invaded, the bloody slaughter on the battlefield, and the slave market. The poet exposed the tyranny of feudal autocracy and the hypocrisy of social morality, condemned the aggression and atrocities of the "holy alliance" and expressed his hatred of the autocratic system.
Secondly, it exposes and satirizes all aspects of English society that the poet is most familiar with. The British Empire threatened the world with abundant capital slaughter, and acted as an international gendarmerie to suppress the revolution and stifle freedom. The government oppresses and exploits the people, politicians lie, and invisible literati rebel. Noble men and women, empty inside, indulge in debauchery. Men drink, gamble and go whoring, while women flirt. Strange bedfellows, a strange couple, is a 23-year-old aristocratic young woman who seduces 16-year-old boy behind her 50-year-old absurd husband. Byron exposed the British bourgeoisie and its money rule with bitter irony and ruthlessness, compared Britain to a zoo full of fierce birds and beasts, and called London "the living room of the devil". In his works, the morality of money worship poisons the society and corrodes the soul. Everyone values money more than anything else: you can "take your life and your wife, but never take anyone's wallet".
Third, long poems are full of love for just things, sympathy for those who have lost their freedom and a call to fight for the oppressed. Byron was very sympathetic to the oppressed and enslaved countries and people. He enthusiastically inspired the Greek people to fight, and even called on the stubborn stone to rise up against the tyrants in the world. He is convinced that the future world is a free world: the people will be free, and all thrones and monarchs will become a terrible and incomprehensible thing for future generations.
There are many philosophical thoughts in Don Juan, such as "contemplating the impermanence of the world", exploring the mystery of "life and death", studying the eternity of time, the shortness of life, the unpredictability of fate and so on. The poet "doubts whether doubt itself is doubt" and regards "life is a game", thus revealing negative emotions such as nihilism, extreme hedonism, pessimism and despair.
Long poems borrow characters from foreign folklore, comment on the reality of Britain and even Europe, criticize the tyranny of suppressing individual freedom, and express the desire for justice and freedom. They are worthy of the fine works of the spirit of the times, and their authors are worthy of being singers of the times. Don Juan is a masterpiece of romanticism, and its strong subjective lyricism and rich romanticism constitute the most prominent artistic characteristics. Byron's vivid love and hate appears in the beautiful and slightly sad poems of long poems, which are everywhere and run through the whole article. The adventures of the protagonist and the ups and downs of fate make dramatic scenes in long poems emerge one after another. The sea, island, inland, beautiful women, robbers, princesses and queens, bizarre stories and exotic feelings show readers a colorful romantic picture. The author's just lyrical and romantic images are integrated, which makes the long poem show irresistible charm.
Narration and discussion are another important feature of Don Juan. Byron often seems unable to control himself. In his narration, he always talks with his hero and readers, or comments on national events and figures, or recalls daydreams, or admires the magic of nature. The poet's comments satirize current events and have strong realistic elements; Lyric comments are mostly romantic, straightforward, wonderful and touching.
The language style of poetry is varied and extremely changeable, and the exposure of anger, spicy banter, sharp debate, witty ridicule, passionate lyricism and philosophical meditation are just right. Byron's language is concise and clear. He uses a lot of spoken words, but they are white but not vulgar, and they are playful but not vulgar. The whole poem is like a gripping and soul-stirring symphony.