Lara by Lord Byron (1814)
The poem tells the story of a woman who has been abandoned by her lover and is now seeking revenge against him. She is driven by a desire for justice and retribution, but ultimately succumbs to despair and madness. The poem explores themes of love, betrayal, and the destructive power of unchecked emotions.
By Lord Byron · First published 1814 · Genre: Narrative Poetry, Romanticism, Gothic · 15,808 words
First lines
I / The Serfs are glad through Lara's wide domain, / And Slavery half forgets her feudal chain; / He, their unhoped, but unforgotten lord, / The long self-exiled Chieftain, is restored: / There be bright faces in the busy hall, / Bowls on the board, and banners on the wall; / Far checkering o'er the pictured window, plays / The unwonted faggot's hospitable blaze; / And gay retainers gather round the hearth, / With tongues all loudness, and with eyes all mirth. 10
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Genres
- Narrative Poetry — The work is a narrative poem, characterized by its storytelling through verse.
- Romanticism — The poem embodies Romantic themes such as individualism, emotion, and the sublime.
- Gothic — It includes Gothic elements like mystery, dark settings, and a brooding protagonist.
- Adventure — The plot involves adventurous elements and a journey.
Tags
Romanticism · Poetry · Narrative · Verse · Epic · Tragic · Love · Loss · Grief · Mourning · Memory · Nostalgia
What this Textopian page supports
Lara is listed on Textopian as a poem by Lord Byron, dated 1814 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Lord Byron
- Date: 1814 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Narrative Poetry, Romanticism, Gothic, Adventure, Tragedy
- Length: 15,808 words
- Structure: 1 section, 121 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for Lara by Lord Byron
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