Manfred is a dramatic poem written by Lord Byron in 1817. It tells the story of Manfred, a nobleman who is haunted by a dark secret. He is tormented by guilt and despair, and seeks solace in the mountains of the Swiss Alps. Manfred is visited by a variety of supernatural beings, including a witch, a mountain spirit, and a demon. He is offered a chance to redeem himself, but refuses. He is eventually visited by the spirit of his dead lover, who tells him that he must accept his guilt and seek forgiveness in order to be released from his suffering. Manfred ultimately decides to accept his fate and dies in the mountains. The poem ends with a moral lesson about the consequences of pride and the importance of accepting one's mistakes.
By Lord Byron · First published 1817 · Genre: Romantic Poetry, Gothic Literature, Drama · 11 chapters