Mazeppa by Lord Byron (1819)
The poem tells the story of a Polish nobleman who is punished for his affair with a countess by being tied to the back of a wild horse and forced to ride it across the steppes, where he faces various dangers. The narrative explores themes of love, betrayal, and survival in the face of adversity.
By Lord Byron · First published 1819 · Genre: Narrative Poetry, Romanticism, Historical Fiction · 9,370 words
First lines
I / 'Twas after dread Pultowa's day, / When Fortune left the royal Swede - / Around a slaughtered army lay, / No more to combat and to bleed.
The power and glory of the war, / Faithless as their vain votaries, men, / Had passed to the triumphant Czar, / And Moscow's walls were safe again - / Until a day more dark and drear, / And a more memorable year, / Should give to slaughter and to shame / A mightier host and haughtier name; / A greater wreck, a deeper fall, / A shock to one - a thunderbolt to all.
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Genres
- Narrative Poetry — The work is a long narrative poem that tells a story through verse, focusing on the adventures and experiences of its protagonist.
- Romanticism — The poem embodies Romantic themes such as individualism, nature, emotion, and the sublime, characteristic of the Romantic literary movement.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set against a historical backdrop, incorporating real historical figures and events, though it takes creative liberties with the story.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around a thrilling and perilous journey, filled with action and challenges, typical of adventure narratives.
Tags
Poem · Narrative · Epic · Romanticism · Byronic Hero · Imprisonment · Freedom · Escape · Horseback Ride · Turmoil · Emotional Turmoil · Mental State
What this Textopian page supports
Mazeppa is listed on Textopian as a novel by Lord Byron, dated 1819 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Lord Byron
- Date: 1819 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Narrative Poetry, Romanticism, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Epic
- Length: 9,370 words
- Structure: 1 section, 72 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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