Marella Therese A.

Tiongson Eng 22: Course Essay #1

2007-18275 January 29, 2010
When Parting Brings Sorrow: a Comparative Analysis of
Byrons When We Two Parted and Brownings Porphyrias Lover
To say ha hroughou he !enuries, "oes ha#e al$ays !hosen lo#e an% $o&en as
"o"ular su'(e!s o) heir "oery, is no o#ersae&en. E#ery lierary &o#e&en, no &aer $here
i originae% )ro&, $ha i%eals i a%heres o, or $hen i e&erge%, $ill al$ays ha#e grea $or*s
%es!ri'ing lo#e an% all is rials an% riu&"hs. The %e"i!ion o) $o&en in "oery &ay ha#e
!hange% o#er i&e as $ell, 'u noneheless, hey are al$ays !losely ie% o lo#e "oe&s as he
o'(e! o) a))e!ion an% he &uses o) &en $ho, )or &os o) hisory, ha#e 'een he ones !o&"osing
&a(oriy o) he lo#e "oery $e sill *no$ o) an% su%y o%ay. +eorge +or%on, ,or% -yron an%
.o'er -ro$ning are no srangers o his ra%iion. A !lose e/a&inaion o) heir $i%e 'o%ies o)
$or*, res"e!i#ely, $ill re#eal ha a nu&'er o) heir "oe&s are %e#oe% o lo#e, $o&en, an% he
#arious $ays an% siuaions ha hese $o su'(e!s !o&'ine. 0) !ourse, ea!h auhor $ill ha#e his
o$n &anner o) a!*ling he a)ore&enione% su'(e!s, a*ing ino a!!oun in%i#i%ual syle,
e/"erien!e, 'elie)s, an% he "erio% in $hi!h he li#e%. This "a"er %is!usses he si&ilariies an%
%i))eren!es in -yron1s 23hen 3e T$o 4are%5 an% -ro$ning1s 24or"hyria1s ,o#er,5 in er&s o)
ea!h $or*1s he&e, syle, !hara!eri6aion, seing, an% sy&'olis&, $ih a )o!us on he res"e!i#e
auhors1 "hiloso"hy o) lo#e an% %e"i!ion o) $o&en.
A he sur)a!e, 'oh "oe&s %eal $ih lo#e, al'ei a %i))eren *in% an% a %i))eren i&es.
The )irs he&e o 'e %is!usse% is ha o) "aring. 7 is !lear )ro& he o"ening lines o) 23hen 3e
T$o 4are%5 ha he "oe& is a'ou he a)er&ah o) a lo#e a))air ha has en%e%: 23hen $e $o
"are% 8 7n silen!e an% ears 8 9 To se#er )or years.5 The s"ea*er in he "oe& %eals $ih he
hear'rea* ha he se"araion $ih his lo#er 'eges: i is a la&en o) $ha 'e!a&e o) heir
relaionshi" an% ho$ he )eels a'ou her.
Mean$hile, -ro$ning a!*les he possibility o) a "aring in 24or"hyria1s ,o#er.5 This is
e#i%en in he )ollo$ing lines: 2she 8 Too $ea*, )or all her hear;s en%ea#or, 8 To se is sruggling
"assion )ree 8 <ro& "ri%e, an% #ainer ies %isse#er, 8 An% gi#e hersel) o &e )or e#er.5 =er lo#er
a!*no$le%ges he $ea*ness in 4or"hyria: her ina'iliy o 'rea* a$ay )ro& $ha !an 'e assu&e%
as her oher o'ligaions an% ies, $hi!h 'e!o&es he o'sa!le o heir union: his $ill laer 'e one
i&"eus $ih $hi!h he $ill !o&&i &ur%er. The si&ilariy ha he "oe&s share is ha i is he
$o&an $ho lea#es or insigaes he se"araion, an% heir lo#ers are le) 'ehin% o &ourn he
"aring or %o so&ehing o &a*e sure he $o&an says $ih hi&.
A se!on% he&e ha he "oe&s ha#e in !o&&on is se!re!y. 7n -yron1s "oe&, he s"ea*er
says o he $o&an ha 2They *ne$ no 7 *ne$ hee 8 3ho *ne$ hee oo $ell,5 $hi!h suggess
ha he naure o) heir relaionshi" $as no "u'li!, an% he s"ea*er a%%s, 27n silen!e 7 grie#e.5
The "oe& i&"lies ha heir relaionshi" is )or'i%%en in so&e $ay, an illi!i a))air o) so&e sor >
his is he he&e on $hi!h &a(oriy o) he $hole "oe&1s &essage is 'uil, ha he s"ea*er is
grie#ing in se!re, $hi!h is "arallel o he se!re!y ha heir a))air ne!essiaes.
-ro$ning also in!or"oraes se!re!y ino his "oe&. The lines 23hen gli%e% in 4or"hyria:
sraigh 8 ?he shu he !ol% ou an% he sor&5 ha#e $or%s li*e 2gli%e,5 2sraigh,5 an% 2shu5
$hi!h lea% he rea%er o asso!iae her a!ions $ih *ee"ing a se!re @gli%e, as a #er', also &eans
o &o#e Auiely $ihou 'eing noi!e%, $hile se!res are usually 2sraigh5 o he "oin, an% 2shu
ou he sor&5 suggess he !o#ering u" o) so&ehing "oenially %esru!i#e. 7 !an 'e in)erre%
ha 4or"hyria an% her lo#er are engaging in an a))air ha she has no srengh o !oninue,
'e!ause she is ire% o) )ighing he 2sor&5 o) "ro'le&s ha 'eing $ih her lo#er enails. The
&anner in $hi!h he lo#er !o&&is 4or"hyria1s &ur%er is also shrou%e% in se!re!y: he s"ea*er
o'ser#es ha she %oes no sruggle, an% 2All nigh long $e ha#e no sirre%, 8 An% ye +o% has
no sai% a $or%B5 !onnoes ha e#en +o%, or any oher &oral auhoriy, %oes no %are o 'rea*
he silen!e an% re#eal heir se!re or his !ri&e.
The hir% he&e !o&&on in 'oh "oe&s is regre, an% ho$ he s"ea*ers %eal $ih i > or
%o no e#en ha#e i. -yron1s s"ea*er in 23hen 3e T$o 4are%5 re#eals his %ee" regre o$ar%s
he en% o) his relaionshi" $ih he $o&an 'y si&"ly 'y saying, in he "o$er)ul lines, 2,ong,
long shall 7 rue hee 8 Too %ee"ly o ell.5 -ro$ning1s !hara!er, ho$e#er, sho$s no re&orse
o#er he horren%ous !ri&e o) &ur%ering his lo#er, e#en e/"ressing riu&"h: 2The s&iling rosy
lile hea%, 8 ?o gla% i has is u&os $ill, 8 Tha all i s!orn;% a on!e is )le%, 8 An% 7, is lo#e, a&
gain;% insea%B5 This he&e gi#es a gli&"se o) he naure o) he 'oh !hara!ers1 lo#e )or heir
$o&en: -yron1s !hara!er regres he )a! ha he !hooses o le he $o&an he lo#es go )ree
'e!ause i is $ha he hin*s is 'es, $hile 4or"hyria1s lo#er, in he *in% o) sel)ish lo#e he has,
%oes no lea#e any roo& )or regre an% a*es her lierally ino his o$n han%s.
7 is Auie use)ul o assu&e ha here is a 'i o) he $rier in his $or*s: $ha #aries is he
e/en o $hi!h heir "ersonal sel) is re#eale% in he e/. This auo'iogra"hi!al he&e is %eal
$ih Auie %i))erenly 'y -yron an% -ro$ning. 2The greaer nu&'er o) -yron1s shorer ro&ani!
"oe&s are %ire! e/"ressions o) his )eelings )or in%i#i%uals. They &igh 'e %es!ri'e% as rou'le%
lo#e "oe&s, #oi!ing he agony o) lo#e isel) or he &elan!holy o) loss or 'erayal.5 @Mar!han%
117C The 2&elan!holy o) loss5 in -yron1s $riing is #ery e#i%en in 23hen 3e T$o 4are%,5
$hi!h is really all a'ou a lo#er la&ening he loss o) his lo#e% ones. 0n a &ore auo'iogra"hi!al
noe, Mar!han% 'elie#es 27 is signi)i!an ha -yron1s su!!ess)ul lo#e a))airs ins"ire% he leas
"oery.5 @12DC =e goes on )urher o say ha -yron $roe 2&ore seni&enal lines o ,a%y
<ran!es 3e'ser, he $o&an $ho go a$ay, or $ho& he Es"are%.15 @12DC The !rii! also
!on!lu%es ha -yron1s 2ironi! re)le!ions5 $ere a'le o )lo$ &ore )reely $hen ,a%y 3e'ser,
2$hose inno!en!e ha% ins"ire% his seni&enal #erses5 'e!a&e in#ol#e% in a s!an%al $ih he
Fu*e o) 3ellingon.5 @127C ?ill, 3es, anoher !rii! %es!ri'es -yron1s usage o) he he&es in
his $or* as 2loose.5 3es 'elie#es ha he re&o#e% any %ire! 'earing he he&es &ay ha#e on
his o$n li)e, 'u &anage% o gaher he& ino a 2negligen !ons"e!us o) his o$n "ersonaliy.5
@8DC
The auo'iogra"hi!al he&e in -ro$ning1s $or*, ho$e#er, is 'arely #isi'le. A!!or%ing
o Gen&are, he auhor 2re(e!e% %ire! auo'iogra"hy5 an% &a%e a !ons!ious e))or no o allo$
his "ersonal "ro'le&s o e/"li!ily a""ear in he e/, alhough hey are here in 2innu&era'le
an% rans&ue% )or&s.5 @129C
0ne ironi! o'ser#aion !an 'e gahere% )ro& "uing an auo'iogra"hi!al ele&en in he
!o&"arison o) 23hen 3e T$o 4are%5 an% 24or"hyria1s ,o#er5 > -yron, $ho ha% a noorious
re"uaion 'e!ause o) his &any a))airs an% relaionshi"s, $ries a'ou a $o&an as hough he
$ere )aih)ul an% loyal, an% hol%s her in he highes esee&. 7n he "oe&, i is he $o&an $ho
lea#es hi& an% gains a arnishe% re"uaion. 7 !an 'e sur&ise% ha his is a re#ersal o) roles
so&eho$, sin!e in real li)e ,or% -yron $as *no$n o ha#e le) a goo% nu&'er o) $o&en o
&ourn his "aring. Conne!ing his line o) hin*ing o he "oe&, he rea%er !an !on!lu%e ha i
'e!o&es auo'iogra"hi!al, in a sense, sin!e -yron &us ha#e 'een a$are o) ho$ $o&en )eel
$hen he lea#es he& an% here)ore a""lies his o he s"ea*er, a%%ing his "ersonal )eelings a)er
)in%ing ou $ha 'e!a&e o) he one $o&an he 2s"are%5 )ro& his !onAuess.
-ro$ning, on he oher han%, $as reno$ne% )or his lo#e an% %ee" %e#oion o Eli6a'eh
-arre. -ro$ning1s "hiloso"hy o) lo#e $as 2no only a ro&ani! "assion, a s"iriual "rin!i"le
an% a su"re&e i%eal, 'u as $ay o Truh, o +o%, he lin* 'e$een he hu&an an% he %i#ine,
eAually a "assion o) hear, soul, &in%, an% 'o%y.5 @Gen&are 12DC The irony is he $ay he $iss
his "rin!i"le in he lo#er o) 4or"hyria, $ho sees lo#e as a &o&en ha he $ans o "reser#e 'y
en%ing 4or"hyria1s li)e. -ro$ning, $hose relaionshi" $ih Eli6a'eh -arre is %rasi!ally
%i))eren o ha o) his !hara!ers in he "oe&, &a*es he s"ea*er #ie$ 4or"hyria as a !onAues,
so&ehing ha is righ)ully his @2Tha &o&en she $as &ine, &ine, )air, 8 4er)e!ly "ure an%
goo%5C an% he $ans o *ee" her )ro& lea#ing hi& %ue o $ha !an 'e %e%u!e% as her
!o&&i&ens, $heher o anoher "erson or o her !ir!u&san!es. 0) his *in% o) lo#e, Gen&are
says i is 2?o rare a "assion )or "er)e!ion, a "assion ha $oul% *ill he o'(e! o) lo#e in a
su"re&e &o&en raher han ris* any %i&inuion o) he 'eauy.5 @1H0C This *in% o) lo#e &ay
li*ene% o 2!ruely9I$hi!hJ e/iss in he &any )or&s o) e&oion ha go 'y he na&e o) Elo#e1
'u are a!ually lile &ore han #arious y"es o) egois& an% sel)-lo#e.5 @1K5C ?ill, Gen&are has
anoher e/"lanaion )or his )or& o) lo#e in -ro$ning1s !hara!er. =e says ha %eah is
!onsanly "er!ei#e% as 2li)e1s high &ee%,5 an% ha here e/iss a noion ha li)e 2!anno
e&'ra!e "er)e!ion,5: i) su!h an insan!e $here su!h heighs are ou!he%, li)e herea)er $ill
2ine#ia'ly !ause a "lunge ino he a'yss o) %es"air, an% a!ual %eah is "re)erre%9,o#e is he
li)e-gi#er, alhough $rongly un%ersoo%, i !an "ro#e o 'e a %eah-'ringer.5 @1H0-1H1C
There is a !o&&on he&e ha o#erla"s 'oh "oe&s: he ineAualiy o) lo#e in 'oh "aries
o) he "oe&s. Gen&are1s $or%s !an 'e use% o a"ly %es!ri'e 'oh "oe&s as 2he &os %eli!ae
an% "ro)oun% rage%ies o) lo#e.5 7n his !ase, here is no one o 'la&e > here is (us he si&"le,
a$)ul )a! ha one o) he& %oes no ha#e he !a"a!iy o lo#e he oher in he sa&e %egree. @1KDC
This !an 'e seen in -yron1s "oe& 'e!ause he s"ea*er is la&ening he loss o) lo#e o) he
$o&an an% her 2!ol%ness5 o$ar%s hi&: he )a! ha she %oes no lo#e hi& li*e she use% o
!auses hi& o grie#e. 7n -ro$ning1s "oe&, 4or"hyria is oo 2$ea*5 an% she !anno &a!h he
lo#e ha her lo#er has )or her > so he %oes $ha he hin*s is he 'es $ay o eAuali6e heir
siuaion an% gahers srengh )ro& ha &o&en, *illing her.
7n er&s o) syle, 'oh "oes use si&"le, e#ery%ay language in heir "oe&s. They are
easily un%ersoo% u"on rea%ing or lisening. The %i))eren!e lies in he "ur"ose o) his si&"li!iy:
-yron %oes no use ornae language 'e!ause he $ans o "orray he "lainness o) his !hara!er1s
grie). There are no )rills a'ou i, 'e!ause o -yron, he !hara!er is (us ha: grie#ing 'e!ause his
lo#er le) hi&. -ro$ning, &ean$hile, uses si&"le, &aer-o)-)a! language o ren%er an
2e&oional re!or%ing o) he &ur%er I$hi!hJ is uli&aely in%i!ai#e o) he a!or1s &a%ness.5
@-urro$s 5HC
-ro$ning an% -yron also uili6e "arallelis& in heir "ie!es, an% his is !onne!e% no (us
o he ha""enings o) heir o$n li#es, 'u a re#ersal o) roles in he e/. 7n -yron1s "oe&, he
'egins he "oe& $ih a "aring o) lo#ers, an% en%s i $ih a &eeing. 7n he )irs hal) o)
-ro$ning1s "oe&, i is 4or"hyria $ho &a*es her lo#er lie on her shoul%er: in he ne/ hal), i is
he $ho no$ !ra%les he %ea% 4or"hyria1s hea% on his shoul%er. The use o) "arallelis& in 'oh
e/s ser#es o highligh a !onras in he ou!o&e o) e#ens )or he !hara!ers.
-oh "oe&s !an 'e rea% as &onologues, sin!e he s"ea*ers are relaing an e#en or
hough o he&sel#es an% hey %o no ha#e a "ari!ular au%ien!e. The %i))eren!e is he $ay he
&onologue is reae%: -yron1s #oi!e !an 'e hear% hrough his s"ea*er, $ho is sharing a #ery
"ersonal e#en: -ro$ning, ho$e#er, uses a &ore %ra&ai! &onologue an% &a*es a %isin! #oi!e
in he &ur%erer.
Anoher %i))eren!e in syle is he su'(e! o) ea!h "oe&. 7n 23hen 3e T$o 4are%,5 he
su'(e! o) he "oe& is he $o&an $ho le) he s"ea*er. 7n -ro$ning1s 24or"hyria1s ,o#er,5 i is
e#i%en ha 2The real su'(e! is 4or"hyria1s lo#er hi&sel), an% he narrai#e o) e#ens is here o
o'(e!i)y > o %ra&ai6e > his "ahologi!al naure. @-urro$s 58C
7n er&s o) )or&, -urro$s %es!ri'es 24or"hyria1s ,o#er5 as ha#ing he 2san6ai! rhy&e
"aern Io)J a'a'', as i $ere an alernaely-rhy&e% Auarain $ih an a%%iional line o &a*e a
!ou"le en%ing9 he lines are sri!ly o!osylla'i!9he &eri!al nor& is )our ia&'i! )ee.5
@-urro$s 55C -yron1s "oe&, &ean$hile, is %i#i%e% ino )our san6as $ih eigh #erses ea!h. The
rhy&e sru!ure is a'a' !%!% e)e) ghgh i(i( *l*l &n&n *'*'. The rhy&e is !lear 'e!ause ea!h
san6a is %i#i%e% ino )our #erses, $ih ea!h e#en #erse an% o%% #erse rhy&ing $ih he
!orres"on%ing e#en or o%% #erse. @Mural.!o&C
7n he as"e! o) seing, a signi)i!an %i))eren!e alrea%y esa'lishe% is ha -ro$ning
narraes a s"e!i)i! series o) e#ens ha""ening in he 2"resen,5 $hile -yron %es!ri'es he
a)er&ah o) an e#en ha %oes no really ha#e a %e)inie i&eline. The rea%er )eels ha -yron1s
"oe& !orres"on%s &ore o realiy, sin!e i %es!ri'es a uni#ersal )eeling ha &any "eo"le !an
i%eni)y $ih, $hile -ro$ning1s "oe& see&s li*e i is a s!ene )ro& a nigh&are. 0) his,
<oheringha& says, 2he $hole e"iso%e $as only an inense %rea&s9i is a ro&an!e o)
o#er&asering "assion. 7 oo* "la!e only a&ong he $il% &oions o) a lo#er1s 'rain.5 @in
Gen&are 1H0C Anoher "oin o) !o&"arison is ho$ he auhors !hoose o 'egin an% en% heir
$or*s. -yron1s "oe& 'egins $ih a "aring o) $o lo#ers, an% en%s $ih a &eeing ha resuls in
he s"ea*er1s resignaion o$ar%s he )ae o) heir lo#e. -ro$ning, on he oher han%, 'egins his
"oe& $ih a s!ene y"i!al o) lo#ers: he o"ening o) a ren%e6#ous. =e en%s his "oe& no $ih a
"aring, 'u a $is on he lo#e s!ene: he &ur%erer !ra%ling his lo#er1s %ea% 'o%y. The $ays ha
he "oes 'egin an% en% heir $or*s are in%i!ai#e o) heir !hara!ers1 a""roa!h o lo#e: -yron1s
!hara!er is a &an $ho hin*s he !an %o nohing 'u a!!e" his se"araion )ro& he $o&an, $hile
-ro$ning1s !hara!er is a &an $ho 'elie#es he go a)er lo#e $ih his o$n han%s @an% Auie
lierally, he %oesC.
-ro$ning "ays in!re%i'le aenion o %eail in his "oe&. =e %es!ri'es he e#ens in )ull,
)ro& he $eaher ousi%e, o 4or"hyria1s a""earan!e, he &anner o) her %eah, an% he s"ea*er1s
"ers"e!i#e o) heir 2lo#e,5 &a*ing he rea%er )eel as hough he $ere righ here. -ro$ning
ae&"s o &a*e he narrai#e s"ea* )or isel), %ra$ing e&oion )ro& he rea%er a s"e!i)i!
e#ens. =o$e#er, -yron "ays &ore aenion o %es!ri'ing e&oion an% )in%ing sy&'ols, as a
su""le&en, o !on#ey he s"ea*er1s grie). The use o) naure is seen here in 'oh "oe&s: -yron,
$ih he 2%e$ o) he &orning5 an% -ro$ning $ih he sor& ousi%e he !oage. 7n using
sy&'ols, -ro$ning is &ore i&"li!i an% e/"e!s he rea%er o un%ersan% he signi)i!an!e o)
so&e sy&'ols, $hile -yron "oins !learly o he !onne!ion an% &a*es i easier )or he rea%er o
)o!us on he e&oional as"e!, $hi!h is his ai&: -ro$ning1s "oe& is a su%y on he a'nor&al
"sy!hology o) he hu&an &in%, a)er all.
This lea%s he rea%er o "on%er on he si&ilariies an% %i))eren!es in !hara!eri6aion o)
-yron an% -ro$ning. -oh "oe&s ha#e "ro&inen $o&en !hara!ers in he&, $ho are he
o'(e!s o) he s"ea*ers1 a))e!ions. The $o&an in -yron1s "oe& %oes no ha#e a na&e @alhough
i is !o&&on *no$le%ge ha he $roe he "oe& )or ,a%y <ran!es 3e'serC, $hi!h is !learly ie%
o he he&e o) se!re!y in his "oe&. The s"ea*er %oes no na&e her, ho"ing ha he sa)ey o)
anony&iy $ill no %a&age her re"uaion any )urher. This na&elessness !an also 'e !onne!e%
o he uni#ersaliy o) "aring, an% ho$ anyone !an e/"erien!e i in Auie he sa&e $ay e#en i)
hey are %i))eren "eo"le. 3ha -yron is rying o highligh here is he sorro$ in "aring is he
!enral &essage o) he "oe&: in his ligh, i %oes no &aer $ho he $o&an is.
-ro$ning1s 4or"hyria is gi#en a na&e 'e!ause i is her "erson ha %ri#es he &ur%erer
&a% $ih $an. =er na&esa*e is +ree* )or 2"ur"le,5 $hi!h is a %a66ling, royal !olor ha only
a%%s o her signi)i!an!e as 'eing he &os i&"oran hing in her lo#er1s li)e. =er enry ino he
"re#iously %ar* an% %reary roo& 'rings li)e ino 'oh he roo& an% he s"ea*er: her yello$ hair
is re"eae%ly &enione% an% 'e!o&es a sy&'ol )or her o$n 'righness, $hi!h he s"ea*er $ans
o "ossess > here'y &a*ing her hair her %o$n)all. ?he is here)ore gi#en su!h a na&e an%
i&"oran!e in he e/ 'e!ause -ro$ning uses her as a %e#i!e o re#eal he insaniy o) he
&ur%erer.
0ne si&ilariy ha he $o&en in 'oh "oe&s share is ha hey are 'oh sha&e%. This is
e/"li!ily sae% in -yron1s "oe& @2Thy #o$s are all 'ro*en, 8 An% ligh is hy )a&e: 8 7 hear hy
na&e s"o*en, 8 An% share in is sha&e5C an% &ay 'e %e%u!e% )ro& 4or"hyria1s 2$ea*5 'eha#ior.
The la%y in -yron1s "oe&, ho$e#er, a""ears no o !are &u!h a'ou her re"uaion, sin!e she
sill "ersiss in her s!an%alous 'eha#ior: 4or"hyria, on he oher han%, %ee"ly !ares )or hers,
$hi!h is $hy she &ay 'e rying o 'rea* o)) her a))air $ih her lo#er.
7 is o) !ourse ne!essary o e/a&ine he !hara!er o) he s"ea*ers. They are #ery %i))eren:
heir only "ossi'le si&ilariy is ha hey are !on)rone% or e/"erien!ing se"araion )ro& he
$o&en hey lo#e. The s"ea*er in -yron1s "oe& &ay 'e !aegori6e% un%er he 2=ero o)
?ensi'iliy,5 $ho, a!!or%ing o Thorsle# is 2%isinguishe% no 'y %aring e/"lois or su"erior
inelligen!e, 'u Auie si&"ly 'y his !a"a!iies )or )eeling, &osly )or he en%er e&oions.5 @K5C
The !hara!erisi!s o) -yron1s s"ea*er !orres"on% $ih so&e ha Thorsle# has "res!ri'e% )or
his =ero: 2$ell-e%u!ae%, "ale an% in!line% o9 E'rain )e#ers1 'rough a'ou 'y )is o)
&elan!holy, %isin!ly e))e&inae, an% i&i% so&ei&es o he "oin o) !o$ar%i!e.5 @K9C The
rea%er !an ell ha he &an is $ell-e%u!ae% 'e!ause he is $ise an% *no$s ho$ o "roe! his
re"uaion, !hoosing no o asso!iae $ih his arnishe% lo#er an% grie#ing in silen!e: he a!ion
o) $ee"ing ha he %oes &ay also 'e hough o) as e))e&inae: he $hole &oo% o) he "oe& is
generally &elan!holi!: an% i !an 'e argue% ha he !hara!er, in !hoosing o &ourn in silen!e, is
i&i% o he "oin o) !o$ar%i!e. =e is he &ore re#ealing hero 'e!ause his e&oions gi#e hi&
a$ay.
-ro$ning1s !hara!er is oally %i))eren. This shi) &ay allu%e o he !hange in he $ay
"eo"le $ere 'eginning o hin* a'ou heir heroes @#eering a$ay )ro& he 'roo%ing, e&oional
&an o he one ha is &ore raional an% !al!ulae%C a he en% o) he .o&ani! Era o) -yron, an%
he sar o) he Li!orian Era o) -ro$ning. The &ur%erer is he e&'o%i&en o) he %a$n o) he
Li!orian Era, $hose see&ingly raional a!ions are %ri#en 'y his )eelings. 0) he +ohi! Lillain,
Thorsle# says ha he 2a""ears in a sense ha he is he &a(or !hara!er: 9ne#erheless al$ays a
#illain, no a .o&ani! re'el-hero. =e )is ino he &oraliy o) he age: he a!*no$le%ges he
&oral !o%es o) so!iey an% his o$n $i!*e%ness in #iolaing hose !o%es, an% he here)ore ne#er
engages our sy&"ahies $ih his re'ellion.5 =e )urher %es!ri'es he +ohi! #illain as su!h: 2he
sense o) &ysery is a""aren9 in his @+ohi! #illainC enire "ersonaliy9 i is in!rease% 'y an
aura o) "as se!re sins. I=e hasJ grea srengh o) $ill9 IaJ )or!e)ul an% ingenious &in%9 IoJ
%e#ise he en%less &a!hinaions o) e#il9 I'uJ his &oi#es see& ina%eAuae o he orrens o)
e#il unleashe% in his "ersonaliy.5 @Thorsle# 5K-5HC This !orres"on%s $ih he noion ha
-ro$ning1s !hara!er as a #illain: here is an ele&en o) &ysery in his "ersonaliy an% a!ions,
an% he has a grea $ill o 'e %eer&ine% o *ill 4or"hyria an% an ingenious, in he $ay he %e!i%es
o "reser#e he &o&en $hen she a""arenly $orshi"s hi&. 7 is no sur"rising, here)ore, ha he
also earns no sy&"ahy )ro& he rea%ers 'e!ause o) his e#il %ee%.
Anoher i&"oran !onras is he $ay he !hara!ers in 'oh "oe&s %eal $ih se"araion.
-yron1s narraor ries o *ee" he $o&an1s &e&ory 'y grie#ing only in 2silen!e an% ears,5
$hile, as re"eae%ly &enione%, -ro$ning1s s"ea*er ae&"s o &a*e he girl say $ih hi&
)ore#er 'y "reser#ing an a!ual &o&en, no &aer ho$ &or'i% i &ay see&. Their res"onses
i&"ly heir naure: -yron1s !hara!er as a =ero o) ?ensi'iliy $ho *ee"s o hi&sel) an% $ee"s
)or his los lo#e, an% -ro$ning1s !hara!er as a +ohi! Lillain in he gross &is&a!h 'e$een his
inenions an% his a!ions.
The )inal "oin o) !o&"arison 'e$een he auhors $ill 'e heir use o) sy&'ols in he
"oe&. -yron an% -ro$ning use he sa&e sy&'ols in so&e insan!es, 'u heir #arying
iner"reaions $ill 'e he ineresing hing. ?ilen!e is a !onsisen sy&'ol in 'oh "oe&s: The
anguish an% su))ering o) he !hara!er, an% he )a! ha no one *no$s o) heir relaionshi" is
sy&'oli6e% 'y he silen!e o) he narraor1s soliary "ain. -ro$ning, &ean$hile, has a %i))eren
a*e on silen!e: he a*es i o &ean an agree&en. 3hen 4or"hyria 'e!o&es sill a)er %ying, he
$ay she is %es!ri'e% len%s isel) o a *in% o) sillness, es"e!ially in he $ay she $as a%oringly
loo*ing a he &ur%erer. The !hara!er a*es i o &ean ha 4or"hyria, $ho is una'le o say
anyhing else, $ill no longer sruggle agains hi&, hus gi#ing her no !hoi!e 'u o say $ih hi&
2)ore#er.5 There is also he silen!e in ha he &ur%erer says e#en 2+o% has no sai% a $or%,5
$hi!h &eans nohing, no e#en guil, !an %isur' he "er)e! sereniy o) he &o&en )or hi&.
Anoher sy&'ol use% in he "oe&s is !ol%ness. Col%ness in -yron1s "oe& is seen in $o
insan!es: 24ale gre$ hy !hee* an% !ol%, 8 Col%er hy *iss5 an% 2The %e$ o) he &orning 8 ?an*
!hill on &y 'ro$ 8 7 )el li*e he $arning 8 0) $ha 7 )eel no$.5 7n he )irs insan!e, !ol%ness is
use% o %es!ri'e he "hysi!al relaionshi" o) he $o as heir lo#e %eerioraes, an% hen )or her,
%ies. 7 also %es!ri'es he !ol% %e&eanor $ih $hi!h she reas hi&. 7n he ne/ insan!e, he
!ol%ness "er&eaes he air ha surroun%s hi&: $ha is su""ose% o 'e he $ar& ligh o) %ay, a
ne$ 'eginning, sill !hills hi&. All ha surroun%s hi& is !ol%ness, $hi!h signi)ies he la!* o) li)e
he )eels no$ ha hey are a"ar.
Col%ness !o&es ino "lay in a %i))eren &anner in -ro$ning1s $or*. Col%ness is )oun% in
he gloo&y !oage @$ih he rain an% he 2sullen $in%5C 'e)ore 4or"hyria1s arri#al. 7s "resen!e
is !onsan in he "oe&: i !an 'e sai% ha he &ur%erer is !ol% o$ar%s 4or"hyria1s $ea*ness,
!ol% in his ina'iliy o un%ersan% her, an% )ro6en in his o$n sel)ishness > $hi!h lea%s hi& o
!o&&i a !ol%-'loo%e% a! o) &ur%er. E#en hough he %es!ri'es her !hee* as 2-lushing 'righ
'eneah &y 'urning *iss,5 i is e#i%en ha, un%erneah her s*in, her 'loo% runs !ol%. -oh
$riers are a'le o align heir !hara!ers $ih naure 'y using !ol%ness in heir "oe&s. The
%i))eren!e is ha in -ro$ning1s "oe&, i is he s"ea*er $ho is !ol%, $hile in -yron1s "ie!e, i is
he $o&an.
The las &a(or sy&'ol o 'e %is!usse% an% !o&"are% is %eah. Feah 'e!o&es a sy&'ol
here )or 'oh "oe&s, 'u is iner"ree% #ery %i))erenly. 7n 23hen 3e T$o 4are%,5 he lo#e
'e$een he s"ea*er an% he $o&an %ies: his !an 'e seen in he $ay he "oe& $as $rien li*e a
)are$ell, an% again he use o) !ol%ness in so&e "ars. 7n -ro$ning1s "oe&, 4or"hyria1s %eah is,
as $as &enione%, seen as a "reser#aion o) her lo#e )or her &ur%erer > a sar* !onras o he
lo#e ha %ie% in 23hen 3e T$o 4are%.5 0#erall, i !an 'e sur&ise% ha -ro$ning uses &ore
i&ages an% sy&'ols han -yron %oes, 'u his is 'e!ause -yron $ans o )o!us on &a*ing he
rea%er )eel he ra$ e&oion o) sa%ness as i really is, an% no (us a re"resenaion o) i.
-ro$ning, &ean$hile, relies on he use o) sy&'olis&s @in %es!ri'ing 4or"hyria, her hair, he
!oage, he $eaher, e!.C o &a*e he rea%er rea% 'e$een he lines o) his see&ingly si&"le
narrai#e an% see &ore signi)i!an!e here.
7n !on!lusion, -yron an% -ro$ning &a*e use o) si&ilar he&es an% sy&'ols, 'u
iner"re he& as hey see )i )or heir "oe&s. -yron1s 23hen 3e T$o 4are%5 a""eals &ore o
he hear o) he rea%er 'e!ause o) is %e"i!ion o) he a)er&ah o) lo#ers "aring, $hile
-ro$ning1s 24or"hyria1s ,o#er5 e/!ies he &in% $ih is 'rush ino he $ise%, lo#esi!*
houghs o) a &ur%erer. -oh "oe&s are a'ou lo#e an% $o&en, 'u u"on !lose e/a&inaion o)
%i))eren ele&ens, i is !lear ho$ su!h see&ingly all-en!o&"assing su'(e!s ha#e so &any
angles an% sories o 'e e/"lore% an% share%, all o) $hi!h are sha"e% 'y he in%i#i%ual $rier.
-yron an% -ro$ning1s "oery &ay #ary in &any as"e!s %ue o he sar* !onras o) he
!on#enions in he .o&ani! an% Li!orian Eras @li*e he #ie$ o) lo#e as &ore o) a )eeling in he
)or&er an% as a raional, "sy!hologi!al e/"loraion in he laerC 'u he )a! ha hey use
analogous he&es an% sy&'ols &eans ha here are so&e i%eas in "oery ha $ill al$ays re&ain
ageless, li*e lo#e an% $o&en > i is (us heir inno#ai#e iner"reaion ha &a*es hings %i#erse.
3or*s Cie%
-urro$s, ,eonar%. Browning the Poet: an Introductory Study. 4erh: Mni#ersiy o) 3esern Ausralia
4ress, 19D9. 4rin.
Gen&are, Fallas. An End to Darkness: a New Approach to Robert Browning and His ork! ,on%on: 4.
0$en, 19D2. 4rin.
Mar!han%, ,eslie. Byron"s Poetry: a #ritical Introduction! -oson: =oughon Mi))lin, 19D5. 4rin
Thorsle#, 4eer. $he Byronic Hero: $ypes and Prototypes! Minnea"olis: Mni#ersiy o) Minnesoa 4ress,
19D2. 4rin.
3es, 4aul. Byron and the Spoiler"s Art! ,on%on: Chao N 3in%us, 19D0. 4rin.
23hen $e $o "are%.5 MM.A,. O.%. 27 January 2010. P h":88&ural.u#.es8no&ar"la8'yronanalysis.h&Q