The poem, The Eve of Waterloo, begins in revelry and merriment, which unexpectedly transforms into despair and ultimately, a revelation. Describe the events that led to this transformation.
The Eve of Waterloo’ by Lord
Byron is a narrative poem, exciting as well as full of pathos. The poem is
based on a true incident that happened just before the Battle o Waterloo. The
battle took place in June 1815 in Waterloo, a village about 11 miles from Brussels
where the Duke of Wellington defeated his famous French rival, Napoleon.
Napoleon was sent to exile and imprisonment. When Napoleon was advancing
towards Brussels, the Duke of Wellington was with his officers attending a ball
thrown by Charlotte, the Duchess of Richmond.
Byron's poem, 'The Eve
of Waterloo' deals with battle, bravery, and patriotism. It also draws our
attention to the unpredictability of life. We plan something, but altogether
different things happen. The theme of Death, as a leveler, gives a universal
appeal to the poem.
The poem tells us about the events that
happened on the eve of the battle of Waterloo. It starts with the description
of a merry-making in which die youngsters were rejoicing. All the brave and
beautiful Brussels turned up in their best dresses and finery. They were full
of life. Romance was in the air. The atmosphere was cheerful. And all went
merry as a marriage bell' There was opulence and extra-vaganza as Belgians did
everything with magnificence.
Lamps shone everywhere in the ball
room of the ancient mansion and soft music filled the air, but all of a sudden
the revelers were gripped with terror and panic. They heard the sound of
gunfire but they dismissed it as the sound of wind.
"Let joy be unconfined;
No sleep till morn, when youth and pleasure meet
To chase the glowing hours with flying feet."
Brunswick's chieftain heard the
cannon sound and with fire of revenge at his father's death, he jumped into the
fray and gave up his life. The other soldiers realizing the emergency started
preparing for war. There were tears and words of farewell. There was absolute
shock as they never thought that such a sweet night would bring such an awful
morning.
The soldiers mounted in haste and poured
forth with impetuous speed. The previous noon beheld them full of lusty life,
in the evening they were enjoying with beautiful women, the midnight brought
the sound of strife, and in the morning they were marching towards the enemy.
It's truly said that danger comes
uninvited. When the thunder clouds close over, Earth will have a cover of clay,
red and cloying. Rider, horse, friend and enemy will all be buried under that
red clay. The poem is a tribute to the gallant soldiers who leave all their
merry making to attend to the call of duty. Their commitment and courage are to
be appreciated. The last part of the poem brings out the unpredictability of
life.
The poem ends on a philosophical
revelation that death treats everyone in a similar way. There is no difference
between animal, man, friend and foe. All are equal before Death.
The Eve of Waterloo’ by Lord Byron is a narrative poem, exciting as well as full of pathos. The poem is based on a true incident that happened just before the Battle o Waterloo. The battle took place in June 1815 in Waterloo, a village about 11 miles from Brussels where the Duke of Wellington defeated his famous French rival, Napoleon. Napoleon was sent to exile and imprisonment. When Napoleon was advancing towards Brussels, the Duke of Wellington was with his officers attending a ball thrown by Charlotte, the Duchess of Richmond.
Byron's poem, 'The Eve
of Waterloo' deals with battle, bravery, and patriotism. It also draws our
attention to the unpredictability of life. We plan something, but altogether
different things happen. The theme of Death, as a leveler, gives a universal
appeal to the poem.
The poem tells us about the events that
happened on the eve of the battle of Waterloo. It starts with the description
of a merry-making in which die youngsters were rejoicing. All the brave and
beautiful Brussels turned up in their best dresses and finery. They were full
of life. Romance was in the air. The atmosphere was cheerful. And all went
merry as a marriage bell' There was opulence and extra-vaganza as Belgians did
everything with magnificence.
Lamps shone everywhere in the ball
room of the ancient mansion and soft music filled the air, but all of a sudden
the revelers were gripped with terror and panic. They heard the sound of
gunfire but they dismissed it as the sound of wind.
"Let joy be unconfined;
No sleep till morn, when youth and pleasure meet
To chase the glowing hours with flying feet."
Brunswick's chieftain heard the
cannon sound and with fire of revenge at his father's death, he jumped into the
fray and gave up his life. The other soldiers realizing the emergency started
preparing for war. There were tears and words of farewell. There was absolute
shock as they never thought that such a sweet night would bring such an awful
morning.
The soldiers mounted in haste and poured
forth with impetuous speed. The previous noon beheld them full of lusty life,
in the evening they were enjoying with beautiful women, the midnight brought
the sound of strife, and in the morning they were marching towards the enemy.
It's truly said that danger comes
uninvited. When the thunder clouds close over, Earth will have a cover of clay,
red and cloying. Rider, horse, friend and enemy will all be buried under that
red clay. The poem is a tribute to the gallant soldiers who leave all their
merry making to attend to the call of duty. Their commitment and courage are to
be appreciated. The last part of the poem brings out the unpredictability of
life.
The poem ends on a philosophical
revelation that death treats everyone in a similar way. There is no difference
between animal, man, friend and foe. All are equal before Death.
