Perspective: Literary and Comparative Analysis on Manfred
Start writing a post
News

Perspective: Literary and Comparative Analysis on Manfred

Poems are words that hold a deep meaning within our hearts as they depict the ideologies of mankind.

735
Perspective: Literary and Comparative Analysis on Manfred

Manfred, a poem by Lord Byron, is ultimately an argument that favors the view that knowledge and new information are dangerous. Although circular arguments veil this viewpoint, the reader understands Byron's meaning when they read the poem metaphors in light of the final line. Byron's argument connects with a similar principle of dystopian societies.


Manfred presents the dangerous property of knowledge through how it brings grief to the one who gains this knowledge. The phrase, "But grief should be the instructor of the wise," portrays how Byron believes wisdom also comes with grief, which is a negative emotion linking to sorrow which can harmful effects on the mind and body of the victim. This phrase means that knowledge harms the one who receives it. One example to connect with is from Lois Lowry's The Giver; which is a dystopian novel which at first appears as a utopia. Jonas, the trainee as the receiver of memory, learns from the Giver how Jonas's father has recklessly killed many children considered weak by the Community, which in turn makes Jonas want to escape with the Giver. The Giver doesn't leave because the memories will return to the people, and they will destroy themselves. Both Jonas and the Giver bear the burden for the Community; these examples show how knowledge (in their case memories) is dangerous because it brings pain to the receiver.


Lord Byron also displays the "dangerous" property of knowledge through the circular arguments which veil the point when the reader sees them with consideration of the final line. A Phrase such as, "Sorrow is Knowledge: they who know the most must mourn," can also mean that "knowledge is sorrow: they who mourn must know the most." Sorrow is knowledge is similar to the invertible phrases in George Orwell's 1984 such as "War is Peace", or "Freedom is Slavery". Such Orwellian language from the dystopian novel presents how knowledge about the Party is dangerous. The Party tortures Winston and Julia to hate each other after they learn of the Party's schemes. Reversible phrases (such as sorrow is knowledge) bring up debate about what the author's meaning is, in this case, Bryon's meaning, and explains why some people think Byron is saying that people gain knowledge through loss, pain, and suffering. However, the last line of the poem, which states, "The Tree of Knowledge is not the Tree of Life," presents a biblical idea that the Tree of Knowledge is also the Tree of Death. This biblical passage in Genesis shows how knowledge is dangerous; this summarizes Manfred's passage.


Manfred by Lord Byron presents the case where knowledge is considered dangerous. Byron explains how wisdom also comes along with grief, like in the case with Jonas from The Giver. Byron also presents the connection between suffering and knowledge through circular arguments and uses similar language to Orwellian in the book, 1984, and ends the case with a biblical reference.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52051
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33437
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956274
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181186
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments