If they had said that the sun or the moon had gone out of the heavens, it could not have struck me with the idea of a more awful and dreary blank in creation than the words: 'Byron is dead!'
Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The death of Byron feels like a cosmic darkness, more terrible than the sun or moon disappearing.
- In plain terms
- Byron's death seems more dreadful than any natural catastrophe.
- What can you take from it?
- Great artists can feel more vital than celestial bodies.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do we amplify the loss of cultural figures?
- How does fame affect our perception of death?
Another view
The comparison is hyperbolic and subjective.
More from Lord Byron
You speak of Lord Byron and me - there is this great difference between us. He describes what he sees - I describe what I imagine. Mine is the hardest task.
Permalink to quote #122 The world is rid of Lord Byron, but the deadly slime of his touch still remains.
Permalink to quote #124 Mad, bad and dangerous to know.
Permalink to quote #121
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