35. Jeorge Gordon Byron

For a long time there existed two 1) controversial opinions on Byron: he was regarded in England as the perverted man, the satanic poet; while on the Continent, he was hailed as the champion of liberty, poet of the people. Because of the English prejudice, Byron was refused to be 2) buried with his poetic peers when he died. Only in 1969 was this prejudice against Byron finally overcome by the British critical circle. A white marble-floor 3) memorial to Lord Byron was set up in Westminster Abbey. Thus, his name was put among those of famous poets in the “Poets Corner”.

Byron’s poetry has great influence on the literature of the whole world. Across Europe, patriots and painters and musicians are all 4) inspired by him. Poets and novelists are profoundly influenced by his work. Actually Byron has enriched European poetry with 5) an abundance of ideas, images, artistic forms and innovations. He stands with Shakespeare and Scott among the British writers who exert the greatest influence over the mainland of Europe.