February 26, 2024

Darkness
By: George Gordon, Lord Byron (1816)

I had a dream, which was not all a dream. The bright sun was extinguish’d, and the stars Did wander darkling in the eternal space, Rayless, and pathless, and the icy earth Swung blind and blackening in the moonless air; 5 Morn came and went—and came, and brought no day, And men forgot their passions in the dread Of this their desolation; and all hearts Were chill’d into a selfish prayer for light: And they did live by watchfires—and the thrones, 10 The palaces of crowned kings—the huts, The habitations of all things which dwell, Were burnt for beacons; cities were consum’d, And men were gather’d round their blazing homes To look once more into each other’s face; 15 Happy were those who dwelt within the eye Of the volcanos, and their mountain-torch: A fearful hope was all the world contain’d; Forests were set on fire—but hour by hour They fell and faded—and the crackling trunks 20 Extinguish’d with a crash—and all was black. The brows of men by the despairing light Wore an unearthly aspect, as by fits The flashes fell upon them; some lay down And hid their eyes and wept; and some did rest 25 Their chins upon their clenched hands, and smil’d; And others hurried to and fro, and fed Their funeral piles with fuel, and look’d up With mad disquietude on the dull sky, The pall of a past world; and then again 30 With curses cast them down upon the dust, And gnash’d their teeth and howl’d: the wild birds shriek’d And, terrified, did flutter on the ground, And flap their useless wings; the wildest brutes Came tame and tremulous; and vipers crawl’d 35 And twin’d themselves among the multitude, Hissing, but stingless—they were slain for food. And War, which for a moment was no more, Did glut himself again: a meal was bought With blood, and each sate sullenly apart 40 Gorging himself in gloom: no love was left; All earth was but one thought—and that was death Immediate and inglorious; and the pang Of famine fed upon all entrails—men Died, and their bones were tombless as their flesh; 45 The meagre by the meagre were devour’d, Even dogs assail’d their masters, all save one, And he was faithful to a corse, and kept The birds and beasts and famish’d men at bay, Till hunger clung them, or the dropping dead 50 Lur’d their lank jaws; himself sought out no food, But with a piteous and perpetual moan, And a quick desolate cry, licking the hand Which answer’d not with a caress—he died. The crowd was famish’d by degrees; but two 55 Of an enormous city did survive, And they were enemies: they met beside The dying embers of an altar-place Where had been heap’d a mass of holy things For an unholy usage; they rak’d up, 60 And shivering scrap’d with their cold skeleton hands The feeble ashes, and their feeble breath Blew for a little life, and made a flame Which was a mockery; then they lifted up Their eyes as it grew lighter, and beheld 65 Each other’s aspects—saw, and shriek’d, and died— Even of their mutual hideousness they died, Unknowing who he was upon whose brow Famine had written Fiend. The world was void, The populous and the powerful was a lump, 70 Seasonless, herbless, treeless, manless, lifeless— A lump of death—a chaos of hard clay. The rivers, lakes and ocean all stood still, And nothing stirr’d within their silent depths; Ships sailorless lay rotting on the sea, 75 And their masts fell down piecemeal: as they dropp’d They slept on the abyss without a surge— The waves were dead; the tides were in their grave, The moon, their mistress, had expir’d before; The winds were wither’d in the stagnant air, 80 And the clouds perish’d; Darkness had no need Of aid from them—She was the Universe.

Introduction

Byron’s “Darkness,” composed in July 1816, is a reflection on apocalyptic themes and human despair. Written during the “Year Without a Summer,” caused by the eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815, the poem captures the widespread climate anomalies and atmospheric effects that inspired a sense of foreboding and catastrophe. This historical context, marked by abnormal weather, crop failures, and widespread gloom, profoundly influenced Byron’s vision of a world plunged into perpetual darkness.

The poem is written in blank verse, utilizing unrhymed iambic pentameter, which lends a rhythmic yet unstructured quality to the narrative. This form mirrors the chaotic and disordered world Byron describes. The poem unfolds as a prophetic vision of the end of the world, detailing the gradual extinction of all life and the final engulfment of the earth in darkness.

Major themes in “Darkness” include the fragility of human civilization, the indifferent power of nature, and the existential dread of annihilation. Byron explores how humanity responds to extreme adversity, portraying a descent into madness, violence, and ultimately, extinction. The poem’s vivid imagery of a sunless world, dying fires, and decaying remnants of human achievement underscores the theme of inevitable decline and desolation.

As a work of the Romantic period, “Darkness” exhibits characteristics such as a fascination with nature’s uncontrollable forces, a focus on intense emotional experiences, and a critique of human hubris. The poem’s bleak and sublime portrayal of nature’s power aligns with the Romantic interest in the sublime—nature’s ability to inspire both awe and terror.

Contemporary relevance of “Darkness” is found in its exploration of environmental catastrophe and societal collapse. In an era grappling with climate change, natural disasters, and geopolitical instability, Byron’s vision of a world in turmoil resonates with modern anxieties. The poem invites reflection on humanity’s vulnerability to nature’s forces and the potential consequences of environmental neglect and societal disintegration. “Darkness” remains a poignant meditation on the delicate balance between civilization and the natural world, and the thin veneer of order that sustains human existence.

Questions for Consideration

1. Discuss how the historical context of the “Year Without a Summer” influenced Byron’s composition of “Darkness.” How do the climate anomalies and widespread despair of that period shape the themes and imagery of the poem?
2. Analyze how Byron portrays humanity’s response to the apocalyptic scenario in “Darkness.” What behaviors and emotions does he highlight, and what commentary is he making about human nature and society in the face of extreme adversity?
3. Examine the theme of nature’s indifferent power in the poem. How does Byron depict the natural world’s ability to overwhelm and extinguish human civilization? Discuss the significance of this portrayal in the context of Romantic literature.
4. Explore the imagery and symbolism. How does Byron use images of light and darkness, fire and cold, and life and death to convey his themes? Discuss how these symbols contribute to the poem’s apocalyptic vision.
5. Identify and discuss the Romantic characteristics present in “Darkness.” How does the poem reflect Romantic preoccupations with nature, the sublime, and the limits of human power? Consider how these elements align with or diverge from other works of the Romantic period.
6. Reflect on the contemporary relevance of “Darkness.” How do the themes of environmental catastrophe and societal collapse resonate with modern issues such as climate change and global instability? Discuss the poem's insights into human vulnerability and the consequences of environmental neglect.
7. Analyze the psychological descent of humanity as depicted in the poem. How does Byron portray the mental and emotional deterioration of individuals and societies in the face of prolonged darkness and disaster? Discuss the significance of this descent in the context of the poem’s broader themes.
8. Compare Byron’s apocalyptic vision in “Darkness” with other literary or religious depictions of the end of the world. How does Byron’s secular and naturalistic approach to apocalypse differ from traditional narratives? Discuss the implications of his unique perspective.
9. Write a personal reflection on how “Darkness” resonates with your own views on environmental and societal issues. How does Byron’s depiction of a world in turmoil influence your thoughts on the current state of the world and the future of humanity?