[Byron]   [Author List]  [Home]

 
B E P P O

A VENETIAN STORY

by
Lord Byron

This is Byron's first attempt at ottava rima. . . . each stanza consisting of eight lines.  The first six, where every other line rhymes, and then the last two lines rhyme together, such as:  a, b, a, b, a, b, c, c.   He later carries this style on to his epic poem of Don Juan.

Throughout Beppo, Byron rambles off in all directions then returns to the story's plot.  Still, it is very witty and  gives the reader a view of life during that era in Venice, Italy.

It amazes me how he keeps up the rhyming quality as he rattles on . . . and as Byron so aptly put it in his Stanza LXIII:

"To turn, -- and return; -- the devil take it !
This story slips for ever through my fingers,"


Click here to read


 
 
[Byron]   [Author List]  [Home]


Email Address