This paper explores the theme of failed political desire in Lord Byron’s Marino Faliero in terms of the traditional lineage of the revenge tragedy. I will investigate the progress of Romantic dramatic writer’s political tendency toward national reform, which led to the failure of political desire at the end of drama as a reflection of their frustration in reality. During his time spent in a foreign and continental country, right after finishing his Manfred, Byron was particularly interested in writing a political drama concerning the actual tragedy which occurred in Venice, Italy. In Byron’s mind, the political situation of Itay’s past could be compared to the current reality of England during the Romantic period. The historical tragedy was based on the real story of the execution of the Italian Doge, Marino Faliero, who was engaged in a conspiracy against Italian sovereignty which led to the fatal decapitation. Doge’s crisis implicitly shows Byron’s failed political desire for reform.
1. Introduction
2. Traditional Lineage of Revenge Tragedy and Dramatic Experiment
3. The Doge as Byron’s Surrogate and Prophetic Fatalism
4. Conclusion
Works Cited