Don Juan, Cantos 13 -16

Description

Byron’s Don Juan ends with the 13th through 16th Cantos which were written by the illustrious author at age 36, only one year before, going to fight for the nationalists against the Ottoman Empire in Greece, he would lose his life.

Thankfully for the world, Byron managed to finish his work in style, depicting the last stories of Don Juan in England, where he was invited to attend a hunting party in the company of Lord Henry and Lady Adeline. Although Don Juan’s unmistakable romantic escapades are amply provided, especially through the appearance of a ghost with amble bosoms and an impressive Byronic heroine who goes by the name of Aurora Raby, there is far more to these four Cantos than just a focus on Don Juan’s ability to attract the ladies.

Byron’s underlying motives for setting the scene in one of England’s ancient country seats are manifold. First, he wants to satirize the concept of faith, which he finds to be laughable in the face of English aristocracy which is more concerned with liquor and banquets, or the maintaining of political power and keeping it away from middle-class constituents.

No less entertaining, funny and masterfully written than the other Cantos in the series, these last depictions of Don Juan’s extravagant and adventure-filled life seem to be focused more on the futility associated with life as it is seen by those in higher positions, many of whom, according to Byron, have completely missed the point on what may truly be important.

Accompanying these musings are certain accounts present in his last and unfinished Canto which lacks any kind of narrative, and is mainly directed towards his critics. Byron thus completes his great work listing many of the great people who were seen as outsiders during their times – including Galileo and Martin Luther – and who were later praised for their efforts in staying true to their views.
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