Lord Byron and the history of desire

Abstract

Lord Byron and the History of Desire uses Eric Gans' 'generative anthropology' and Rene Girard's theory of imitative desire to interpret Byron's major literary works. It argues that the poet learned something about centrality, identity, and desire through the course of his career, and was able to write his knowledge in ways that might still be interesting to us. He learned that there were new things that it was possible, or necessary, to want, new strategies available for obtaining them, and with these, new risks, new losses, new problems. But what he provides in some of his poetry is not just historical insight. His best poetry is also, still, and perhaps most rewardingly, a demonstration or modeling of behaviors and attitudes that work well in a market world. The most valuable transfers in this world are effected through imitation, and through strengthening and inspiring alliances. Byron provides both, modeling and alliance, in return - fundamental bargain - for our attention, the price of his poems. This book examines the transaction, inquires into its workings, and asks why the price seemed, and might still seem, worth paying.