Most epic poets plunge 'in medias res'

Lord Byron's healthy mockery of pretty much all pre-existing models of poetry, and poets especially, marks a welcome, and rather surprising departure from the more ?romantic? notions of romanticism. Byron?s cynicism, and droll pot-shots at the establishment inherent in poetry, is refreshing considering how mired he is in the typical image of romantics as flighty, emotional figures. An image that seems anchored in part in reality, considering some of the other poets we?ve read so far. Byron injects a fair bit of self-awareness into the entire period by reminding us that even the romantics were aware of how ridiculous they could sound at times, and the excesses their ?overflows? were capable of.