all words are idle

The most astounding aspect of Fare Thee Well is Lord Byron?s ability to convincingly strip himself of all culpability with regard to his separation from Annabelle. If one were unfamiliar with his erratic, uncouth ways, this poem would seem a dramatic and romantic last gasp at reconciliation between lovers parted over reconcilable troubles. Byron addresses his audience- Lady Byron herself- with a forceful reverence indicating an undying love despite whatever circumstances ailed their relationship. ?Fare thee well!? he writes, giving the sense that there is no bad blood between the two. He presents himself as misunderstood and a desperate heartbroken man fighting to preserve what he has lost. The ?flaws?, barely acknowledged, that led to their estrangement are accounted for as having ?defaced him,? as though they were not his fault and that they are unrelated to his true self. He maintains a tone of desperation with his frequent use of dashes.

Further, Byron goes so far as to place the blame upon Annabelle herself. He calls her ?unforgiving? and victimizes himself by accusing her of having ?the world commend? her for ?his woe.? Crediting her for ?inflicting a cureless wound on him,? he says that ?he scarce can die {more than this}? and proudly pledges that she cannot fall out of love with him.

This same melodramatic decrees appear in Julia?s letter in Don Juan. In one instance, her dramatic proclamation that her love remains misunderstood and unrequited recalls Byron perfectly. Both write of the ?idle? nature of words in their attempts to win their lovers and in their pledges to love undyingly for the rest of their lives. Byron?s strong dramatic presence is clear throughout his writings. It is fascinating how he can make himself believable and likeable even to an audience that knows that he is the one to blame.