Taking a fresh approach to Byron, this book argues that he should be understood as a poet whose major works develop a carefully reasoned philosophy. Situating him with reference to the thought of the period, it argues for Byron as an active thinker, whose final philosophical stance - reader-centred scepticism - has extensive practical implications.
'As a record of philosophical work done in the course of Byron's poetic career Bernhard Jackson's book succeeds in reaffirming the exuberance of the poet's misgivings.' - TLS
'Bernard Jackson provides a new approach to understanding Bryon's philosophical development - one that is sympathetic to the poet's oft-maligned intellectual powers...contributes to larger conversations about the function of poetry and reading in the nineteenth century and provides readers with material for future scholarly investigations of the poet's skepticism.' - Review 19
'Bernard Jackson provides a new approach to understanding Bryon's philosophical development - one that is sympathetic to the poet's oft-maligned intellectual powers...contributes to larger conversations about the function of poetry and reading in the nineteenth century and provides readers with material for future scholarly investigations of the poet's skepticism.' - Review 19