Focus on Words

Later years
Political career
Life abroad
The Armenians in Venice
In Italy and Greece
Poetic works
Byronic hero
Character and description
Physical description
Fondness for animals
Lasting influence
6th Baron Byron
Byron and the Armenians
In 1816, Byron visited the Mekhitarist Order Saint Lazarus Island in Venice
where he got acquainted with Armenian culture. He learned the Armenian language,
and attended many seminars about language and history. He wrote English Grammar
and Armenian in 1817, and Armenian Grammar and English in 1819, where he
included quotations from classical and modern Armenian. Byron also participated in
writing the English- Armenian dictionary and wrote the preface in which he explained
the relationship of the Armenians with the Turks, and the struggle of the Armenians for
liberation. His two main translations are the Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, two
chapters of Movses Khorenatsi’s History of Armenia and sections of Nerses of
Lambron’s Orations.He may be credited with the birth of Armenology and its
propagation. His profound lyricism and courage has inspired many Armenian poets,
the likes of Ghevond Alishan, Smbat Shahaziz, Hovhannes Tumanyan and others.
My Native Land
By George Gordon Byron
Adieu!Adieu my native shore
Yon 1 sun that sets upon the sea
Fades o’er the waters blue,
We follow in his flight,
The night winds sigh, the breakers roar, Farewell awhile to him and thee 2
And shrieks the wild sea-mew.
My native land – Good night!
Study Skills
1. Verbal irony in everyday speech is easily recognized because the listener has
the speak er’s tone of the voice and facial expression to aid him, e.g.
“What a nice guy you are”, Tom said as his brother ate the last slice of Tom’s
birthday cake.
When reading, one must be alert to a writer’s use of irony or the point may be
missed entirely.
Verbal irony is frequently used as a device of satire.
1. yon adv (old use) - in the place or direction shown; over there
2. thee - you
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