Manfred: A
Dramatic Poem
Study Guide by Course Hero
What's Inside
d In Context
j Book Basics ................................................................................................. 1
Romanticism and Early
d In Context ..................................................................................................... 1
a Author Biography ..................................................................................... 2
h Characters .................................................................................................. 4
k Plot Summary ............................................................................................. 7
Romantic Writers
Lord Byron was part of the Romantic movement. PreRomanticism began in the middle of the 1700s with an
appreciation of the medieval romance from which Romanticism
got its name. Romanticism began in England in the 1790s.
c Act Summaries ........................................................................................ 12
g Quotes ......................................................................................................... 14
l Symbols ...................................................................................................... 16
English writer William Wordsworth (1770–1850) wrote what
would become the manifesto of English Romantic poetry in the
preface to the second edition of his Lyrical Ballads (1798). He
wrote that poetry is an overflowing of emotion. His works,
along with the works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834)
m Themes ........................................................................................................ 17
began the Romantic movement. Romanticism centered on
appreciation for nature, greater examination of human
personality and emotions, and emotion and senses over reason
j Book Basics
and intellect. Most Romantic writers emphasized heroism and
the mysterious. Romanticism ended in 1837 with Queen
Victoria's coronation and the beginning of the Industrial
AUTHOR
Lord Byron
Revolution (1760–1840).
Early Romantic poets who influenced Lord Byron's works
YEAR PUBLISHED
include Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) and William
1817
Blake (1757–1827). Lord Byron's contemporaries, especially
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) and Mary Wollstonecraft
GENRE
Shelley (1797–1851), talked together about elements of the
Tragedy
supernatural and discussed ideas for their works together
ABOUT THE TITLE
The title Manfred: A Dramatic Poem refers to the main
character of the play. Manfred is a nobleman living in the Swiss
Alps. He copes with the loss of Astarte who is the woman he
loves. Lord Byron used "A Dramatic Poem" in the title as a way
to note that he intended the play to be recited rather than
performed.
before and during writing. Lord Byron admitted that he drew on
Prometheus Bound (415 BCE) by the Greek playwright
Aeschylus (c. 525–456 BCE) for Manfred: A Dramatic Poem.
Aeschylus based Prometheus Bound on a myth about the Titan
Prometheus who gave fire to humans. Zeus punished
Prometheus by chaining him to a rock and causing an eagle to
eat his regenerating liver every day. Lord Byron was inspired
by and used elements of Aeschylus' tone and pitch for
Manfred: A Dramatic Poem Study Guide
Manfred: A Dramatic Poem.
Author Biography 2
Magic and Witchcraft
Lord Byron named Alexander Pope (1688–1744) as an
influence on his work. Alexander Pope was a British writer in
Magicians, witches, and sorcerers were feared through much
the early eighteenth century who was known for writing with
of modern history. Superstition about their powers led to witch
heroic couplets which are two lines of rhyming iambic
hunts through several centuries. Historians estimate that
pentameters that can form a complete poem or part of a poem.
between 40,000 and 60,000 people were suspected of
He used satire and philosophy in his works.
magical powers and put to death between 1400 and 1782.
Most of these witch hunts were in what is now Germany,
The Swiss Alps
The Swiss Alps and Lake Geneva have been used as the
setting of many fictional works because of its scenery and
solitude. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (1797–1851 uses
Switzerland and Lake Geneva as one of the settings in
Frankenstein: or, the Modern Prometheus (1818). The main
character Victor Frankenstein is from Switzerland and returns
to the Swiss Alps after creating his monster. Lord Byron and
Mary Wolstonecraft Shelley were both visiting the Swiss Alps
Switzerland, and France.
Historians believe that opposition to the Catholic Church and
the rise of Protestantism in the mid-1500s had much to do with
the witch hunts. The Catholics and Protestants both had a
common enemy that they could use to draw people to their
faith. They could provide protection against Satan. The
Catholics had mostly ignored suspected witches previously,
but they and the Protestants believed that magic came from
Satan, and they were determined to gain followers to their faith
through protecting them from that evil.
at the time that Shelley wrote Frankenstein. Lord Byron,
The witch hunt peak ended in around 1648 which is several
Shelley, and Shelley's husband Percy Bysshe Shelley
decades before Lord Byron was born. The belief in the evil of
(1792–1822) visited sites around Lake Geneva and discussed
witches and magicians remained. Switzerland executed the
ideas about their writing while visiting the area.
last suspected witch in 1782 just six years before Lord Byron
Many writers who visited or lived in Switzerland saw the Swiss
was born.
Alps as a location of intrigue, mystery, and beauty. They chose
Lord Byron includes magic and witchcraft in Manfred: A
to make the Swiss Alps a central part of their works and often
Dramatic Poem. The main character Manfred is a magician who
described the scenery and isolation. Swiss writer Johanna
uses spells and summons spirits in an attempt to reunite with
Spyri (1827–1901) set her children's novel Heidi (1800–81) in
his lost love Astarte. Manfred states that he has been a
Switzerland. Heidi learns to love life in the Swiss Alps after
magician for most of his life and that Astarte shared his love of
being sent to live with her grandfather. Mark Twain
magic.
(1835–1910) was a prominent American writer who described
travels in the Swiss Alps in his novel A Tramp Abroad (1880).
American novelist Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) treats the
Swiss Alps as a location of safety and retreat for the main
a Author Biography
characters in his novel A Farewell to Arms (1929).
Lord Byron wrote Manfred: A Dramatic Poem while living in the
Swiss Alps near Geneva. He used many aspects of the setting
Early Life
in Manfred: A Dramatic Poem. The high mountains are a part of
Lord Byron was born George Gordon Noel Byron in London,
the landscape and are featured prominently in Manfred: A
England, on January 22, 1788. His father was Captain John
Dramatic Poem. In the time Lord Byron was in the area, there
Byron (1756–91). His mother Catherine Gordon (1764–1811) was
were old castles and cathedrals. Lake Geneva was a popular
a Scottish heiress and Captain John Byron's second wife.
water attraction, and Lord Byron may have used it or one of
Captain John Byron spent most of Catherine's money, and she
the other, smaller lakes in the area as the setting for the witch
took Lord Byron to Aberdeen, Scotland, when he was still an
of the Alps's home.
infant. Lord Byron's father died when he was only three years
old.
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Author Biography 3
Catherine did what she could for her child, but they lived
Clairmont (1798–1879). Lord Byron and Claire Clairmont
meagerly in Scotland until Lord Byron was 10. His great-uncle
continued an affair they had started in England, and Claire
Lord William Byron (1722–98) died unexpectedly. He did not
gave birth to their illegitimate daughter Allegra Byron (1817–22)
have any nearer relatives, so Lord Byron inherited Lord
in 1817. Their affair ended around the time Allegra was born
William's title and estates and moved to England with his
though they agreed to raise her knowing both parents. Allegra
mother. Lord Byron attended the best schools in England,
died at a boarding school in Italy of an unknown illness when
including Harrow School in London as a preparatory school
she was five.
from 1801 to 1805 and Trinity College in Cambridge from 1805
until 1808. Lord Byron began gambling while at college. He also
published his first book of poetry Hours of Idleness while
Career and Major Works
attending Trinity College in 1807. Critics dismissed the work as
commonplace and self-indulgent. He gained recognition as a
Childe Harold's Pilgrimage was first published in 1812. This
poet with English Bards and Scotch Reviewers (1809) and was
poem was his first major work and brought him fame as a poet.
first recognized as a promising poet for this poem.
He continued adding to it over the next several years and
finalized it with Canto 4 in 1818. Childe Harold's Pilgrimage is
Lord Byron was known for his love of animals. He kept many
based on Lord Byron's travels after his self-imposed exile from
pets during his life including dogs, cats, a crocodile, a fox, and
Great Britain. Many historians believe that it is at least partly
others. In rebellion of the college's rule against dogs on
autobiographical.
campus, he owned a bear while at Trinity College.
Lord Byron went on to write hundreds of poems which he
published in many volumes. His most famous poems include
Affairs, Marriage, Exile
"And Thou Art Dead, As Young and Fair" (1812), "She Walks in
Beauty" (1814), "Darkness" (1816), "The Prisoner of Chillon"
Lord Byron gained a reputation for promiscuity beginning while
(1816), "The Eve of Waterloo" (1818), and Childe Harold's
he was at college. He had several affairs and was said to be
Pilgrimage (1812–18).
bisexual. His most notable supposed affair was with his half
sister Augusta Byron Leigh (1783–1851). Augusta was his
Self-imposed exile from England drove Lord Byron to
father's daughter from his first marriage, and Lord Byron
Switzerland. He wrote Manfred: A Dramatic Poem there. Lord
probably met her sometime around 1803. London society
Byron drew on the Swiss Alps for the setting of this play. Many
rumored that they began an affair in 1813. Lord Byron later
critics speculate that his supposed affair with his half sister
denied the incestuous relationship, but historians are divided
Augusta was the inspiration for this play. These critics believe
on whether it happened. Lord Byron also began a flirtation or
that Manfred's guilt over the death of a forbidden lover is an
affair with Lady Frances Webster (1793–1837) around 1813.
autobiographical representation of Lord Byron's guilt for loving
Historians believe that he had other affairs because of rumors
his sister.
spread during that time period.
The London Greek Committee was a committee formed in
Lord Byron married Annabella Milbanke (1792–1860) in 1815,
England to raise funds to help provide military support and
and they had a daughter they named Augusta Ada Byron
later to form the new Greek government when the Greeks won
(1815–52) later that same year. Annabella soon tired of Lord
their independence from Turkey. Lord Byron joined the Greek
Byron's reputation and believed him to be insane, so she left
struggle for independence from Turkey in 1823 as an agent of
him shortly after Ada was born and filed for separation and
the London Greek Committee. Lord Byron took command of a
later divorce.
Greek brigade and began fighting. He became ill in February of
1824 and remained weak after his recovery. He contracted a
England's society ostracized Lord Byron because of the
fever in April of that same year. Lord Byron died on April 19,
rumors and the divorce, so he left England in 1816 and never
1824. The Greeks made him a national hero for his efforts in
returned. He spent over a year in Switzerland with writers
their war for independence.
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) and Mary Wollstonecraft
Shelley (1797–1851) along with Mary's half sister Claire
Officials at Westminster Abbey denied Lord Byron burial in
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Manfred: A Dramatic Poem Study Guide
Westminster Abbey. He is buried near Newstead, England, in
his family vault.
Characters 4
The Abbot of St. Maurice
The Abbot of St. Maurice hears that Manfred has been talking
Legacy
with evil spirits and he has heard stories of other evil deeds
Manfred has done. The Abbot tries to persuade Manfred to
Critics and literary experts believe that many of Lord Byron's
repent of his sins. He is determined but unsuccessful in his
works are autobiographical especially those that reflect
attempts. He witnesses Manfred's confrontation with demons.
melancholy and gloom. He was also a satirist as shown by his
first success "English Bards and Scotch Reviewers" (1809) and
"Don Juan" (1819–24).
Lord Byron used several experimental writing styles that
today's writers attempt to imitate, including the humorous
Hudibrastic verse form, blank verse, heroic couplets, and
complex structures. Hudibrastic verse consists of eightsyllable lines and rhyming couplets. It is a humorous narrative
form of poetry. Blank verse is also known as unrhymed iambic
pentameter where each line has 10 syllables and unstressed
syllables are followed by stressed syllables. Historians believe
that British poet Geoffrey Chaucer (1342–1400) first used
heroic couplets which are a couplet of rhyming iambic
pentameters that can form a complete poem or part of a poem.
Lord Byron's work still has an impact on writers today as they
attempt to imitate his style.
h Characters
Manfred
Manfred inadvertently caused the death of Astarte the woman
he loves. He is able to summon spirits and tries to persuade
them to help him forget her. He also asks her spirit for
forgiveness but she does not give it. He cannot forget her so
he tries to give up his immortality and die to be with her.
The chamois hunter
The chamois hunter finds Manfred about to jump off of a cliff
and prevents him from doing so. He takes Manfred back to his
home and talks with him about why Manfred does not want to
live. The chamois hunter does not leave Manfred alone until he
is sure that Manfred is no longer suicidal.
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Manfred: A Dramatic Poem Study Guide
Characters 5
Character Map
The chamois hunter
Kind peasant
The Abbot
of St. Maurice
The witch of the Alps
Beautiful, powerful immortal
Kind holy man
Rescuer
Minister
Petitioner
Friendly
acquaintances
Manfred
Guilty, grief-stricken magician;
wealthy nobleman
Employee
Petitioner
Herman
Loyal servant
The seven spirits
Powerful, formless beings
Lovers
Intermediary
Astarte
Nemesis
Beautiful woman’s ghost
Powerful spirit
Main Character
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Manfred: A Dramatic Poem Study Guide
Other Major Character
Minor Character
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Characters 6
Manfred: A Dramatic Poem Study Guide
Full Character List
Plot Summary 7
Manfred uses a spell to summon the seven spirits. The seven
spirits are nature spirits of earth, ocean, air, night, mountains,
winds, and his own star. The seven spirits introduce
Character
Description
themselves and ask Manfred about his request. He wants
forgetfulness but he will not tell the seven spirits exactly what
Manfred
Manfred is a magician who loves a
woman he should not love.
he wants to forget. He believes the spirits can read it in his
thoughts. The seven spirits explain that they cannot grant his
request because they can only work within the elements they
The chamois
hunter
The chamois hunter is a kind peasant.
The Abbot of St.
Maurice
The Abbot of St. Maurice is a kind,
holy man.
have power over. The seven spirits suggest that if he wants to
truly forget he can die.
Manfred asks to see the spirits in their own forms. They do not
have forms but the spirit of his star appears in the shape of his
recently deceased love Astarte before the spirit vanishes.
Arimanes
Arimanes is an evil god or powerful
spirit.
Astarte
Astarte is the woman Manfred loves
who has recently died. Astarte's spirit
appears when summoned and barely
speaks except to predict Manfred's
death.
Attempt to Die
Manfred goes to a cliff and grieves that he does not have a
solution for his sorrow over Astarte's death. The chamois
hunter walks up to the cliff and sees Manfred. He overhears
Manfred and sees that he plans to jump from the cliff so he
Herman
Herman is a loyal servant who brings
The Abbot of St. Maurice to see
Manfred.
stops Manfred.
The chamois hunter takes Manfred to his cottage to keep him
from committing suicide. The chamois hunter and Manfred talk
Nemesis
Nemesis is a powerful servant of
Arimanes who summons the spirit of
Astarte.
about Manfred's problem and the chamois hunter persuades
him to live. Manfred gives the chamois hunter gold for helping
him and then leaves.
The seven
spirits
The seven spirits represent earth,
ocean, air, night, mountains, winds,
and Manfred's star. They appear
when Manfred summons them.
The witch of the
Alps
The witch of the Alps offers to reunite
Manfred with Astarte if Manfred will
become her servant.
Attempt at Distraction
Manfred travels to a valley and summons the witch of the Alps.
She has heard of Manfred and his magic. He tells her about
Astarte. He believes that he broke Astarte's heart and that that
is why she died. Manfred wants the witch of the Alps to help
him by either waking Astarte from the dead or killing him so
k Plot Summary
Attempt to Forget: The Seven
Spirits
Manfred is a nobleman and magician living in the Alps. He
reflects on the good and evil he has done through his magic.
that he can be with Astarte. The witch of the Alps says that
she can help him if he will become her servant. Manfred
refuses the witch of the Alps's offer.
Attempt to Revive Astarte
Manfred travels to the hall of Arimanes who is an evil deity.
Manfred asks him to call the spirit of Astarte so that he can
talk to her. Arimanes gives permission and Nemesis summons
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Manfred: A Dramatic Poem Study Guide
Astarte. Manfred asks Astarte to forgive or condemn him but
she refuses to speak. Astarte finally says that Manfred will die
the next day but will not say anything else except his name and
"Farewell!"
The End
Manfred returns to his castle and makes preparations for
Astarte's prediction of his death. His servant Herman
announces the arrival of the Abbot of St. Maurice. The Abbot
of St. Maurice has heard about Manfred's past and that he has
done good and evil deeds. The Abbot of St. Maurice wants
Manfred to repent of the evil he has done. Manfred says that it
is too late for repentance and refuses to repent despite the
Abbot's pleading.
The Abbot of St. Maurice returns later that evening to try again
to persuade Manfred to repent. A spirit or demon appears
while Manfred and the Abbot of St. Maurice are talking.
Manfred tells the spirit to leave, but the spirit summons other
spirits instead. The spirits struggle with Manfred and then
leave. Manfred is pale after the struggle and dies moments
after the spirits leave.
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Plot Summary 8
Manfred: A Dramatic Poem Study Guide
Plot Summary 9
Plot Diagram
Climax
5
Rising Action
Falling Action
4
3
6
2
7
1
Resolution
Introduction
Falling Action
Introduction
6. The Abbot of St. Maurice tries to coax Manfred to repent.
1. Manfred asks the seven spirits to make him forget Astarte.
Resolution
Rising Action
7. Demons attack Manfred and he dies.
2. The chamois hunter stops Manfred from committing suicide.
3. The witch of the Alps will not help Manfred forget Astarte.
4. Nemesis summons Astarte's spirit for Manfred.
Climax
5. Astarte's spirit predicts Manfred's death.
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Manfred: A Dramatic Poem Study Guide
Plot Summary 10
Timeline of Events
Midnight
Manfred asks the seven spirits to help him forget an
unknown problem but they cannot.
Morning
Manfred plans to jump from a cliff but is rescued by the
chamois hunter.
Midmorning
The chamois hunter keeps Manfred at his cottage until
he is out of danger from suicide.
Late morning
Manfred asks the witch of the Alps for help forgetting
Astarte through distraction or death.
Late morning
The witch of the Alps offers to help Manfred if he will
become her servant but he refuses.
Evening
Arimanes's servants talk about the work they have done
for the day.
Evening
Manfred asks Arimanes to summon Astarte and he
allows Nemesis to do so.
Evening
Manfred asks Astarte for forgiveness but she only
predicts his death the next day.
The next evening
Herman escorts the Abbot of St. Maurice into Manfred's
hall.
Evening
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Manfred: A Dramatic Poem Study Guide
Plot Summary 11
The Abbot of St. Maurice tries to persuade Manfred to
repent of his sins.
Twilight
Manfred retreats to his tower.
Twilight
The Abbot of St. Maurice returns to continue trying to
get Manfred to repent.
Twilight
Demons appear and struggle with Manfred.
Twilight
The demons leave and Manfred dies.
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Manfred: A Dramatic Poem Study Guide
c Act Summaries
Act Summaries 12
concentrates on the dialogue to tell the story and lets the
reader visualize the characters and scenes in their own way.
Critics believe that the use of the audience's imagination works
well with the supernatural aspects of Manfred: A Dramatic
Act 1
Poem. Lord Byron's treatment allows the reader's mind to
imagine the seven spirits and the witch of the Alps, along with
various other spirits, to appear or disappear magically rather
Summary
than walking onto a stage.
Manfred summoning the seven spirits shows the audience that
Manfred is a nobleman and magician living in the Alps. He
he is a magician who has power over spirits. The spirits appear
reflects on the good and evil he has done through his magic.
and tell Manfred that they "are at thy beck and bidding." He has
control over them because he is powerful. The seven spirits do
Manfred uses a spell to summon the seven spirits. The seven
spirits are nature spirits of earth, ocean, air, night, mountains,
winds, and his own star. The seven spirits introduce
themselves and ask Manfred about his request. He wants
not have the power he needs. He wants to forget but the spirits
state, "It is not in our essence, in our skill; / But—thou may'st
die." The seven spirits cannot help him forget but offer an
alternative solution of death.
forgetfulness but he will not tell the seven spirits exactly what
he wants to forget. He believes the spirits can read it in his
Manfred does not tell the spirits what he wants to forge, but
thoughts. The seven spirits explain that they cannot grant his
the spirits can read his thoughts. The spirit of the star changes
request because they can only work within the elements they
into the shape of a beautiful woman. Manfred hints at what he
have power over. The seven spirits suggest that if he wants to
wants to forget when he tells the figure, "I yet might be most
truly forget he can die.
happy. I will clasp thee." The star vanishes before Manfred can
say more. Manfred goes to the cliffs and attempts to die as the
Next, Manfred asks to see the spirits in their own forms. They
seven spirits suggested, but the chamois hunter saves him.
do not have forms but the spirit of his star appears in the
shape of his recently deceased love Astarte before the spirit
vanishes.
Act 2
Then, Manfred goes to a cliff and grieves that he does not
have a solution for his sorrow over Astarte's death. The
chamois hunter walks up to the cliff and sees Manfred. He
Summary
overhears Manfred and sees that he plans to jump from the
cliff, so he stops Manfred.
The chamois hunter takes Manfred to his cottage to keep him
from committing suicide. The chamois hunter and Manfred talk
Analysis
about Manfred's problem and the chamois hunter persuades
him to live. Manfred gives the chamois hunter gold for helping
him and then leaves.
Lord Byron wrote Manfred: A Dramatic Poem as a play in three
acts. He did not intend for it to be acted out on stage. He
Then, Manfred travels to a valley and summons the witch of
instead intended for it to be recited by the actors. Lord Byron
the Alps. The witch of the Alps has heard of Manfred and his
described many of his works including Manfred: A Dramatic
magic. He tells her about Astarte. He believes that he broke
Poem as "closet dramas." He used the term "closet drama" for
Astarte's heart and that that is why she died. Manfred wants
works where the reader or audience should use their
the witch of the Alps to help him by either waking Astarte from
imagination to see the events in "the theater of the mind."
the dead or killing him so that he can be with Astarte. The
witch of the Alps says that she can help him if he will become
The treatment of Manfred: A Dramatic Poem as a closet drama
her servant. Manfred refuses the witch of the Alps's offer.
means that the poem does not have many stage directions
other than a character arriving or leaving. Lord Byron
Manfred travels to the hall of Arimanes who is an evil deity.
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Manfred: A Dramatic Poem Study Guide
Act Summaries 13
Manfred asks him to call the spirit of Astarte so that he can
dead. The witch of the Alps cannot help him. Manfred takes a
talk to her. Arimanes gives permission and Nemesis summons
last trip to the hall of Arimanes and asks Arimanes to summon
Astarte. Manfred asks Astarte to forgive or condemn him but
Astarte from the dead. He wants absolution for her death but
she refuses to speak. Astarte finally says that Manfred will die
she does not give it. Astarte does tell Manfred that he will die
the next day but will not say anything else except his name and
the next day.
"Farewell!"
Analysis
Manfred tells the chamois hunter and the witch of the Alps
about his lost love Astarte. Some other nobles in Lord Byron's
native England began a rumor that Lord Byron and his half
sister Augusta Byron Leigh (1783–1851) had an incestuous
relationship. These nobles claimed that Augusta's daughter
Elizabeth Medora Leigh (1814–49) was actually Lord Byron's
child.
Act 3
Summary
Manfred returns to his castle and makes preparations for
Astarte's prediction of his death. His servant Herman
announces the arrival of the Abbot of St. Maurice. The Abbot
of St. Maurice has heard about Manfred's past and that he has
done good and evil deeds. The Abbot of St. Maurice wants
Lord Byron's wife Annabella Milbanke Byron (1792–1860) filed
Manfred to repent of the evil he has done. Manfred says that it
for a legal separation and then divorce in 1816. This was at
is too late for repentance and refuses to repent despite the
least in part based on the rumors about his affairs but that and
Abbot's pleading.
other accusations caused a great strain on his reputation and
position in society.
The Abbot of St. Maurice returns later that evening to try again
to persuade Manfred to repent. A spirit or demon appears
Lord Byron left England in 1816 as a form of self-exile. He
while Manfred and the Abbot of St. Maurice are talking.
moved to Switzerland where he wrote Manfred: A Dramatic
Manfred tells the spirit to leave but the spirit summons other
Poem over the next few months. Many readers and critics
spirits instead. The spirits struggle with Manfred and then
speculate that Manfred: A Dramatic Poem is autobiographical
leave. Manfred is pale after the struggle and dies moments
and that Manfred's lost love Astarte is based on Lord Byron's
after the spirits leave.
sister Augusta and their forbidden love. Critics who support
this theory base it on lines such as, "I say 'tis blood–my blood!
the pure warm stream / which ran in the veins of my fathers,
and in ours / when we were in youth, and had one heart, / and
loved each other as we should not love." Critics believe the
reference to blood that ran in the veins of Manfred's fathers
means that Manfred shares a hereditary bloodline with the
woman he loves and that this is why Manfred and Astarte's
love is forbidden. Manfred also notes that he and Astarte look
alike. He states, "She was like me in lineaments—her eyes— /
Her hair—her features—all, to the very tone / Even of her voice,
they said were like to mine." Critics believe that Manfred's
references to his and Astarte's common bloodline and features
can be Lord Byron's admittance that he and his half sister
Augusta did have an affair.
Manfred tries to take the advice of the seven spirits when he
asks the witch of the Alps to kill him but the star who appears
as Astarte gives him a second idea of raising Astarte from the
Analysis
Manfred has no doubt that the spirit of Astarte was correct
when she predicted his death. He immediately begins
preparing at his castle. Manfred thinks that his guilt will be
absolved with his death. He states while he is preparing, "There
is a calm upon me— / Inexplicable stillness! which till now / Did
not belong to what I knew of life." Manfred believes that his
death is what he needs in order to forget or be at peace with
Astarte's death.
The Abbot of St. Maurice offers Manfred the Christian form of
absolution through an offer to help Manfred repent for his sins.
Manfred does not believe that repenting of sins is what he
needs because he does not feel guilt for anything he has done
except for his role in Astarte's death. Manfred is only able to
find absolution and peace through his own death in the final
scene. He tells the spirits who come to him just before his
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Manfred: A Dramatic Poem Study Guide
death that he considers himself "my own destroyer, and will be
Quotes 14
notes that something is keeping him from committing suicide.
my own hereafter." He thinks that he has destroyed himself but
that he will be at peace after he dies.
Manfred's last words are, "'Tis not so difficult to die." He is able
to banish the spirits but he is already dying when they leave.
"Stain not our pure vales with thy
guilty blood."
The Abbot of St. Maurice takes his hand and asks how he is
doing. Manfred remarks that it is easy to die. Manfred has
— The chamois hunter, Act 1
finally found absolution for his part in the death of his lover
Astarte. The editor left this line out of the first edition of the
play. Lord Byron made sure that it was included in later
The chamois hunter
editions and told the editor, "You have destroyed the whole
effect and moral of the poem, by omitting the last line of
Manfred's speaking." Lord Byron considered this the most
"I would I were—for then the things
important part of the play because it shows that Manfred is
I see would be but a distempered
finally at peace.
dream."
g Quotes
— Manfred, Act 2
"And we again will be—my heart is
Manfred talks with the chamois hunter after his suicide
crushed!"
may be mad or insane. Manfred thinks that madness would be
attempt. The chamois hunter states that he believes Manfred
preferable to his current guilt over the death of Astarte.
— Manfred, Act 1
In Scene 1 Manfred summons the seven spirits and asks them
"Canst thou be black with evil?
to make him forget. Manfred does not say yet what he wants
Say not so. Can one of gentle
to forget. He asks them to take their form near the end of the
thoughts have wreaked revenge
conversation. The seven spirits say they do not have a form but
the spirit of Manfred's star takes the form of a beautiful
upon his enemies?"
woman. Manfred recognizes her and says that he could be with
her again. The spirit vanishes and Manfred says that his heart
is crushed.
— The chamois hunter, Act 2
The chamois hunter prevents Manfred from committing suicide
"There is a power upon me which
and takes him to his cottage to recover. He discovers through
withholds, and makes it my fatality
The chamois hunter does not believe that Manfred can be a
to live."
their conversation that Manfred feels his soul is "scorched."
bad person because Manfred says that he would not wish his
own pain on others.
— Manfred, Act 1
"I know thee for a man of many
Manfred is standing on a cliff alone talking to himself. He talks
about jumping from the cliff. He debates whether he should but
thoughts, and deeds of good and
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Manfred: A Dramatic Poem Study Guide
ill."
Quotes 15
Nemesis to call Astarte from the dead. Manfred asks for her
forgiveness but she will not answer. Nemesis and Arimanes
order her to speak. Nemesis tells Manfred that they have no
— The witch of the Alps, Act 2
power over Astarte because she belongs to the forces of
good.
Manfred summons the witch of the Alps. They have never met
but the witch of the Alps has heard about Manfred. Neither she
nor Manfred describe his deeds in detail but she knows that he
"Tomorrow ends thine earthly ills."
is not opposed to doing evil deeds for his own gains.
— Astarte, Act 2
"Not with my hand, but heart,
which broke her heart."
Manfred gets help to summon his lost love Astarte from the
dead. He asks for her forgiveness but she does not answer his
questions. She speaks very little but predicts that he will die
— Manfred, Act 2
the next day. Manfred has been looking for death or another
way to forget Astarte, so this is a welcome prediction.
Manfred has mentioned his lost love Astarte before but he has
not said what happened to her. He vaguely describes her death
by saying he broke her heart. He did not actually kill her but
was somehow the cause of her death. He feels guilty for
"There is no power in holy men,
nor charm in prayer."
breaking her heart and that somehow caused her to die.
— Manfred, Act 3
"And be the slaves of those who
served me—Never!"
The Abbot of St. Maurice tries to talk to Manfred about
repentance for the evil deeds he has done. Manfred believes
that God and priests do not have any power. He refuses to
— Manfred, Act 2
listen to the Abbot of St. Maurice and lets him know that he
does not believe anyone has the power to help him.
Manfred goes to the witch of the Alps for help in forgetting his
guilt over Astarte's death. The witch of the Alps cannot directly
help him but she tells him that if he will become her servant, it
"We dare not."
may help him. Manfred refuses to become a slave to the spirits
he has commanded through his magic.
— Herman, Act 3
The Abbot of St. Maurice arrives to try to persuade Manfred to
"She is not of our order, but
belongs to the other powers."
let him help. Manfred has already gone to his tower or
sanctuary. This is Manfred's private place where he studies
and practices magic and he does not allow his servants to go
into it. Manfred's servant Herman refuses to intrude when
— Nemesis, Act 2
Manfred is in his tower, even though the Abbot of St. Maurice
orders him to let Manfred know he is there.
Manfred has tried to forget Astarte and kill himself. He still
wants to forget his guilt over her death, so he goes to the evil
god Arimanes's hall. Arimanes gives permission for his servant
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Manfred: A Dramatic Poem Study Guide
"I have commanded things of an
essence greater far than thine."
— Manfred, Act 3
Symbols 16
l Symbols
The Star
Manfred has retreated to his tower to wait for the death
Astarte's spirit predicted earlier. A spirit or demon appears and
The star shown in the background at the beginning of Manfred:
tries to take him away. Manfred refuses to go with it. He
A Dramatic Poem represents Manfred himself. The spirit of this
commands the spirit to leave and lets it know that his magic is
star shares Manfred's dislike of people including Manfred. The
more powerful than the demons.
spirit states that Manfred is a worm "whom I obey and scorn."
Manfred later states that he secluded himself from people
because he felt that he did not belong. He says that he "had no
"Away! I'll die as I have
sympathy with breathing flesh." Both Manfred and the star
lived—alone."
scorn people and do not want to be around them.
The seven spirits leave Manfred but first the spirit of the star
— Manfred, Act 3
takes the image of a beautiful woman who Manfred implies is
Astarte as the spirit disappears. Manfred says, "I will clasp
Manfred is in his tower arguing with a spirit or demon that has
come to take him to death. Manfred refuses to go because he
wants to die alone. He feels that because he has spent his life
away from others, he should die the same way. He wants
solitude for his final moments.
thee, / and we again will be / —my heart is crushed!" Manfred
states later that he and Astarte look similar and that she is the
only person who shared his common goals in magical
knowledge. The spirit of the star can read his thoughts and
knows that Manfred believes that Astarte is part of him
because of their shared beliefs about magic and because of
their love. Astarte haunts Manfred's thoughts to the point that
"'Tis not so difficult to die."
his own constant reminders of her tortures him. The spirit of
the star tortures Manfred by appearing as Astarte just as he
tortures himself with his obsession with Astarte.
— Manfred, Act 3
The editor John Murray (1778–1843) left Manfred's final line out
of the first edition of the play. Lord Byron made sure that it was
Arimanes
included in later editions and told Murray, "You have destroyed
the whole effect and moral of the poem, by omitting the last
line of Manfred's speaking." Lord Byron considered this the
Arimanes is an evil god and represents the evil deeds that
most important part of the play because it shows that Manfred
Manfred has done in his life. Manfred briefly visits Arimanes in
is finally at peace.
an attempt to speak to Astarte. Arimanes speaks only briefly
but is present for the full scene. His servants such as Nemesis
Manfred faces spirits or demons. He is able to banish them but
worship Arimanes and are willing to do anything he asks.
he is already dying when they leave. The Abbot of St. Maurice
Manfred refuses to worship Arimanes even though he may be
takes his hand and asks how he is doing. Manfred remarks that
tortured or killed if he does not. Manfred feels regret and tells
it is easy to die. Manfred has finally found absolution for his
the spirits that he has "sunk before my own despair, and knelt /
part in the death of his lover Astarte.
To my own desolation" already. He does not care if he dies for
the evil deeds he has done. Manfred explains that the only evil
deed he cares about is the death of Astarte though he does
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Manfred: A Dramatic Poem Study Guide
not seem to be directly at fault for this deed. Manfred does
Themes 17
he did not directly kill her.
claim that he has done many other evil deeds during his life.
Manfred seeks an end to his guilt throughout the play. He asks
Arimanes allows Manfred to speak to Astarte but he does not
the seven spirits to make him forget, attempts to commit
have any power over her because she is good and not in his
suicide, and asks Astarte's spirit to forgive him. The chamois
realm of evil. Astarte's spirit does not forgive Manfred as he
hunter and the Abbot of St. Maurice try to help him work
hopes.
through his guilt but they are not successful. He finally finds
relief from his guilt when he dies after the demons attack him.
Tower
Boundaries
Manfred's tower in his castle in the Alps is a symbol of
isolation. Manfred's servants recall that he has spent many
Manfred ignores boundaries throughout the play. He has
nights alone in the tower isolating himself from everyone else
become immortal through his use of magic. This destroys his
while he studies and practices magic. The only person he ever
own boundary between life and death. He lifts the boundary
allowed in the tower was Astarte. The tower reverted to his
between life and death again when he asks Nemesis to
place of solitude when she died.
summon Astarte's spirit so he can speak to her.
Manfred retreats to his tower when he believes it is time for his
Manfred: A Dramatic Poem briefly touches on the boundary
death which Astarte's phantom predicted. Manfred's servant
between good and evil. Manfred states that he has done both
Herman tells the Abbot of St. Maurice not to go to the tower
good and evil deeds but he does not feel remorse for them or
and will not lead him there because it is Manfred's private
offer justification for his past actions. The witch of the Alps has
sanctuary. Herman says that the servants "dare not" intrude
heard about Manfred's good and evil actions. She states, "I
upon Manfred in the tower. The Abbot of St. Maurice goes
know thee for a man of many thoughts, and deeds of good and
anyway and Manfred tries to get him to leave. Because the
ill, extreme in both." The Abbot of St. Maurice believes that
Abbot will not leave, he is the only witness to Manfred's death
Manfred can be redeemed and can repent of the evil he has
after the demons leave.
done but Manfred believes that it is too late to repent.
Manfred tries to overcome the boundaries of his own magic by
asking supernatural beings to help him. He is not able to erase
m Themes
memories or summon the dead, so he asks spirits such as
Arimanes and Nemesis to do that for him. Manfred still cannot
break the boundary he has created for himself between guilt
Guilt
The main theme in Manfred: A Dramatic Poem is guilt. Manfred
blames himself for Astarte's death, though he never says
and innocence even with the help of the spirits but is finally
able to cross that boundary through death.
Alienation
exactly how she died. Manfred gives the greatest detail about
Astarte's death when he tells the witch of the Alps, "Not with
my hand, but heart, which broke her heart; / It gazed on mine,
Manfred is or at least feels alienated from society. He seeks
and withered. I have shed / Blood, but not hers—and yet her
help from supernatural beings in his quest to forget his guilt
blood was shed; / I saw—and could not staunch it." Manfred
but he refuses help from the Abbot of St. Maurice. His
believes that he was the cause of Astarte's death even though
alienation appears to be self-inflicted. He chooses to spend
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Manfred: A Dramatic Poem Study Guide
time with spirits rather than humans. Manfred's servant
Herman remarks that Manfred has spent many long nights in
his tower alone.
Manfred says that, "From my youth upwards my spirit walked
not with the souls of men, nor looked upon the earth with
human eyes ... made me a stranger, though I wore the form."
He did not feel that he belonged with people. He instead spent
his time learning and practicing magic. The only person he did
not feel alienated from was Astarte. She had the same goals as
him. He feels that he is truly alone now because she died.
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Themes 18