Caïn (Byron)

Caïn is a dramatic work of Byron written in 1821. It was published in 1822 with two others: The Two Foscari and Sardanapulus . It is an attempt to recreate the history of Abel and Caïn, by adopting the point of view of the latter. Work with the form of a Play, but was not written in the intention to be represented on scene.

Characters

Adam

Eve

Cain , their oldest son

Abel , their second wire

Adah , woman and sister of Caïn

Zillah , woman and sister of Abel

Lucifer

the Angel

Summary

The part starts on the refusal of Caïn to take part with its family in the prayer of thanks in God, who drove out his parents of the Eden and made them vulnerable to Death. Terrified by this one, that no one does not know yet and that he imagines under an human form, Caïn convenes it and awaits it. Lucifer comes and takes it along with him (Act II) towards the pits of time and space, showing him the past of the Earth and the disappeared species, and how much death is universal. Disturbed by this vision, Caïn returns on Earth (Act III). The murder of Abel consequently becomes the symbol of a revolt against the eternal destruction of God, by the voluntary destruction of one of its creatures.

Influences

The principal influence of Byron is the Paradise Lost of Milton. The figure of Satan, which at the time romantic is perceived by it like the true hero, undoubtedly inspired that of Caïn at Byron. From its time, Byron retained the theory of the violent geological catasptrophes which shook the Earth in its deep past, such as it could have been depicted by Cuvier.

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