Byron

When I read “Stanzas” by Lord Byron, I can only think of our current situation as a nation. After reading only the first two lines, “When a man hath no freedom to fight for at home, / Let him combat for that of his neighbors” (390; ll. 1-2) the only thing on my mind was America in Iraq. I know there are such heated feelings on this subject right now, but that is probably what Byron is getting at, because he goes on to say “Let him think of the glories of Greece and Rome, / And get knocked on the head for his labours” (390; ll. 3-4). Our intentions may be noble, like those of Greece and Rome, but it is not something everyone agrees with, so it is often something people attack; however, we knew going in that everyone would not agree, so these attacks are anticipated because of the amount of diversity in our nation. The ending emphasizes this the most. It is the most ironic little dig of the entire poem. Byron says “Then battle for freedom wherever you can, / And, if you’re not shot or hang’d, you’ll get knighted” (390; ll. 7-8). The question of course that remains at the end of the poem is will you be shot by the enemy of freedom, or your allies who are frustrated with the venture? It is a short poem but it has a very poignant message and it stands out now more than ever for America in their struggle for freedom.