Lord Byron's Poems Lesson Plan

On what does Byron found his satirical treatment of Robert Southey? What accusations and jokes does he make at Southey's expense?

One of the primary accusations Byron launches at Southey in the Dedication of Don Juan is that he has been politically unfaithful in defecting to the Tory party. Byron, as a staunch Whig and anti-monarchist, generally disdains conservative political figures, but seems to feel particular vitriol for Southey, who is both, in his eyes, a political traitor and a mediocre poet. The critique of Southey's style is particularly acute in The Vision of Judgement.

In addition to lampooning the sanctimonious tone of Southey's A Vision of Judgement, Byron,...