Written after Swimming from Sestos to Abydos Themes

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Narcissism

Lord Byron is proud because he accomplished his objective of swimming. Despite the fact that Lord Byron was not physically endowed like Leander, he managed to achieve his goal of swimming. Lord Byron feels that he is better than Leander because Leander died in the course of swimming whereas he made it to the end of the feat.

Mortality

Leander’s death develops the theme of mortality. Even though he is a mythic figure, he dies just like the other human beings die. Additionally, Lord Byron explains that he pities all the mortals because the gods’ plagues that befall them.

Love

Leander’s unconditional love for Hero motivated him to brave the wintry weather so that he could see Hero.He swam for long miles to be with Hero. The violent tempest could not dissuade him from swimming through Hellespont. The love he had for Hero transcended the unfriendly weather. He dies in the process of going to see his love.

Swimming

On the surface level, this poem is about swimming. Both Leander and Lord Byron swam through Hellespont even though their goals were distinct.

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