What is the main point of Don Juan?

Don Juan is the work of British poet Byron. It is an unfinished long narrative poem with more than 16, lines and 16 songs. It is Byron's last and best poem. Based on Don Juan's travels and several love adventures, it shows a broad picture of European society and involves many phenomena in human life. It is a large-scale satirical masterpiece with rich ideological content and unique artistic style.

Don Juan was originally a goat and villain in Spanish folklore in the 14th century, and he often reappeared in the works of western writers, such as Moliere's prose play Don Juan and Pushkin's tragedy The Stone Man. Byron remolded Don Juan on the background of European history in the late 18th century and early 19th century.

The hero of the long poem with the same name is an innocent, enthusiastic and kind young aristocrat, who seldom has Harold's melancholy and loneliness, Manfred's cynicism, and Cain's all-powerful rebellion. His personality characteristics have deepened and complicated with various adventures. He obeys human nature, ignores rules and regulations, and rarely pretends; He also lacks firm belief, and often cannot stand the temptation because of his weak will. He grew up in the church, under his mother's knee and in front of the teacher's desk. Just as his mother boasted about "how serious, calm and steady her young philosopher has become", he was seduced by Julia, a neighbor lady, and fell in love. The ideas cultivated by traditional aristocratic education were shattered by people's desire for love. Don Juan is always in love with his lover, but he is often in danger and forced to separate. His affair with his neighbor's lady was exposed and he was forced to travel far from the country. He was killed at sea, rescued by the pirate's daughter, and fell in love with him, but was sold to the slave market by greedy pirates and separated from his lover again. Don Juan is not timid, but can show heroism at a critical moment. When he was in distress at sea and saw people threatened by hunger draw lots to decide which person to eat first, he would rather die than do this barbaric act; He was bought from the slave market to the court of the Sultan of Turkey. Faced with the aggressive and shameless courtship of the Sultan, he was self-possessed, pretended to be a snake, and finally fled with his companions. On the battlefield, he risked his life to save an orphan; Knock down the strongman alone on the English barren road ... Don Juan likes women and has an affair; He is cynical and can quickly adapt to all kinds of unexpected situations. He joined the Russian army that was invading Turkey, went to the court of the Queen of Russia "because of his merits", became the new favorite of Her Majesty with peace of mind, and later went to Britain as a Russian special envoy. When the long poem suddenly stopped, he was still addicted to the "big world" in London.

Don Juan is a complex character. He is different from other writers' Don Juan and greatly surpasses the folk legend, but his lewdness and cynicism are similar to the prototype. In Byron's eyes, Don Juan is an ordinary aristocratic youth, and his absurdity is only the natural expression of human nature. It can be seen that he is a popular figure. The complexity of his personality reflects the diversity of life and the complexity of morality in the real world. Objectively speaking, Byron didn't create Don Juan for the purpose of creating typical characters. The description of Don Juan's activities in long poems is often the source and origin of the author's great discussion. Byron said in a letter to the publisher: "I intend to let him travel around Europe and ask him to experience all kinds of besieged cities, wars and adventures;" Finally, ask him to take part in the French revolution. ..... I want to write him in Italy as a cavalry who loves to flatter women, in Britain as the chief culprit who provoked divorce, and in Germany as a sentimental youth like Victor; The purpose of Byron's Don Juan is to satirize the "ridiculous aspects of various countries' societies" in the late 18th century and the early 19th century when the hero really lived, and to reflect the poet's thoughts on democracy and freedom that criticized all reactionary forces.

First of all, through the hero's adventure footprint, it describes the Greek islands dominated by pirates, the slave market, the Turkish Sultan's harem, the Russian court and the British upper class, and depicts the majestic queen, the arrogant queen, the flattering courtiers, the arrogant and overbearing generals, the corrupt princes and nobles ... They are half authoritative and half lewd, creating countless human tragedies: nations are enslaved and invaded, and bloody massacres are carried out on the battlefield. The poet revealed the tyranny of feudal autocracy and the hypocrisy of social morality, condemned the aggression and atrocities of "holy alliance" and expressed his abhorrence of the autocratic system.

Secondly, it exposes and satirizes all aspects of English society that the poet is most familiar with. The British Empire intimidated the world with its abundant capital slaughter and acted as an international gendarmerie to suppress revolution and stifle freedom. The government oppresses and exploits the people, politicians lie, and invisible literati defect. Noble men and women have empty hearts and indulge in debauchery. Men drink, gamble and go whoring, while women flirt and flirt. Couple strange bedfellows, a 23-year-old aristocratic young woman, seduced a 16-year-old boy behind her 5-year-old absurd husband. Byron exposed the British bourgeoisie and its money rule with bitter irony and ruthlessness, comparing Britain to a zoo full of fierce birds and beasts, and calling London "the living room of the devil". In his works, the morality of money worship poisons the society and corrodes the soul. Everyone values money above everything else: you can "take your life and your wife, but never take anyone's purse".

Thirdly, long poems are full of love for just things, sympathy for those who have lost their freedom and a call to fight for the oppressed. Byron was very sympathetic to the oppressed and enslaved nations and people. He enthusiastically inspired the Greek people to fight, and even called on the stubborn stone to rise up against the tyrants in the world. He is convinced that the future world is a free world: the people will be free, and all thrones and monarchs will surely become a terrible and incomprehensible thing for future generations.

There are many philosophical thoughts in Don Juan, such as "contemplating the impermanence of the world", exploring the mystery of "life and death", and studying the eternity of time, the shortness of life and the unpredictability of fate. The poet "doubts whether doubt is itself a doubt" and regards "life is a game", thus revealing negative emotions such as nihilism, extreme hedonism, pessimism and despair.

Long poems borrow characters from foreign folklore to comment on the reality of Britain and even Europe, criticize the tyranny of suppressing personal freedom, and express the desire for justice and freedom. They are worthy of the fine works of the spirit of the times, and their authors are worthy of the title of singers of the times. Don Juan is a masterpiece of romanticism, and its strong subjective lyricism and rich romantic color constitute the most prominent artistic features. Byron's distinct passion for love and hate appears in the beautiful and slightly sad lines of long poems, which are everywhere and run through the whole article. The protagonist's adventures and ups and downs of fate make dramatic scenes in long poems emerge one after another. The sea, island, inland, beautiful women, robbers, princesses and queens, bizarre stories and exotic sentiments show readers a colorful romantic picture. The author's just lyrical and romantic picture are integrated into an organic whole, which makes the long poem show irresistible charm.

narration and discussion are another important feature of Don Juan. Byron often seems to be unable to restrain himself. In his narrative, he always talks to his hero and readers, or comments on state affairs and figures, or recalls reverie, or admires the magic of nature. The poet's comments satirize current events and have strong realistic elements; Lyrical comments are mostly romantic feelings, straightforward, wonderful and touching.

The language style of the poems is varied and extremely varied, and the angry exposure, pungent banter, sharp debate, witty ridicule, passionate lyricism and philosophical meditation are just right. Byron's language is clear and concise. He uses a large number of spoken words, but they are white but not vulgar, playful but not vulgar. The whole poem is like a gripping and soul-stirring symphony.