This paper discusses romantic literature as it pertains to Lord Byron and his life. Generally, European poetry from the Romantic period is characterized by the following poetic features: a belief in the innate goodness of human nature; individualism; a reverence for nature and primitivism; philosophical idealism; a (somewhat paradoxical) preference for free thought and religious mysticism; rebellious with political authority and social customs (and note the class bias, of course); a celebration of physical, sensual passions; the active cultivation of emotion, and sensitivity, as values in-themselves. Romantics tended to believe that to be human meant being an emotional, sensitive, and rational person. 11 pgs. 24 f/c. 8b.