Poetry Analysis: Lord Byron's "All for Love"

The poem "All for Love" is Lord Byron's celebration of eternal love and ephemeral youth as compared to undying/transient fame. The title "All for Love" suggests a kind of sacrifice, attributing all intent to love. It may also forebode Lord Byron's later self-imposed exile. The speaker requests to not talk of a great name in 'story'. Note that the poet talks of story, and not 'history" Therefore, in all probability, he refers to fame in legend, and not real heroes. This tendency is evident: being a Romantic poet, he attributes significance to imagination than reality. He goes on to state that the days of the youth are the genuine days of glory. The myrtle is a trailing herb of the genus Vinca, that evergreen leaves, and is a symbol of ever-youthfulness. The poet suggests the ripe age of twenty two for the realization of love when the person is in full bloom biologically and emotionally .Though a person's laurels may abound in plenty, it cannot contest with love at this ripe phase.

The poet poses a statement in the rhetorical vein:" What are garlands and crowns to the brow that is wrinkled?" The word "garlands" signifies accolades and 'crowns' lofty positions. .Byron means to say that such honours conferred in old age are useless and just serve the purpose of labels. The poet likens it to the sprinkling of the dew of May upon a dead flower. The month of May is named after the Greek goddess Maia, who is identified with the Roman era goddess of fertility, Bona Dea, whose festival was held in May. Therefore, the poet implies that there is no use of imposing something fertile against the sterile old age. The head that is 'hoary" or graying does not deserve the recognitions, for they are like wreaths at funeral that serve as embellishments rather than lend glory.

The poet personifies Fame in the subsequent stanza, addressing it in an invocation. He uses it as a defense for himself for basking in the glory of fame previously. He maintains that if he did indulge in renown in the past, it was not for the sake of "high-sounding phrases", but to prove himself in worldly terms to his beloved who considered himself to be unworthy of her. Therefore, he goes against his own principles for the sake of love.

What he sought, chiefly and ultimately was the Lady itself. Her glance was the sunshine that created a halo of glow around her. When it sparkled over "aught" or 'at any degree', it ascribed brightness in the Story of his life. He comprehended that this sensation was truly love, and 'this' he perceived as glory.