Abstract

This paper aims to examine The Giaour (1813), a significant poetic work by Lord Byron, nineteenth century romantic British poet, in terms of its presentation of Oriental characters like Hassan and his wife, Leila. Byron uses references to the Oriental Islamic practices through his portrayal of Muslims’ celebration of Ramadan, call for prayer in the mosque, and allusions to the equality of women and men in the Qur’an. Byron, like other Orientalists, adopts an unfairly attitude towards the Orient. His portrait of the Oriental society as patriarchal, where the woman has no freedom at all, a prisoner, and a victim, is embodied in The Giaour’s character of Leila, Hassan’s wife. In brief, Lord Byron’s The Giaour reveals his stereotypical Orientalist’s attitude towards the Oriental society.

 

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