SOURCE: Melchiori, Giorgio. “The Dramas of Byron.” In The Romantic Theatre: An International Symposium, edited by Richard Allen Cave, pp. 47-60. Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, England: Colin Smythe Limited, 1986.

In the following essay, which was originally delivered as a lecture in 1985, Melchiori discusses Byron's dramatic development as well as his approach to drama in general.

When I accepted some time ago to give this talk I was relying on the fact that in the '60s I had been so fascinated by Byron's dramatic productions that I made them the subject of a course in the University of Turin. I have now looked up my notes after so many years and I find to my dismay that I am in deep disagreement with them. Not that the charm of those plays has waned; what has changed completely is my approach to drama, not only Byron's but also in respect...