Byron and Ballanche's Historical Theodicy

In 1823 Ballanche, reviewing Byron's Cain, condemned Byron's rejection of Providence and the expiatory efficacy of suffering. In 1834 Ballanche celebrated Byron the Christian hero. Byron's death at Missolonghi and the principles of Ballanche's own historical theodicy explain this reversal. According to Ballanche, humanity providentially overcomes the consequences of the Fall through progress by expiatory suffering. Progress is socio-political as well as moral. Liberty for Europe is one aspect of the rehabilitation of humanity. Bryon's death for Greece assists this rehabilitation and so expiates the impiety of his poetry. Ballanche confirms, through the works and life of Byron himself, the very dogma of good out of evil rejected in Byron's poetry. (AHMcC)