Shelley never abandoned Mary - they were still together at the time of his death. He was surprised when Harriet Westbrook didn't want to accept a threesome with Mary in the first place, since she'd claimed to be as into such things as he was. (So Claire went in her place.) To emphasize the women's youth seems unfair to me - Shelley was only a couple of years older than they were, still a teen himself. I don't see Shelley as predatory towards women, I see him as liking sex, and yes, that's one of the things I find attractive about them. And which I relate to.
Byron was very different, and I don't defend his actions towards women (or men); I don't admire him as I do Shelley,but I find him endlessly entertaining to read about. He wasn't a bad man. He was often out of control, but hurt himself as much as others, and I forgive a lot for the charm of his poetry.
It's their personalities, not their looks, that I find attractive, for various differing reasons. Though I don't know what Villon and Rimbaud looked like. (I've seen pictures but don't remember.)
No point arguing about motives! I suspect I couldn't convince you in a million years that Shelley was a likeable man. You know how you react when people vilify Conrad, and believe they are in the right? Well, there I am with Shelley - his motives misinterpreted, ideas twisted, quotes out of context - it's easy to make someone look bad.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2007-08-04 08:48 pm (UTC)Byron was very different, and I don't defend his actions towards women (or men); I don't admire him as I do Shelley,but I find him endlessly entertaining to read about. He wasn't a bad man. He was often out of control, but hurt himself as much as others, and I forgive a lot for the charm of his poetry.
It's their personalities, not their looks, that I find attractive, for various differing reasons. Though I don't know what Villon and Rimbaud looked like. (I've seen pictures but don't remember.)
No point arguing about motives! I suspect I couldn't convince you in a million years that Shelley was a likeable man. You know how you react when people vilify Conrad, and believe they are in the right? Well, there I am with Shelley - his motives misinterpreted, ideas twisted, quotes out of context - it's easy to make someone look bad.