by Lord Byron
Lord Byron wrote Darkness in 1816, or otherwise known as the Year without the Summer. Mount Tambora in Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia) erupted and the ashcloud cast an impermeable darkness across Europe and North America. Only few months ago Byron was divorced from his wife Anna Isabella Milbanke.
Its apocalyptic theme was not uncommon of the era, but Byron's “last man” was unique in that it lacked a subjective view. Byron used Biblical imagery of Hell and Apocalypse, in line with Romantic poets' view of themselves as prophets of impending doom.
Needless to say, Darkness is a frightening poem, with bleak imagery and an uncompromising attitude of utter despair.