Lord Byron is egotistical because he asserts his feeling of self-importance in the poem; specifically, he acknowledges that he is a wretch because his limbs were not as good as Leander’s, yet he managed to complete his swimming feat. Instead of sympathizing with Leander’s fate, Lord Byron focuses on proving that he is more accomplished than Leander.
Indeed, Lord Byron thinks that he is wiser than Leander because he swam at a time when the weather was warm whereas Leander swam in December when the weather was favorable. He thinks that he made the best decision with regard to the time for swimming that is why he realized his accomplishment at the end of the feat.
Lord Byron is scornful because he thinks that it was not wise of Leander to swim for the sake of love. According to Lord Bryon, it is better for one to swim for Glory than Love. Lord Byron demonstrates that he did not believe in the Leander and Hero’s love. Lord Byron compares himself to Leander with the aim of asserting he is better than Leander in swimming.
It is ironical that despite the fact that Lord Byron was a wretch, he had some physical deformities, he managed to complete his feat entirely. Conversely, Leander who believed that he could brave the storm at Hellespont did not make it to the end.
