Don Juan Family Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Canto.Stanza)

Quote #1

But if there's anything in which I shine,
'T is in arranging all my friends' affairs,
Not having, of my own, domestic cares (1.23)

Byron basically admits that he loves to meddle in other people's affairs because he's single and has no family to keep him busy. It's hard to tell whether he's being funny here, or just sad.

Quote #2

A little curly-headed, good-for-nothing,
And mischief-making monkey from his birth;
His parents ne'er agreed except in doting
Upon the most unquiet imp on earth (1.25)

Byron criticizes Don Juan's parents for showering too much affection and luxury on him. But the truth is that Byron probably got just as much preferential treatment in his own upbringing, since he was born into the English aristocracy. Maybe he's asking people not to make the same mistakes his parents did.

Quote #3

She kept a journal, where [her husband's] faults were noted (1.28)

Instead of striving for better communication with her husband, Donna Inez keeps a diary of all her husband's flaws. You can't really get more passive aggressive than that.