Roderick, the last of the Goths : $b A tragic poem

"Roderick, the Last of the Goths: A Tragic Poem" by Robert Southey is an early 1800s poem that tells the sad tale of Roderick, the final Visigoth king, at a time when Moors were invading Spain. Expect topics concerning disloyalty, grief, and making amends, as Roderick deals with what he has done. The poem starts with Roderick trying to understand the fallout from the betrayal that brought down his kingdom, mainly from Count Julian wanting revenge. You can feel Roderick's inner struggle as he thinks about the wrong things he's done and how his land has been destroyed. The start of the poem sets the stage for a study of guilt through Roderick's talks with a monk named Romano, who tries to guide him spiritually. Feeling sorry for what you've done and wanting to be forgiven are ideas that appear throughout, hinting at Roderick's emotional and moral growth as he faces troubles and looks for a way to be forgiven and made whole again.