While the literary duo of Mary Shelley and Percy Bysshe Shelley is often talked about, the Victorian-era power couple of Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning is equally deserving of recognition. Through their unwavering love for each other, they not only fueled their writing careers but also left behind a legacy of poetry and love letters. In this article, we will delve into the life and works of Robert Browning, the master of dramatic monologues.
Robert Browning was born in 1812 in Camberwell, London, to middle-class parents. His upbringing was heavily influenced by his father, a bank clerk with a deep passion for art, who, unfortunately, could not pursue his passion due to financial constraints. However, he imparted his love for knowledge to his son through his extensive personal library of over 6,000 books, which included myths, legends, and unique information that would later inspire Browning's poems.
Browning's father's support allowed him to focus solely on poetry, and in 1832, he wrote his first poem, "Pauline: A Fragment of a Confession." Although it was published anonymously the following year, it received criticism for its emotional and personal nature. This led Browning to shift to a more objective writing style, and he began experimenting with verse drama. However, he did not find success in the world of theatre.
In 1841, Browning published some of his most renowned works in a series of eight pamphlets titled "Bells and Pomegranates." These were financially supported by his family, as were most of his early publications.
In 1845, Robert Browning met the talented poet Elizabeth Barrett, who was six years his senior. They quickly fell in love, and for the next 20 months, their courtship remained a secret as they exchanged 575 love letters. Their love story began when Elizabeth praised Browning's work in her own collection of poems, comparing him to esteemed poets of the time like William Wordsworth and Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
Browning was greatly impressed by her words and responded by saying, "I love your verses with all my heart … and I love you, too." Finally, in the summer of 1845, they met and were married in secrecy in September 1846. A week later, they fled to Italy, as Elizabeth's overprotective father would not have approved of the marriage.
Due to financial struggles, the couple often moved around in Italy. However, the warmer climate proved beneficial for Elizabeth's health, and in 1849, they welcomed a son. Browning took on most of the household responsibilities, freeing his wife to focus on her writing, as she suffered from a spinal injury. His own education, largely influenced by his father, inspired him to educate their son at home.
Through his poems, Robert Browning immortalized his love for Elizabeth, and their marriage served as a true testament to their commitment to each other and their writing careers, despite the challenges they faced.
One of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's most celebrated works, Sonnets from the Portuguese (1850), was a collection of love poems she had written for Robert Browning during their courtship. In return, Browning expressed his love for her through his poem "One Word More," published in his collection Men and Women (1855).
After Elizabeth's death in 1861, Browning returned to London with their son and focused on preparing her final collection of poetry, Last Poems (1862), for publication. In 1868-69, he composed his masterpiece, The Ring and the Book, based on a real-life murder trial in Rome that took place in the late 17th century. Browning continued writing until his death in 1889, after falling ill in Venice. He was laid to rest in Westminster Abbey.
Notable Works by Robert Browning
Browning is primarily known for his poetry, but he also explored playwriting. He is recognized as the pioneer of the dramatic monologue, which greatly influenced poets like W.B. Yeats, Ezra Pound, and T.S. Eliot. Some of his most acclaimed works in this style include "My Last Duchess" (1842) and "Porphyria's Lover" (1836), as well as longer works like The Ring and the Book (1868-69), all of which are discussed in detail below.
Robert Browning, a renowned Victorian poet, was known for his exceptional use of dramatic monologues to shed light on the inner workings of his characters. Similar to theatrical monologues, the speaker in a dramatic monologue addresses an imagined audience, providing insight into their temperament, feelings, and character. However, the distinguishing feature is that the poet takes on the persona of a character to narrate the story from their perspective. Browning was a master at creating psychological portraits, using the voice of his characters to reveal their motivations, emotions, and actions.
One of Browning's most famous works, "My Last Duchess" (1842), is a prime example of his prowess in crafting a dramatic monologue. The poem tells the story of a powerful duke who narrates the tale of his former duchess, whom he had killed for seemingly disrespecting his status. Through his words, the duke reveals his controlling nature and obsession with power, as well as his deep insecurity and fear of losing control. He keeps a portrait of his late wife behind a curtain in his private art collection, showcasing her beauty to his guests as a means of boasting his dominance. The poem ends with the duke discussing his upcoming marriage to the daughter of a count, eagerly anticipating her dowry. Through this monologue, Browning provides a psychological glimpse into the mind of a man who would go to extreme lengths to maintain his power and status.
Browning's verse novel, The Ring and the Book (1868-69), is a masterpiece comprised of 12 books, each written in the form of a dramatic monologue by a different character. The story is based on a real-life murder trial that took place in 1698 in Rome. A count was accused of murdering his young wife and her parents, who disapproved of their marriage. The victim, Pompilia, was trapped in an unhappy and abusive marriage and sought the help of a priest to escape. However, her husband accused her of infidelity and orchestrated her and her parents' assassination. Through the various monologues, Browning explores themes of justice, religion, and the subjugation of women, highlighting the injustices faced by Pompilia.
"Porphyria's Lover" (1836) is yet another example of Browning's mastery of dramatic monologues. The poem is narrated by an unnamed speaker who lives with a woman, Porphyria, in the countryside. During a storm, Porphyria arrives and starts a fire, leading to a passionate physical encounter between the two. The speaker, who is living with Porphyria out of wedlock, realizes that she has gone against societal norms to be with him and "worships" him. However, fearing that she may change her mind and leave him, the speaker strangles her with her own hair, preserving her beauty and their moment forever. Through this chilling monologue, Browning delves into the twisted mind of a man who would rather kill his lover than let her go.
Aside from the individual themes explored in his poems, Browning's works also shed light on the societal norms and inequalities of his time. He often portrayed death as a form of punishment and a way for those in power to assert their dominance. Furthermore, his female characters often faced death more frequently than their male counterparts, highlighting the oppression and unequal treatment of women in Victorian society. Browning's poetry provides a thought-provoking commentary on the human condition and the flaws of society, making it relevant even today.
Robert Browning's use of dramatic monologues revolutionized the world of poetry and continues to inspire generations of poets. Through this literary form, he could skillfully dive into the psyche of his characters, providing readers with a deeper understanding of their emotions and motivations. His famous works such as "My Last Duchess" and The Ring and the Book continue to enthrall readers with their psychological depth and poetic brilliance. Browning's legacy of exploring complex themes and challenging societal norms through his poetry lives on, making him an important figure in the world of literature.
The works of Robert Browning (1812-1889) often delve into the dark and complex aspects of human nature, particularly in regards to power dynamics and the subjugation of women. His poems, such as "My Last Duchess" and "Porphyria's Lover", showcase extreme examples of these themes, with women being murdered by their male counterparts as a means of punishment and control.
Moreover, Browning's writing also delves into the intricate relationship between beauty, art, and power. In "My Last Duchess", the protagonist collects beautiful art as a way to assert his dominance and authority. However, when his wife challenges his power, he eliminates her and transforms her into a mere object of beauty that he can possess. This mirrors the beliefs of the Renaissance era, which greatly influenced Browning, where art was viewed as a source of power to be obtained and controlled.
