How Does Browning Reflect the Renaissance Spirit in His Poems? 

Answer

How does Browning reflect the Renaissance temper/spirit in his poems? 

The Renaissance (1500-1660) is a period of rebirth in arts and culture. It emphasizes individualism, humanism, and a rediscovery of classical learning. Robert Browning (1812-1889) is a Victorian poet known for his dramatic monologues. He vividly captures the Renaissance spirit in his works. Browning’s poems represent this temper by focusing on personal ambition, artistic desire, and the complexities of human nature. Let’s explore how Browning reflects the Renaissance temper in his poems.

Individualism: There was a renewed focus on the individual and their experiences in the Renaissance. Browning’s “The Last Ride Together” captures this through the speaker’s personal reflections. The poem is about a man who, after being rejected by his lover, asks for one last ride together. The speaker’s reflection of his personal feelings and desires reflects Renaissance individualism:

Fail I alone, in words and deeds?

Why, all men strive and who succeeds?

This line highlights the speaker’s reflection and his acceptance of his individuality. He embraces his personal journey even in the face of failure.

Celebration of Human Potential: Browning’s “Andrea Del Sarto” focuses on the Renaissance artist Andrea del Sarto. He reflects on his unfulfilled possibility. The poem highlights the Renaissance belief in human potential and the pursuit of excellence:

Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp,

Or what’s a heaven for?

Andrea laments about his own limitations. It contrasts with the high ideals of the Renaissance. It highlights the era’s celebration of human potential and the constant striving for greatness.

Art as a Reflection of Life: In “Fra Lippo Lippi,” Browning portrays the real-life Renaissance painter Fra Lippo Lippi. He discusses his approach to art. The poem explores the Renaissance idea that art should reflect life and human experience. Lippo says,

We’re made so that we love

First when we see them painted, things we have passed

Perhaps a hundred times nor cared to see.

Lippo claims that art brings attention to the beauty of everyday life. This embodies the Renaissance belief in art as a mirror of life. This highlights the humanistic approach to art during this period.

Complex Human Relationships and Domination: “My Last Duchess” explores human relationships’ complexities and domination. The Duke’s monologue reveals his dominating nature. This reflects the darker side of Renaissance individualism. Here, personal power and pride can lead to the dehumanization of others:

I gave commands;

Then all smiles stopped together.

The Duke’s chilling admission highlights the Renaissance’s concern with power and the potential for its abuse. It shows how individualism can sometimes lead to tyranny.

Personal Experience and Emotion: In “The Last Ride Together,” Browning also emphasizes the importance of personal experience and emotional fulfillment. The poem’s protagonist finds a sense of success in the shared moment with his beloved, regardless of their past disappointments. This focus on individual emotional experience is a hallmark of Renaissance literature:

I and she

    Ride, ride together, for ever ride?

The simple act of riding together becomes a profound personal experience. It reflects the Renaissance belief in the significance of individual moments and emotions.

Intellectual Curiosity and Exploration: The Renaissance was marked by a spirit of intellectual curiosity and exploration. In “Fra Lippo Lippi,” the character’s lively discussion of his artistic philosophy reflects this:

For, don’t you mark, we’re made so that we love

First when we see them painted, things we have passed

Perhaps a hundred times nor cared to see;

Lippo’s words suggest that art has the power to reveal beauty in everyday life. Lippo’s desire to capture the truth of life in his art mirrors the Renaissance pursuit of knowledge and understanding. This emphasizes the era’s intellectual curiosity.

Browning’s portrayal of these themes and characters demonstrates his engagement with the Renaissance spirit. He celebrates human potential, artistic creativity, and the complicated nature of the human experience.