'Epilogue To Asolando' by Robert Browning
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At the midnight in the silence of the sleep-time,When you set your fancies free,
Will they pass to where--by death, fools think, imprisoned--
Low he lies who once so loved you, whom you loved so,--Pity me?
Oh to love so, be so loved, yet so mistaken!What had I on earth to do
With the slothful, with the mawkish, the unmanly?
Like the aimless, helpless, hopeless, did I drivel--Being--who?One who never turned his back but marched breast forward,Never doubted clouds would break,
Never dreamed, though right were worsted, wrong would triumph,
Held we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better,Sleep to wake.No, at noonday in the bustle of man's work-timeGreet the unseen with a cheer!
Bid him forward, breast and back as either should be,
"Strive and thrive!" cry, "Speed--fight on, fare everThere as here!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
Epilogue To Asolando by Robert Browning: A Masterpiece of Metaphysical Poetry
Are you a fan of dense, complex, and thought-provoking poetry? Do you love exploring the depths of human consciousness and the mysteries of existence? If yes, then you must read Robert Browning's Epilogue To Asolando, a masterpiece of metaphysical poetry that challenges our perceptions of life, death, love, and art.
In this 200-line poem, Browning reflects on his own mortality and his legacy as a poet, using a series of vivid and intricate metaphors to convey his ideas. He begins by addressing his readers directly, asking them to imagine him as an old man who has lived a full life and is now ready to depart:
At the midnight in the silence of the sleep-time,
When you set your fancies free,
Will they pass to where—by death, fools think, imprisoned—
Low he lies who once so loved you, whom you loved so,
—Pity me?
This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which oscillates between sadness, humor, irony, and philosophical insight. Browning uses the metaphor of sleep to suggest that death is not a finality but a transition to another state of being, where the imagination can roam free and the soul can reunite with its loved ones. He also challenges the common belief that death is a form of imprisonment, arguing that it is only fools who think so, because they are blinded by their fear of the unknown.
Throughout the poem, Browning employs a variety of metaphors, allusions, and rhetorical devices to convey his message, which is both personal and universal. He draws on his own experiences as a poet and a lover, but also on his knowledge of history, mythology, and philosophy. He alludes to the works of Shakespeare, Dante, and Plato, as well as to the Bible and the classics. He blends the sublime with the mundane, the serious with the playful, the abstract with the concrete. He challenges our assumptions, our prejudices, and our expectations, and invites us to rethink our values and beliefs.
One of the most striking features of Browning's poetry is his use of dramatic monologue, a technique he developed to perfection in his earlier works such as My Last Duchess and The Bishop Orders His Tomb. In Epilogue To Asolando, he uses this technique in a subtle and self-referential way, by assuming the voice of a dying poet who is addressing his readers as if they were his friends and confidants. This persona is not Browning himself, but a fictional character who embodies his ideas and emotions. By doing so, Browning creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy that draws us into his world and makes us feel as if we were witnessing a private conversation.
Another remarkable aspect of Browning's poetry is his mastery of form and rhythm. In Epilogue To Asolando, he uses a varied and intricate rhyme scheme (ababccdedefefghghijklkl) that enhances the musicality and the meaning of his words. He also employs enjambment, alliteration, assonance, and other sound devices to create a rich and complex texture of language. His lines are often long and convoluted, but they flow smoothly and naturally, like a stream of consciousness. He uses punctuation sparingly, relying on the syntax and the cadence of his lines to convey his ideas.
Perhaps the most profound theme of Epilogue To Asolando is the idea that art can transcend death and immortalize the human spirit. Browning suggests that the true legacy of a poet is not his physical body or his fame, but his words, his ideas, and his emotions, which can inspire and console future generations. He compares himself to a painter who creates a masterpiece that outlasts him:
One who never turned his back but marched breast forward,
Never doubted clouds would break,
Never dreamed, though right were worsted, wrong would triumph,
Sleep to wake.
These lines express Browning's faith in the power and the beauty of his art, which he believes will endure beyond his mortal life. He also acknowledges the limitations and the challenges of his craft, but he remains optimistic and courageous, facing death with dignity and grace. He invites his readers to share his vision and to appreciate the value of poetry as a form of human expression.
In conclusion, Epilogue To Asolando is a magnificent example of Robert Browning's genius as a poet and a thinker. It showcases his ability to fuse form and content, style and substance, emotion and intellect, in a way that few poets have achieved. It challenges us to think deeply and critically about our own lives and our own mortality, while also offering us comfort and inspiration. It is a true masterpiece of metaphysical poetry, and a testament to the enduring power of art.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Epilogue To Asolando: A Masterpiece of Robert Browning
Robert Browning, one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, is known for his dramatic monologues and his ability to capture the essence of human nature in his works. Among his many works, the Epilogue to Asolando stands out as a masterpiece that showcases his poetic genius.
Asolando, Browning's final volume of poetry, was published in 1889, just a few months before his death. The Epilogue, which serves as the final poem in the collection, is a reflection on life, death, and the afterlife. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in the Epilogue, and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.
Themes
The Epilogue to Asolando is a meditation on the nature of life and death, and the possibility of an afterlife. Browning explores the idea that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new state of being. He suggests that the soul continues to exist after death, and that it may even be reunited with loved ones who have passed on before.
The poem also touches on the theme of legacy, and the idea that our actions in life can have a lasting impact on the world. Browning suggests that even after we are gone, our influence can continue to be felt, and that our memory can live on through the people we have touched.
Structure
The Epilogue to Asolando is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. This allows Browning to experiment with different rhythms and cadences, and to create a sense of spontaneity and improvisation.
The poem is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct tone and theme. The first section is a reflection on the transience of life, and the inevitability of death. Browning uses vivid imagery to convey the fleeting nature of existence, and the sense of loss that comes with the passing of time.
The second section is a more hopeful meditation on the possibility of an afterlife. Browning suggests that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new state of being. He imagines a world beyond death, where the soul can be reunited with loved ones who have passed on before.
The final section is a reflection on the legacy that we leave behind. Browning suggests that even after we are gone, our influence can continue to be felt, and that our memory can live on through the people we have touched. He encourages his readers to live their lives with purpose and meaning, and to strive to make a positive impact on the world.
Literary Devices
Browning employs a variety of literary devices in the Epilogue to Asolando, including imagery, metaphor, and allusion. One of the most striking examples of imagery in the poem is the description of life as a "flickering flame". This image conveys the sense of transience and impermanence that is central to the poem's themes.
Browning also uses metaphor to explore the idea of death as a transition to a new state of being. He compares death to a "door" that leads to a new world beyond. This metaphor suggests that death is not an end, but rather a beginning, and that there may be a new and better life waiting on the other side.
Finally, Browning makes use of allusion to draw on the rich cultural and literary traditions that came before him. He references the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, as well as the Christian idea of the afterlife. These allusions add depth and complexity to the poem, and help to situate it within a broader cultural context.
Conclusion
The Epilogue to Asolando is a masterful work of poetry that showcases Robert Browning's poetic genius. Through its exploration of themes such as life, death, and the afterlife, the poem offers a profound meditation on the human condition. Its use of literary devices such as imagery, metaphor, and allusion adds depth and complexity to the work, and helps to situate it within a broader cultural context. Overall, the Epilogue to Asolando is a fitting conclusion to Browning's illustrious career, and a testament to his enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets of the Victorian era.
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