'Up At A Villa--- Down In The City' by Robert Browning
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(AS DISTINGUISHED BY AN ITALIAN PERSON OF QUALITY.)
I.
Had I but plenty of money, money enough and to spare,
The house for me, no doubt, were a house in the city-square;
Ah, such a life, such a life, as one leads at the window there!
II.
Something to see, by Bacchus, something to hear, at least!
There, the whole day long, one's life is a perfect feast;
While up at a villa one lives, I maintain it, no more than a beast.
III.
Well now, look at our villa! stuck like the horn of a bull
Just on a mountain-edge as bare as the creature's skull,
Save a mere shag of a bush with hardly a leaf to pull!
---I scratch my own, sometimes, to see if the hair's turned wool.
IV.
But the city, oh the city---the square with the houses! Why?
They are stone-faced, white as a curd, there's something to take the eye!
Houses in four straight lines, not a single front awry;
You watch who crosses and gossips, who saunters, who hurries by;
Green blinds, as a matter of course, to draw when the sun gets high;
And the shops with fanciful signs which are painted properly.
V.
What of a villa? Though winter be over in March by rights,
'Tis May perhaps ere the snow shall have withered well off the heights:
You've the brown ploughed land before, where the oxen steam and wheeze,
And the hills over-smoked behind by the faint grey olive-trees.
VI.
Is it better in May, I ask you? You've summer all at once;
In a day he leaps complete with a few strong April suns.
'Mid the sharp short emerald wheat, scarce risen three fingers well,
The wild tulip, at end of its tube, blows out its great red bell
Like a thin clear bubble of blood, for the children to pick and sell.
VII.
Is it ever hot in the square? There's a fountain to spout and splash!
In the shade it sings and springs; in the shine such foam-bows flash
On the horses with curling fish-tails, that prance and paddle and pash
Round the lady atop in her conch---fifty gazers do not abash,
Though all that she wears is some weeds round her waist in a sort of sash.
VIII.
All the year at the villa, nothing to see though you linger,
Except yon cypress that points like a death's lean lifted forefinger.
Some think fireflies pretty, when they mix i' the corn and mingle,
Or thrid the stinking hemp till the stalks of it seem a-tingle.
Late August or early September, the stunning cicala is shrill,
And the bees keep their tiresome whine round the resinous firs on the hill.
Enough of the seasons,---I spare you the months of the fever and chill.
IX.
Ere you open your eyes in the city, the blessed church-bells begin:
No sooner the bells leave off than the diligence rattles in:
You get the pick of the news, and it costs you never a pin.
By-and-by there's the travelling doctor gives pills, lets blood, draws teeth;
Or the Pulcinello-trumpet breaks up the market beneath.
At the post-office such a scene-picture---the new play, piping hot!
And a notice how, only this morning, three liberal thieves were shot.
Above it, behold the Archbishop's most fatherly of rebukes,
And beneath, with his crown and his lion, some little new law of the Duke's!
Or a sonnet with flowery marge, to the Reverend Don So-and-so
Who is Dante, Boccaccio, Petrarca, Saint Jerome and Cicero,
``And moreover,'' (the sonnet goes rhyming,) ``the skirts of Saint Paul has reached,
``Having preached us those six Lent-lectures more unctuous than ever he preached.''
Noon strikes,---here sweeps the procession! our Lady borne smiling and smart
With a pink gauze gown all spangles, and seven swords stuck in her heart!
_Bang-whang-whang_ goes the drum, _tootle-to-tootle_ the fife;
No keeping one's haunches still: it's the greatest pleasure in life.
X.
But bless you, it's dear---it's dear! fowls, wine, at double the rate.
They have clapped a new tax upon salt, and what oil pays passing the gate
It's a horror to think of. And so, the villa for me, not the city!
Beggars can scarcely be choosers: but still---ah, the pity, the pity!
Look, two and two go the priests, then the monks with cowls and sandals,
And the penitents dressed in white shirts, a-holding the yellow candles;
One' he carries a flag up straight, and another a cross with handles,
And the Duke's guard brings up the rear, for the better prevention of scandals:
_Bang-whang-whang_ goes the drum, _tootle-te-tootle_ the fife.
Oh, a day in the city-square, there is no such pleasure in life!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Up At A Villa--- Down In The City by Robert Browning: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Wow! What a poem! Robert Browning's Up At A Villa--- Down In The City is a masterpiece of poetry. With its vivid imagery, subtle use of language, and profound themes, this poem captures the essence of human experience and explores the complex relationship between nature and civilization. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the poem's structure, language, and themes, and show how Browning creates a powerful work of art that continues to resonate with readers today.
Analysis of the Poem's Structure
First, let's take a look at the poem's structure. Up At A Villa--- Down In The City is a dramatic monologue, which means that it is a poem spoken by a single person who reveals their inner thoughts and feelings. The speaker in this poem is an unnamed person who is addressing an interlocutor, possibly a friend or a lover. The poem is divided into two sections: the first section, which deals with the speaker's experience at the villa, and the second section, which deals with their experience in the city.
The first section of the poem is characterized by a relaxed and peaceful tone. The speaker describes the beauty of the villa and the surrounding landscape in a series of vivid images that create a sense of idyllic tranquility. The language in this section is rich and evocative, with long, flowing sentences that capture the beauty of nature. The second section of the poem, by contrast, is much more frenetic and chaotic. The speaker describes the noise, dirt, and chaos of the city and contrasts it with the peace and beauty of the villa. The language in this section is much more abrupt and fragmented, with short, staccato sentences that create a sense of urgency and agitation.
Browning's use of structure is masterful in this poem. By contrasting the two sections of the poem, he creates a powerful juxtaposition between nature and civilization, and he suggests that there is something inherently corrupting about the city. The structure of the poem also mirrors the speaker's emotional journey, as they move from a state of peace and contentment to one of turmoil and anxiety.
Analysis of the Poem's Language
Now let's turn to the language in Up At A Villa--- Down In The City. One of the most striking features of this poem is Browning's use of imagery. Throughout the poem, the speaker uses vivid and evocative images to describe their surroundings and their emotional state. For example, in the first section of the poem, the speaker describes the landscape as "a cascade of blossom" and "a sea-shell's delicate cheek." These images create a sense of beauty and delicacy, and they suggest that the speaker is in a state of harmony with nature.
In the second section of the poem, the speaker's language becomes much more abrasive and aggressive. They describe the city as "a boiling, noisy pit" and "a raving, roaring den." These images create a sense of chaos and confusion, and they suggest that the speaker is overwhelmed by the city's noise and activity.
Browning's use of language is particularly effective in the second section of the poem, where he creates a sense of disorientation and fragmentation through the use of short, staccato sentences. For example, the speaker says:
"And if they asked me what I said, I'd say I saw it, did not say it, Heard it, did not speak it--spoke not, Wrote it--would not touch them now."
These lines create a sense of urgency and agitation, and they suggest that the speaker is struggling to express themselves in the chaos of the city.
Analysis of the Poem's Themes
Finally, let's turn to the themes in Up At A Villa--- Down In The City. One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the contrast between nature and civilization. Throughout the poem, the speaker contrasts the beauty and tranquility of the villa with the noise and chaos of the city. This contrast suggests that there is something inherently corrupting about civilization, and that nature is a purer and more authentic expression of human experience.
Another theme in the poem is the relationship between truth and language. The speaker suggests that there are some experiences that are beyond words, and that language is an inadequate tool for expressing the fullness of human experience. This theme is particularly evident in the second section of the poem, where the speaker struggles to articulate their feelings in the chaos of the city.
A third theme in the poem is the tension between individual experience and social norms. The speaker suggests that there is a tension between their individual experience of the world and the expectations and demands of society. This tension is evident in the second section of the poem, where the speaker feels overwhelmed by the noise and activity of the city.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Browning's Up At A Villa--- Down In The City is a masterful work of poetry that explores the complex relationship between nature and civilization. Through his use of structure, language, and themes, Browning creates a powerful work of art that captures the essence of human experience. This poem continues to resonate with readers today, and it stands as a testament to Browning's skill as a poet. So if you haven't read this poem before, go check it out! You won't be disappointed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Up At A Villa--- Down In The City: An Analysis of Robert Browning's Classic Poem
Robert Browning's "Poetry Up At A Villa--- Down In The City" is a classic poem that explores the contrast between the peacefulness of the countryside and the chaos of the city. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first part describing the idyllic setting of a villa in the countryside, and the second part depicting the hustle and bustle of the city. Through the use of vivid imagery, Browning creates a stark contrast between the two settings, highlighting the beauty of nature and the ugliness of urban life.
The poem begins with a description of the villa, which is situated on a hill overlooking the countryside. Browning uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the idyllic setting, describing the "olive-trees on the slope" and the "roses, first of their race." The villa is depicted as a peaceful haven, where the speaker can escape from the noise and chaos of the city. The speaker describes the "quiet and cool" of the villa, and the "scent of the flowering trees." The use of sensory imagery creates a vivid picture of the tranquil setting, and the reader can almost feel the cool breeze and smell the fragrant flowers.
In contrast to the peacefulness of the villa, the second part of the poem describes the chaos of the city. The speaker describes the "crowd and the clamour" of the city, and the "smoke and the steam." The city is depicted as a place of noise and pollution, where the beauty of nature is replaced by the ugliness of urban life. The speaker contrasts the "roses" of the villa with the "smoke" of the city, highlighting the stark contrast between the two settings.
Browning uses a variety of poetic techniques to convey the contrast between the villa and the city. One of the most effective techniques is the use of imagery. The vivid descriptions of the villa and the countryside create a sense of peace and tranquillity, while the descriptions of the city create a sense of chaos and confusion. The use of sensory imagery, such as the scent of the flowers and the sound of the crowd, helps to create a vivid picture of the two settings.
Another technique that Browning uses is the use of repetition. The phrase "up at a villa--down in the city" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of contrast between the two settings. The repetition also helps to reinforce the idea that the villa is a place of peace and tranquillity, while the city is a place of chaos and confusion.
Browning also uses irony to convey his message. The speaker describes the villa as a place of "quiet and cool," but the reader knows that the tranquillity of the villa is only temporary. The speaker must eventually return to the city, where the noise and chaos will once again overwhelm him. The irony of the situation highlights the contrast between the two settings, and reinforces the idea that the beauty of nature is fleeting.
The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition. The contrast between the villa and the city can be seen as a metaphor for the contrast between the ideal and the real. The villa represents the ideal, a place of peace and tranquillity, while the city represents the real, a place of noise and chaos. The speaker longs for the ideal, but is forced to confront the reality of the city.
In conclusion, Robert Browning's "Poetry Up At A Villa--- Down In The City" is a classic poem that explores the contrast between the peacefulness of the countryside and the chaos of the city. Through the use of vivid imagery, repetition, and irony, Browning creates a stark contrast between the two settings, highlighting the beauty of nature and the ugliness of urban life. The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition, and the contrast between the ideal and the real. Overall, "Poetry Up At A Villa--- Down In The City" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
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