John Forster:

“Evidences of a New Genius for Dramatic Poetry”

Summary:

                John Forster’s critical essay “ Evidences of a New Genius for Dramatic Poetry” starts with what Forster considers “surprising” praise. Forster claims that although Browning has not yet been regarded as one of the greats he will in time be known for the genius of his dramatic poetry. Browning has the ability to intrigue and inspire his readers. Forster sees Browning as philosophical and capable of invoking “interesting trains of thought” but also still dramatic. Browning can pull a reader into a scene, spark their imagination letting them interact with the characters and the environment. Overall, Forster regards Browning as an underappreciated genius whose work is both philosophical and dramatic.

Analysis:

                Forester spoke of Browning’s work as philosophical and dramatic. Having been introduced to Browning as a writer of dramatic monologue I can understand Forester when he describes Browning’s work as dramatic. However, I had not yet thought of Browning’s work as philosophical. Recalling the works that I have read I found it interesting that Browning’s work did lead me into some philosophical thought. I was unaware until I read Forester’s essay of how Browning left me thinking after I finished one of his pieces.

William Morris:

“Browning’s Alleged carelessness”

Summary:

                William Morris’s critical essay “Browning’s Alleged Carelessness” drives much the same point as Forster and that is that Browning is underappreciated. Morris believes so strongly that the popular opinion of Browning is wrong that he starts his essay by telling the reader he struggled to write due to his anger.  Popular opinion of Browning Morris states is that his work is careless and obscure. Morris disagrees and claims that by no means is Browning’s poetry obscure to the point that it cannot be understood. Browning’s works that do contain obscurity only cause the reader to think and are not the cause of any misunderstanding. Morris feels strongly that the popular opinion of Browning’s work has been poorly formed. He believes that the justifications of dislike for Browning are such that can be applied to poets accepted in popular opinion.  According to Morris Browning is one of the greats.

Analysis:

                I am studying Mechanical Engineering and spend much of my studies reading text books and data reports and many other documents that are far from Victorian poetry. So when I read Browning’s work things seem obscure at first because they are not in the manner or language I am accustomed to reading. However, like Morris states his work is certainly not obscure to the point that it cannot be understood by a few readings.  I agree with Morris that the obscurity of Browning’s work is there to cause the reader further thought and that is its purpose.

Robert W. Buchanan:

[The Ring and the Book]

Summary:

                Robert Buchanan’s critical essay [The Ring and the Book] admires the spiritual teachings that Browning worked into his piece “The Ring and the Book.” Buchanan claims like Forster and Morris that Browning must no longer be dismissed by critics as a poet whose work is difficult to comprehend. “The Ring and the book” is easily understood as Buchanan states that “a child’s brain might grasp the general features of the picture.” However Buchanan believes that this piece is difficult to read for its full meaning which is purely spiritual. We must look over Browning as a modern educated man and see him for his love of nature and spirituality. Buchanan claims that Shakespeare is the only poet that is given praise for spiritual qualities and that Browning must also be awarded this praise. The spirituality of Browning’s work Buchanan says can “heighten the soul’s stature in the finest moments of life itself.”

Anaylsis:

       Not having read “The Ring and the Book” I cannot say anything of its spiritual power but I have read other works of Browning’s and I do believe they could have that spirituality. I have no religious affiliation and spirituality can often seem foreign to me but Browning’s work as I’ve said in my other analysis’ leaves me thinking. The train of thought I am left with has been thoughts of spirituality and what it might mean. So I may not be able to relate directly with the overwhelming feeling of spirituality that Buchanan speaks of I can see how Browning’s work might effect a more spiritual person that way.