'The Laboratory' by Robert Browning
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ANCIEN REGIME
I
Now that I, tying thy glass mask tightly,
May gaze through these faint smokes curling whitely,
As thou pliest thy trade in this devil's-smithy—
Which is the poison to poison her, prithee?
II
He is with her; and they know that I know
Where they are, what they do: they believe my tears flow
While they laugh, laugh at me, at me fled to the drear
Empty church, to pray God in, for them!—I am here.
III
Grind away, moisten and mash up thy paste,
Pound at thy powder,—I am not in haste!
Better sit thus, and observe thy strange things,
Than go where men wait me and dance at the King's.
IV
That in the mortar—you call it a gum?
Ah, the brave tree whence such gold oozings come!
And yonder soft phial, the exquisite blue,
Sure to taste sweetly,—is that poison too?
V
Had I but all of them, thee and thy treasures,
What a wild crowd of invisible pleasures!
To carry pure death in an earring, a casket,
A signet, a fan-mount, a filigree-basket!
VI
Soon, at the King's, a mere lozenge to give,
And Pauline should have just thirty minutes to live!
But to light a pastille, and Elise, with her head,
And her breast, and her arms, and her hands, should drop dead!
VII
Quick—is it finished? The colour's too grim!
Why not soft like the phial's, enticing and dim?
Let it brighten her drink, let her turn it and stir,
And try it and taste, ere she fix and prefer!
VIII
What a drop! She's not little, no minion like me—
That's why she ensnared him: this never will free
The soul from those strong, great eyes,—say, "No!"
To that pulse's magnificent come-and-go.
IX
For only last night, as they whispered, I brought
My own eyes to bear on her so, that I thought
Could I keep them one-half minute fixed, she would fall,
Shrivelled; she fell not; yet this does it all!
X
Not that I bid you spare her the pain!
Let death be felt and the proof remain;
Brand, burn up, bite into its grace—
He is sure to remember her dying face!
XI
Is it done? Take my mask off! Nay, be not morose,
It kills her, and this prevents seeing it close:
The delicate droplet, my whole fortune's fee—
If it hurts her, beside, can it ever hurt me?
XII
Now, take all my jewels, gorge gold to your fill,
You may kiss me, old man, on my mouth if you will!
But brush this dust off me, lest horror it brings
Ere I know it—next moment I dance at the King's!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Laboratory by Robert Browning - A Poem of Passion, Revenge and Madness
I recently sat down with a copy of Robert Browning's poem, The Laboratory, and was immediately drawn into its dark and twisted world of passion, revenge and madness. This poem, written in 1844, is a dramatic monologue that tells the story of a woman who is consumed by jealousy and seeks revenge against her rival. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, imagery and language of The Laboratory, and provide my own analysis of this classic poem.
Themes
One of the most striking aspects of The Laboratory is the intensity of the emotions it portrays. The poem is filled with passion, jealousy, revenge and madness, and these themes are explored in depth throughout the monologue. The speaker, who is never named, is a woman who is driven to the brink of insanity by her jealousy of her rival. She wants to see this woman dead, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.
The theme of revenge is also central to The Laboratory. The speaker is consumed by a desire for revenge, and she is willing to use any means necessary to get it. She is like a mad scientist in her laboratory, concocting poisons and potions to use against her rival. This theme of revenge is particularly interesting in light of the fact that the speaker is a woman. In the Victorian era, women were often seen as passive and submissive, and were not supposed to be interested in violence or revenge. Browning's decision to make the speaker a woman adds an extra layer of complexity to the poem.
Another theme that runs throughout The Laboratory is the idea of madness. The speaker is clearly not in her right mind, and her obsession with revenge has driven her to the point of insanity. The language of the poem is filled with images of madness and irrationality, such as when the speaker describes herself as "maddened" and "wild". The poem is also full of contradictions and inconsistencies, reflecting the speaker's fractured state of mind.
Imagery
The imagery of The Laboratory is both beautiful and disturbing. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of the laboratory, with its burnished copper vessels and bubbling cauldrons. The speaker's descriptions of the poisons she is concocting are particularly striking, with their references to exotic plants and deadly substances. The imagery is sensual and seductive, drawing the reader in and making them feel complicit in the speaker's plot.
At the same time, the imagery of The Laboratory is also deeply disturbing. The speaker's descriptions of her rival's death are gruesome and graphic, with references to the woman's "black blood" and "froth corrupted" lips. The poem is a reminder of the darker aspects of human nature, and the lengths to which people will go to satisfy their desires.
Language
The language of The Laboratory is both beautiful and complex. Browning uses a range of poetic techniques to create a sense of rhythm and flow, and the poem is filled with rich imagery and vivid descriptions. At the same time, the language is also full of irony and contradiction, reflecting the speaker's fractured state of mind.
One of the most striking aspects of the language in The Laboratory is the use of repetition. The poem is full of repeated words and phrases, such as "What's the last sight that I shall see?", which creates a sense of obsession and madness. The repeated use of the word "laugh" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker is almost enjoying her own madness and the prospect of revenge.
Browning also uses a range of poetic techniques to create a sense of drama and tension. The use of enjambment, where one line of poetry runs into the next, creates a sense of urgency and haste. The use of caesura, where a line is interrupted by a pause, creates a sense of suspense and anticipation.
Analysis
So, what can we make of The Laboratory? At its heart, this poem is a study of human nature, and the darker aspects of the human psyche. The speaker is consumed by jealousy and revenge, and is willing to use any means necessary to satisfy her desires. At the same time, she is also a victim, driven to madness by her own obsessions.
One of the most interesting aspects of The Laboratory is the way in which it challenges traditional gender roles. The speaker is a woman, but she is not a passive or submissive one. Instead, she is a powerful and dangerous figure, capable of inflicting harm on others. This subversion of traditional gender roles is significant, as it suggests that women are not always the innocent victims that they are often portrayed as in Victorian literature.
Another interesting aspect of The Laboratory is the way in which it uses imagery to create a sense of seduction and danger. The language of the poem is sensual and seductive, drawing the reader in and making them feel complicit in the speaker's plot. At the same time, the imagery is also deeply disturbing, with its references to death and decay.
Finally, The Laboratory is a reminder of the power of language and poetry. Browning uses a range of poetic techniques to create a sense of drama and tension, and the language of the poem is both beautiful and complex. The poem is a testament to the power of language to explore the human condition, and to capture the complexity of human emotions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Laboratory is a powerful and disturbing poem that explores the themes of passion, revenge and madness. Browning's use of imagery and language creates a sense of seduction and danger, drawing the reader into the speaker's twisted world. The poem challenges traditional gender roles, and is a reminder of the darker aspects of human nature. Overall, The Laboratory is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry, and a testament to the power of language to explore the human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Laboratory by Robert Browning is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a dramatic monologue that tells the story of a woman who is seeking revenge on her unfaithful lover. The poem is set in a laboratory where the woman is creating a poison that she plans to use to kill her lover's mistress. The poem is a powerful exploration of the themes of jealousy, revenge, and the destructive power of love.
The poem is written in the first person, with the woman speaking directly to the reader. The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABB, with the last line of each stanza rhyming with the first line of the next stanza. This creates a sense of continuity and flow throughout the poem.
The poem begins with the woman describing the laboratory where she is working. She describes the various chemicals and instruments that she is using to create her poison. She speaks with excitement and enthusiasm about her work, describing it as a "sport" and a "pastime". This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of dark excitement and anticipation.
As the poem progresses, the woman begins to reveal more about her motives for creating the poison. She speaks of her lover's infidelity, describing him as a "fool" and a "knave". She is consumed with jealousy and anger, and she sees the poison as a way to get revenge on her lover and his mistress.
The woman's obsession with revenge is a central theme of the poem. She speaks of the pleasure that she will feel when her lover's mistress dies, describing it as a "delicious" and "exquisite" sensation. She is completely consumed by her desire for revenge, and she sees the poison as a way to achieve it.
The poem is also a powerful exploration of the destructive power of love. The woman's love for her lover has turned into an all-consuming obsession that has driven her to the brink of madness. She is willing to do anything to get revenge on her lover and his mistress, even if it means killing them both.
The poem is filled with vivid imagery that helps to bring the laboratory to life. Browning uses a range of sensory details to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. He describes the various chemicals and instruments in the laboratory in great detail, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation. The poem is also filled with references to color, with the woman describing the various chemicals as "ruby" and "purple" and "green".
The poem is also notable for its use of language. Browning uses a range of poetic techniques to create a sense of rhythm and flow. He uses alliteration and assonance to create a sense of musicality, and he uses repetition to create a sense of emphasis. The poem is also filled with powerful metaphors and similes, such as when the woman describes the poison as a "pearl" and a "ruby".
In conclusion, The Laboratory by Robert Browning is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of jealousy, revenge, and the destructive power of love. The poem is notable for its vivid imagery, its use of language, and its exploration of the darker aspects of human nature. It is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today, and it is a testament to Browning's skill as a poet.
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