'Love Among The Ruins' by Robert Browning
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I.
Where the quiet-coloured end of evening smiles,
Miles and miles
On the solitary pastures where our sheep
Half-asleep
Tinkle homeward thro' the twilight, stray or stop
As they crop---
Was the site once of a city great and gay,
(So they say)
Of our country's very capital, its prince
Ages since
Held his court in, gathered councils, wielding far
Peace or war.
II.
Now,---the country does not even boast a tree,
As you see,
To distinguish slopes of verdure, certain rills
From the hills
Intersect and give a name to, (else they run
Into one)
Where the domed and daring palace shot itsspires
Up like fires
O'er the hundred-gated circuit of a wall
Bounding all,
Made of marble, men might march on nor bepressed,
Twelve abreast.
III.
And such plenty and perfection, see, of grass
Never was!
Such a carpet as, this summer-time, o'erspreads
And embeds
Every vestige of the city, guessed alone,
Stock or stone---
Where a multitude of men breathed joy and woe
Long ago;
Lust of glory pricked their hearts up, dread of shame
Struck them tame;
And that glory and that shame alike, the gold
Bought and sold.
IV.
Now,---the single little turret that remains
On the plains,
By the caper overrooted, by the gourd
Overscored,
While the patching houseleek's head of blossom winks
Through the chinks---
Marks the basement whence a tower in ancient time
Sprang sublime,
And a burning ring, all round, the chariots traced
As they raced,
And the monarch and his minions and hisdames
Viewed the games.
V.
And I know, while thus the quiet-coloured eve
Smiles to leave
To their folding, all our many-tinkling fleece
In such peace,
And the slopes and rills in undistinguished grey
Melt away---
That a girl with eager eyes and yellow hair
Waits me there
In the turret whence the charioteers caught soul
For the goal,
When the king looked, where she looks now, breathless, dumb
Till I come.
VI.
But he looked upon the city, every side,
Far and wide,
All the mountains topped with temples, all the glades'
Colonnades,
All the causeys, bridges, aqueducts,---and then,
All the men!
When I do come, she will speak not, she will stand,
Either hand
On my shoulder, give her eyes the first embrace
Of my face,
Ere we rush, ere we extinguish sight andspeech
Each on each.
VII.
In one year they sent a million fighters forth
South and North,
And they built their gods a brazen pillar high
As the sky,
Yet reserved a thousand chariots in full force---
Gold, of course.
Oh heart! oh blood that freezes, blood that burns!
Earth's returns
For whole centuries of folly, noise and sin!
Shut them in,
With their triumphs and their glories and the rest!
Love is best.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Love Among The Ruins by Robert Browning: A Deep Dive into Poetry
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel as if you had uncovered a treasure chest of emotions, ideas, and imagery? Love Among The Ruins by Robert Browning is one such poem that captures the essence of love and the passing of time amidst a backdrop of ruins. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, structure, language, and symbolism of this classic poem, and how it connects to Browning's life and Victorian era.
The Theme of Love in Ruins
When we think of ruins, we often associate them with decay, desolation, and the remnants of the past. However, in Love Among The Ruins, Browning presents a different perspective where love endures despite the ruins of time. The poem begins with the speaker describing the ruins of a once grand estate, now reduced to rubble and moss. Yet, amidst this desolate terrain, the speaker sees a woman who embodies love and beauty.
"Where the quiet-colored end of evening smiles, Miles and miles On the solitary pastures where our sheep Half-asleep Tinkle homeward thro' the twilight, stray'd Thro' the meadows, hand in hand, Where the lovers went and came In the seasons of the sweet silent sun, The twilight-eyed beloved ones Who love to be together, and who know That the moon is a fairy show When two hearts are met in the pale moonlight."
In these lines, we see the contrast between the ruins of the past and the enduring beauty of love. The speaker notes that despite the passing of time, love remains constant and eternal. The image of two lovers walking hand in hand through the ruins reinforces this idea, as they are able to find joy and comfort amidst the desolation.
Browning's portrayal of love in ruins also speaks to the Victorian era's fascination with the past and the idea of "romantic ruin." Many Victorians were drawn to the ruins of ancient Rome and Greece and saw them as symbols of the grandeur and glory of the past. Browning takes this fascination and transforms it into a metaphor for love, showing how even in the ruins of time, love can still be a source of beauty and inspiration.
Structure and Language
Love Among The Ruins is a dramatic monologue, a form of poetry popularized by Browning in which a single speaker addresses a silent audience. The poem is divided into eight stanzas of varying lengths, with the speaker describing the ruins, the woman he sees, and their love. The poem's structure is asymmetrical, with the first three stanzas focused on the ruins, the next three on the woman, and the final two on their love.
Browning's use of language in Love Among The Ruins is striking, with vivid imagery and sensory details that transport the reader to the ruins. For example, the speaker describes the "mossed and antique" walls and the "ivy for embrasure" that has grown over them. The language is also rich with metaphors and symbolism, such as the comparison of the woman to a rose, a lily, and a star.
One of the most powerful aspects of Browning's language is the contrast between the ruins and the woman. While the ruins are bleak and lifeless, the woman is described as "young and warm and tender," with "soulful eyes" and a "sunny smile." This contrast emphasizes the beauty and vitality of love, even amidst the ruins of time.
Symbolism
Love Among The Ruins is full of symbolism, both in the description of the ruins and in the portrayal of the woman. The ruins themselves are symbolic of the passing of time and the transience of human existence. They also represent the idea of "romantic ruin" popular in the Victorian era, as discussed earlier.
The woman in the poem is also symbolic, representing the enduring power of love. She is described as a "rose" and a "lily," both flowers that are often associated with love and beauty. Her "soulful eyes" and "sunny smile" suggest a depth of emotion and warmth that transcends the ruins around her.
Another interesting symbol in the poem is the "moon," which is described as a "fairy show" for lovers. The moon is often associated with love and romance, and in this context, it serves as a symbol of the enduring power of love, even in the face of time and decay.
Browning's Life and Victorian Context
To fully appreciate Love Among The Ruins, it's important to consider Browning's life and the Victorian context in which he wrote. Browning was part of the Romantic movement, which celebrated emotion, individualism, and the beauty of nature. It's clear that Love Among The Ruins reflects these Romantic ideals, particularly in its emphasis on the enduring power of love and the beauty of the natural world.
At the same time, Love Among The Ruins speaks to the Victorian fascination with the past and the idea of "romantic ruin." Victorians were enamored with the ruins of ancient Rome and Greece, and saw them as symbols of the grandeur and glory of the past. Browning takes this fascination and transforms it into a metaphor for love and the enduring power of human emotion.
Conclusion
Love Among The Ruins is a beautiful and poignant poem that speaks to the enduring power of love amidst the ruins of time. Browning's use of vivid imagery, powerful language, and symbolism creates a rich and evocative portrait of love and the transience of human existence. With its blend of Romantic and Victorian ideals, Love Among The Ruins is a timeless work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Love Among The Ruins: A Masterpiece of Robert Browning
Robert Browning, one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, is known for his dramatic monologues that explore the complexities of human nature. His poem, Love Among The Ruins, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of love and its enduring power in the face of destruction and decay. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and literary devices used in the poem to understand its significance and relevance even today.
The poem is set in a post-apocalyptic world where the narrator describes the ruins of a once-great city. The opening lines set the tone for the poem, "Where the quiet-coloured end of evening smiles, / Miles and miles / On the solitary pastures where our sheep / Half-asleep / Tinkle homeward through the twilight, stray or stop / As they crop -" The imagery of the "quiet-coloured end of evening" and the "solitary pastures" creates a sense of desolation and loneliness. The sheep returning home in the twilight symbolize the end of a day, and the end of an era.
The narrator then introduces the central theme of the poem, love, "Love, first and last." The use of the word "first" suggests that love is the beginning of everything, and the word "last" implies that it is the only thing that endures. The narrator then describes a scene where he meets his lover in the ruins of the city, "Then, the lovers - ah, the lovers / They are scarce now, or scarce beyond recall; / And the lonely mountains o'er and the resounding shore / A voice of weeping heard and loud lament." The use of the word "scarce" suggests that love is rare in this world, and the mountains and shore weep for the loss of love.
The poem then shifts to a flashback where the narrator describes the city in its prime, "Where the palace stood up, blackening the sky / Where the citadel's brow / Like a crown on the crest of a crag, / With brass-embossed, beat the breathless blue / - Look up, life is change." The imagery of the palace blackening the sky and the citadel's brow like a crown creates a sense of grandeur and power. However, the narrator reminds us that life is change, and nothing lasts forever.
The poem then returns to the present, where the narrator and his lover are together in the ruins, "Come then, find / Your flower and mine / Your flower - the rose / Mine - the dew-besprinkled vine!" The use of the word "find" suggests that love is something that needs to be discovered and nurtured. The narrator and his lover find their flowers, symbolizing their love, in the midst of the ruins.
The poem ends with the narrator reflecting on the power of love, "But see, the rising moon of Heaven again / Looks for us, Sweetheart, through the boughs of yon tall pine. / What do we see? / - All that we saw sighted years ago, / The hill-top, the kine, / And the white road winding down below." The rising moon symbolizes hope and new beginnings. The narrator and his lover look back on their memories, but they also look forward to a future where love can still thrive.
The structure of the poem is significant in conveying its themes. The poem is written in six stanzas, each with six lines. The use of the six-line stanza creates a sense of symmetry and balance, which reflects the idea of love as a harmonious force. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, which creates a sense of musicality and rhythm. The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase continues from one line to the next, creates a sense of fluidity and movement. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "scarce," emphasizes the rarity of love in this world.
The poem also uses various literary devices to convey its themes. The use of imagery, such as the imagery of the palace blackening the sky, creates a sense of grandeur and power. The use of symbolism, such as the rising moon symbolizing hope and new beginnings, adds depth and meaning to the poem. The use of alliteration, such as "brass-embossed, beat the breathless blue," creates a sense of musicality and rhythm. The use of personification, such as the mountains and shore weeping for the loss of love, adds a sense of emotion and empathy to the poem.
In conclusion, Love Among The Ruins is a masterpiece of Robert Browning that captures the enduring power of love in the face of destruction and decay. The poem's themes of love, change, and hope are still relevant today, and its structure and literary devices make it a timeless work of art. As the narrator reminds us, "Look up, life is change," but love is the one thing that endures.
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