'Instans Tyrannus' by Robert Browning


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I.

Of the million or two, more or less,
I rule and possess,
One man, for some cause undefined,
Was least to my mind.

II.

I struck him, he grovelled of course---
For, what was his force?
I pinned him to earth with my weight
And persistence of hate:
And he lay, would not moan, would not curse,
As his lot might be worse.

III.

``Were the object less mean, would he stand
``At the swing of my hand!
``For obscurity helps him and blots
``The hole where he squats.''
So, I set my five wits on the stretch
To inveigle the wretch.
All in vain! Gold and jewels I threw,
Still he couched there perdue;
I tempted his blood and his flesh,
Hid in roses my mesh,
Choicest cates and the flagon's best spilth:
Still he kept to his filth.

IV.

Had he kith now or kin, were access
To his heart, did I press:
Just a son or a mother to seize!
No such booty as these.
Were it simply a friend to pursue
'Mid my million or two,
Who could pay me in person or pelf
What he owes me himself!
No: I could not but smile through my chafe:
For the fellow lay safe
As his mates do, the midge and the nit,
---Through minuteness, to wit.

V.

Then a humour more great took its place
At the thought of his face,
The droop, the low cares of the mouth,
The trouble uncouth
'Twixt the brows, all that air one is fain
To put out of its pain.
And, ``no!'' I admonished myself,
``Is one mocked by an elf,
``Is one baffled by toad or by rat?
``The gravamen's in that!
``How the lion, who crouches to suit
``His back to my foot,
``Would admire that I stand in debate!
``But the small turns the great
``If it vexes you,---that is the thing!
``Toad or rat vex the king?
``Though I waste half my realm to unearth
``Toad or rat, 'tis well worth!''

VI.

So, I soberly laid my last plan
To extinguish the man.
Round his creep-hole, with never a break
Ran my fires for his sake;
Over-head, did my thunder combine
With my underground mine:
Till I looked from my labour content
To enjoy the event.

VII.

When sudden ... how think ye, the end?
Did I say ``without friend''?
Say rather, from marge to blue marge
The whole sky grew his targe
With the sun's self for visible boss,
While an Arm ran across
Which the earth heaved beneath like a breast
Where the wretch was safe prest!
Do you see? Just my vengeance complete,
The man sprang to his feet,
Stood erect, caught at God's skirts, and prayed!
---So, _I_ was afraid!


Editor 1 Interpretation

Instans Tyrannus: A Literary Masterpiece

Introduction

Robert Browning’s “Instans Tyrannus” is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Written in 1876, this poem explores the theme of power and its abuse by those in authority. Browning uses vivid imagery, powerful language, and complex metaphors to paint a picture of a tyrant who is on the brink of losing his grip on power. This literary criticism and interpretation will examine the various literary devices used in the poem and how they contribute to its overall meaning.

Analysis

The poem begins with the tyrant King seeking reassurance from his trusted advisor, the Fool. The King is anxious about the growing discontent among his subjects and fears that his reign may be coming to an end. He asks the Fool:

“What, no help from thee?
King, wouldst rule more than one realm like the sun,
Ere, baffled by a cloud, he sinks to rest
On Vulture’s vultured rock in his red west?”

The King is portrayed as desperate, seeking validation and reassurance from his advisor. The Fool, however, is quick to remind the King of the fragility of his power, saying:

“Nay, if kings fail,
What should succeed?“

This line is significant as it highlights the central theme of the poem - the transience of power. Browning uses the imagery of the sun sinking into the horizon to convey the idea that power is fleeting, and even the most powerful rulers are brought down eventually.

The Fool goes on to offer the King some practical advice, telling him to address the grievances of his subjects before it is too late. This advice, however, falls on deaf ears, and the King continues to cling to his power, even as his kingdom crumbles around him.

Browning uses powerful language to describe the King’s desperation and paranoia. The King is described as “a grey ruin huger than the world,” highlighting the vastness of his power and the magnitude of his downfall. The use of the word “ruin” suggests that the King’s downfall is inevitable, and he is simply delaying the inevitable.

The poem takes a dark turn as the King orders his soldiers to quell the rebellion by any means necessary. The soldiers are depicted as mindless drones, blindly following the orders of their leader, and committing unspeakable atrocities in the process. Browning uses graphic imagery to describe the violence, saying:

“And the whole people plunged their faces in
A horror of great darkness, and their cry
Was as of one man dying in great pain.“

This line is particularly powerful as it conveys the horror and tragedy of the situation. The use of the word “horror” suggests that the violence is unspeakable and beyond comprehension. The line “their cry was as of one man dying in great pain” is a metaphor for the collective suffering of the people, emphasizing the sense of unity and the shared experience of injustice.

The poem ends with the King’s downfall, as he is betrayed by his own soldiers and brought to justice. The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful, as they convey a sense of closure and finality:

“And I saw,
And knew, the hearth
Of the world and the clans of it
Was broken for ever and evermore.“

These lines suggest that the King’s downfall has far-reaching consequences, and that his actions have irreparably damaged the fabric of society. The use of the phrase “broken for ever and evermore” suggests that there is no going back, and that the damage is irreversible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Robert Browning’s “Instans Tyrannus” is a powerful exploration of the theme of power and its abuse. Browning uses vivid imagery, powerful language, and complex metaphors to convey the horror and tragedy of a tyrant’s downfall. The poem highlights the transience of power, and the idea that no ruler is immune to the forces of change and rebellion. Despite being written over a century ago, the poem remains relevant today, as the world continues to grapple with issues of power, corruption, and injustice.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Robert Browning's "Poetry Instans Tyrannus" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the relationship between power and poetry. The poem is a dramatic monologue, spoken by a tyrant who has just seized power in a coup. The tyrant is addressing a poet who has been critical of his regime, and he is attempting to convince the poet that poetry should serve the interests of the state.

The poem is structured in three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the relationship between power and poetry. In the first part, the tyrant argues that poetry should serve the interests of the state. He claims that poetry has the power to inspire people and to shape their beliefs and attitudes. Therefore, he argues, poets should use their talents to promote the interests of the state and to support the regime in power.

The tyrant's argument is based on the assumption that poetry is a powerful tool for shaping public opinion. He believes that poets have a responsibility to use their talents to promote the interests of the state, and he sees no value in poetry that does not serve this purpose. This view of poetry is deeply authoritarian, and it reflects the tyrant's desire to control every aspect of society, including art and culture.

In the second part of the poem, the poet responds to the tyrant's argument. He argues that poetry should be free from political influence and that poets should be free to express their own ideas and beliefs. He claims that poetry is a form of art, and that it should be valued for its own sake, rather than for its ability to promote the interests of the state.

The poet's argument is based on the assumption that poetry is a form of art, and that it should be valued for its own sake. He believes that poetry has the power to inspire people and to shape their beliefs and attitudes, but he sees this as a secondary function of poetry. For him, the primary function of poetry is to express the poet's own ideas and beliefs, and to explore the human experience in all its complexity.

In the third part of the poem, the tyrant responds to the poet's argument. He argues that poetry cannot be separated from politics, and that poets have a responsibility to use their talents to promote the interests of the state. He claims that poetry is a form of propaganda, and that it should be used to shape public opinion in favor of the regime in power.

The tyrant's argument is based on the assumption that poetry is a form of propaganda, and that it should be used to promote the interests of the state. He sees no value in poetry that does not serve this purpose, and he believes that poets who refuse to use their talents in this way are betraying their country.

Overall, "Poetry Instans Tyrannus" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the relationship between power and poetry. The poem raises important questions about the role of art in society, and it challenges us to think critically about the ways in which art can be used to promote political agendas. Ultimately, the poem reminds us that poetry is a form of art, and that it should be valued for its own sake, rather than for its ability to promote the interests of the state.

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