'Now !' by Robert Browning


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Out of your whole life give but a moment!
All of your life that has gone before,
All to come after it, -- so you ignore,
So you make perfect the present, condense,
In a rapture of rage, for perfection's endowment,
Thought and feeling and soul and sense,
Merged in a moment which gives me at last
You around me for once, you beneath me, above me --
Me, sure that, despite of time future, time past,
This tick of life-time's one moment you love me!
How long such suspension may linger? Ah, Sweet,
The moment eternal -- just that and no more --
When ecstasy's utmost we clutch at the core,
While cheeks burn, arms open, eyes shut, and lips meet!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Now!: A Closer Look at Robert Browning's Classic Work

As a literary critic and interpreter, it's exciting to delve into the world of poetry, especially that of Robert Browning. His work, Poetry, Now!, published in 1889, is a classic masterpiece that speaks to the human experience in a way that is both universal and timeless.

Background on Robert Browning

Before diving into the interpretation of the work, it's important to understand who Robert Browning was and how his life experiences shaped his writing. Browning was a prolific English poet and playwright who lived from 1812 to 1889. He is known for his dramatic monologues, which explore the psyche of his characters and provide a glimpse into the human condition.

Browning's work is often characterized by his use of language, his ability to capture the nuances of human emotion, and his unique narrative style. He was a contemporary of other great Victorian writers such as Charles Dickens and Alfred Lord Tennyson.

Exploring Poetry, Now!

Poetry, Now! is a collection of Browning's poetry that spans his entire career. The collection is divided into four sections, each of which explores a different aspect of human experience. The first section, "Youth and Love," focuses on the themes of love and passion. The second section, "Despair and Sorrow," explores themes of loss and grief. The third section, "Faith and Doubt," delves into questions of religion and spirituality. The final section, "Art and Nature," explores the relationship between the natural world and human creativity.

As a whole, the collection offers a comprehensive look at Browning's poetic style and thematic concerns. His use of language is striking, with each poem containing a unique rhythm and tone that captures the essence of its subject matter.

Interpretation of Themes

One of the most striking features of Poetry, Now! is the way it explores themes that are relevant to the human experience across time and culture. Browning's work delves into questions of love, loss, spirituality, and creativity in a way that is both profound and relatable.

Love and Passion

The first section of the collection, "Youth and Love," explores themes of love and passion. Browning's use of language is particularly striking in these poems, as he captures the intensity and depth of human emotion.

In "Meeting at Night," Browning describes a clandestine meeting between two lovers. The poem is structured in two parts, with the first half describing the journey to the meeting place and the second half focusing on the actual meeting itself. The language is rich and sensual, with the imagery of the sea and the sand adding to the romantic atmosphere.

Similarly, "Parting at Morning" explores the pain of separation between two lovers. The poem is structured in the same way as "Meeting at Night," with the first half describing the morning and the second half focusing on the parting. Browning's use of language is particularly effective in this poem, as he captures the bittersweet nature of parting.

Loss and Grief

The second section of the collection, "Despair and Sorrow," explores themes of loss and grief. Browning's use of language in these poems is particularly poignant, as he captures the raw emotions that come with loss.

In "Prospice," Browning describes his own experience of grief after the death of his wife, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The poem is structured in two parts, with the first half describing the physical experience of grief and the second half focusing on the spiritual journey towards acceptance. The language is powerful, with the imagery of the storm and the ship adding to the sense of turmoil.

Similarly, "The Last Ride Together" explores the pain of unrequited love. The poem is structured in two parts, with the first half describing the lover's desperate plea to be with his beloved and the second half focusing on their acceptance of the inevitable. Browning's use of language is particularly effective in this poem, as he captures the sense of resignation and acceptance that comes with unrequited love.

Faith and Doubt

The third section of the collection, "Faith and Doubt," delves into questions of religion and spirituality. Browning's use of language in these poems is particularly striking, as he explores complex philosophical questions in a way that is both accessible and profound.

In "Rabbi Ben Ezra," Browning explores the themes of aging and acceptance through the lens of Jewish philosophy. The poem is structured in four parts, with each part exploring a different stage of life. The language is rich and poetic, with the imagery of the wine and the cup adding to the sense of wisdom and acceptance.

Similarly, "Caliban upon Setebos" explores the themes of religion and human nature through the lens of Shakespeare's character, Caliban. The poem is structured in three parts, with each part exploring a different aspect of Caliban's relationship with his god, Setebos. Browning's use of language is particularly effective in this poem, as he captures the sense of confusion and doubt that comes with questioning one's faith.

Art and Nature

The final section of the collection, "Art and Nature," explores the relationship between the natural world and human creativity. Browning's use of language in these poems is particularly evocative, as he captures the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

In "Home-Thoughts, from Abroad," Browning describes the beauty of the English countryside from the perspective of someone who is far away. The language is rich and evocative, with the imagery of the birds and the flowers adding to the sense of nostalgia and longing.

Similarly, "Saul" explores the themes of creativity and inspiration through the story of King Saul from the Old Testament. The poem is structured in three parts, with each part exploring a different aspect of Saul's relationship with his god and his creativity. Browning's use of language is particularly effective in this poem, as he captures the sense of awe and wonder that comes with creativity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poetry, Now! is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that explores the themes of love, loss, spirituality, and creativity in a way that is both universal and timeless. Robert Browning's use of language is particularly striking, as he captures the nuances of human emotion and thought in a way that is both profound and relatable.

As a literary critic and interpreter, it's exciting to delve into the world of Robert Browning's poetry and explore the complex themes and ideas that he presents in his work. Poetry, Now! is a testament to the power of language and the enduring nature of human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Now! by Robert Browning: A Masterpiece of Victorian Poetry

Poetry Now! is a collection of poems written by Robert Browning, one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era. The collection was first published in 1889, a year after Browning's death, and it contains some of his most famous works, including "My Last Duchess," "Porphyria's Lover," and "The Bishop Orders His Tomb at Saint Praxed's Church."

Browning's poetry is known for its dramatic monologues, which are characterized by a speaker who reveals his or her innermost thoughts and feelings to the reader. The speaker is often unreliable, and the reader must interpret the poem to understand the true meaning behind the words. This technique is used to great effect in Poetry Now!, where Browning explores themes of love, jealousy, power, and death.

One of the most famous poems in the collection is "My Last Duchess," which tells the story of a Duke who is showing a portrait of his late wife to a visitor. The Duke reveals that he had his wife killed because he was jealous of her attention to other men. The poem is a chilling exploration of the destructive power of jealousy and the abuse of power.

Another famous poem in the collection is "Porphyria's Lover," which tells the story of a man who strangles his lover with her own hair. The poem is a disturbing exploration of the darker side of love and the lengths to which people will go to possess the object of their desire.

"The Bishop Orders His Tomb at Saint Praxed's Church" is another notable poem in the collection. The poem is a satirical exploration of the vanity and greed of the Catholic Church. The Bishop is depicted as a corrupt and self-serving figure who is more concerned with his own legacy than with the spiritual well-being of his flock.

Browning's use of dramatic monologue is particularly effective in these poems, as it allows the reader to see the world through the eyes of the speaker. The reader is able to understand the motivations and desires of the speaker, even if they are not sympathetic. This technique creates a sense of intimacy between the reader and the speaker, which makes the poems all the more powerful.

In addition to his use of dramatic monologue, Browning is also known for his use of language. His poetry is characterized by its complex syntax, rich imagery, and use of allusion. Browning's language is often difficult to decipher, but it rewards careful reading and analysis.

For example, in "My Last Duchess," the Duke's use of language reveals his arrogance and sense of entitlement. He refers to his wife as "my object" and "my gift," and he is offended by her attention to other men. The language in the poem is carefully crafted to reveal the Duke's character and motivations.

Similarly, in "Porphyria's Lover," the speaker's use of language reveals his obsession with his lover. He describes her as "perfectly pure and good," and he is willing to kill her in order to possess her. The language in the poem is carefully crafted to reveal the speaker's twisted logic and his descent into madness.

Overall, Poetry Now! is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry. Browning's use of dramatic monologue and language creates a sense of intimacy between the reader and the speaker, which makes the poems all the more powerful. The collection explores themes of love, jealousy, power, and death, and it is a testament to Browning's skill as a poet that these themes are still relevant today. If you are a fan of Victorian poetry, or if you are interested in exploring the darker side of human nature, then Poetry Now! is a must-read.

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