Tennyson and Browning

 

1.Justify Tennyson as the representative literary figure of the Victorian Era.

Alfred Lord Tennyson was the voice of the Victorian Era because his poetry shows the key concerns, values, and struggles of the Victorian period. This period-1837 to 1901-witnessed widespread changes, from rapid industrialization to scientific discoveries and social reforms and religious doubts. This caught between holding on to the old traditional beliefs and the new realities of the modern world was something that the works of Tennyson could represent very well-that sense of conflict, hope, and uncertainty.

One of his most famous poems, "In Memoriam A.H.H.", is written after the death of his closest friend, Arthur Hallam. The poem revolves around issues of grief, loss, and searching for faith in a changing world. This poem reflects Tennyson's struggle to reconcile his personal sorrow with the larger questions of life, death, and God. This parallels the Victorian fight between religious belief and the emergent scientific thinking, particularly after Charles Darwin's theory of evolution challenged traditional views. Tennyson concludes the poem by giving his readers hope and belief in the immortality of the soul, giving them comfort since they, too, had been suffering from doubt.

Another major poem, "Ulysses", describes the legendary hero Ulysses, or Odysseus, as a man unable to settle down after adventures. Instead of resting and being quiet, Ulysses desires new adventures and experiences. This was, in fact, a very Victorian spirit of progress and exploration, with an understanding of making efforts to be great in spite of adversities. Such was the famous line of the poem: "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield," which became a motto for many Victorians in perseverance and self-improvement.

Tennyson's capability to speak to both private feelings and broader social issues meant that his poetry touched hearts in all walks of life. His works frequently comforted and guided the Victorian to move through the tumultuous issues of his era. Tennyson captured the spirit of the Victorian with themes on loss, faith, progress, and human strength; he was truly the man of the age.

2.Pick a poem written by Robert Browning and discuss its thematic concerns.

One of the most recognized poems by Robert Browning is "My Last Duchess," a dramatic monologue that portrays the themes of power, control, jealousy, and gender roles. It is a poem in which a Duke is speaking to a visitor, showing him the portrait of his late wife, the "last duchess." As the Duke elaborates on the painting as well as the behavior of his late wife, it becomes quite evident that he is not just reminiscing but revealing a controlling and possessive character.

The Duke is offended by the Duchess's too-friendliness and treating everybody alike, which was a slight to his sense of superiority. He wanted her to reserve all her smiles and attention for him alone. Browning hints that the Duchess died due to the Duke's jealousy and need for control. The chillingness of the situation is furthered by the Duke's calm and calculated tone as he hints at this.

The central theme of the poem is the abuse of power. The Duke is a representation of a man who views his wife as a possession and not as an equal partner. His obsession with control underscores how power, especially unchecked, can be dangerous. This reflects a larger concern in Victorian society, wherein strict gender roles often limited the autonomy of women. The stand of the Duke towards the Duchess indicates women were mostly perceived as objects or symbols of status rather than an individual with rights and desires of her own.

Another theme of the poem is the nature of art and how it is used to control or immortalize someone. The Duke prefers the portrait of the Duchess because, as a painting, she can no longer defy his wishes. She is now frozen in time, smiling only for him, which gives him the ultimate control he craved in life.

Browning, through dramatic monologue, lets readers see the character of the Duke through his own words, making the poem an effective exploration of human psychology and social issues. "My Last Duchess" invites the reader to question the morality of those in authority by opening up the dark side of power and control.