Tennyson and Browning

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

Answer : 

Tennyson: The Representative Literary Figure of the Victorian Era:

The Victorian Era, named after Queen Victoria, was a period of great social, political, and cultural change in Britain (1837–1901). It was a time marked by industrialization, the expansion of the British Empire, scientific advancements, and shifting social values. Amidst these sweeping changes, one literary figure stood out as the voice of his time—Alfred, Lord Tennyson. With his rich poetry that captured the spirit, concerns, and contradictions of Victorian society, Tennyson became the quintessential poet of the era. But what makes him so representative of the Victorian period? Let’s explore why Tennyson is regarded as the emblematic literary figure of the 19th century.

1. Tennyson’s Response to the Victorian Crisis of Faith:

One of the defining characteristics of the Victorian era was the tension between scientific progress and religious belief. The publication of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species (1859) challenged traditional religious views, particularly the belief in creationism. This scientific revolution led to a “crisis of faith” for many Victorians, as they struggled to reconcile the new ideas with their long-held religious convictions.

Tennyson’s poetry reflects this crisis and the accompanying sense of doubt and uncertainty. His famous poem “In Memoriam” (1850) is a poignant exploration of grief, faith, and the search for meaning in a changing world. The poem’s central theme of mourning the death of a friend, combined with the existential questions it raises about life, death, and the afterlife, mirrors the wider Victorian anxiety about the loss of religious certainty.

In the opening lines of In Memoriam, Tennyson famously writes:

“The wish, that of the living whole

No life may fail beyond the grave,

Derives it not from what we have,

The likings of the love we live?”

This passage demonstrates Tennyson’s attempt to reconcile his religious doubts with the yearning for hope and eternal life. His exploration of the tension between science and religion is central to the Victorian experience, making him an ideal representative of the era’s intellectual climate.

2. The Victorian Ideal of Progress and Social Responsibility

The Victorian Era was also marked by a strong belief in progress, particularly in terms of science, technology, and social reform. The Industrial Revolution had transformed Britain, and the Victorians had a profound faith in the potential for human advancement through hard work, innovation, and moral development. Tennyson’s poetry often reflects these values, capturing the aspirations of the Victorian people.

One of his most famous works, “The Charge of the Light Brigade” (1854), celebrates the heroism and bravery of soldiers in the Crimean War. This poem, though written about a tragic military blunder, embodies the Victorian ideals of duty, honor, and sacrifice. It conveys a sense of national pride and the belief in moral responsibility, even in the face of mistakes and hardships. The line:

“Theirs not to reason why,

Theirs but to do and die”

captures the unflinching sense of duty that was a hallmark of the Victorian spirit.

Tennyson also tackled social issues in his poetry, reflecting the Victorian concern for improving society. His poem “The Princess” (1847), for example, addresses the role of women in society and advocates for women’s education, aligning with the growing Victorian movement for gender equality and social justice.

3. Tennyson’s Representation of Victorian Values in His Poetry:

Tennyson's poetry was often seen as embodying the values of Victorian society—values such as morality, duty, honor, and respect for tradition. As Poet Laureate from 1850 until his death in 1892, he became the voice of Victorian Britain, and his poems were widely read and admired by people from all walks of life.

Tennyson’s works often focused on themes of heroism, patriotism, and the ideal of a noble, responsible life. His “Ulysses” (1833) is a prime example of this, featuring an aging hero who yearns for adventure and greatness. It embodies the Victorian belief in the pursuit of higher ideals, even in old age. The famous line:

“It little profits that an idle king,

By this still hearth, among these barren crags,

Matched with an aged wife, I mete and dole

Unequal laws unto a savage race,

That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me.”

reflects the Victorian ideal of seeking to live a life of action and purpose, rather than a life of complacency. This focus on striving for greatness, despite obstacles, speaks directly to the Victorian ethos.

4. Tennyson’s Personal Struggles and Reflection of Victorian Emotions:

While Tennyson’s poetry is deeply tied to the broader social and intellectual currents of his time, it is also personal. The poet's life was filled with struggle and emotion, and his works reflect the personal and collective anxieties of the Victorian period. His own battles with depression and loss were reflected in his poetry, making him relatable to the Victorians who faced their own emotional turmoil in an era of rapid change.

In poems like “Mariana” (1830) and “The Lady of Shalott” (1832), Tennyson explores themes of isolation, longing, and despair. These poems reflect the emotional undercurrents of Victorian society—the alienation many people felt in a world that was becoming increasingly industrialized and disconnected from nature. Tennyson’s lyrical and emotive language struck a chord with readers, providing them with a voice for their own emotional struggles.

5. The Ideal Poet for the Victorian Public:

As Poet Laureate, Tennyson was the official poet of the British monarchy and, by extension, the voice of Victorian England. His work was widely celebrated, and his poems were read by the public, taught in schools, and performed at public events. Tennyson’s ability to balance personal introspection with national pride made him a poet for all Victorians, both the intellectuals grappling with the implications of scientific progress and the common people seeking solace and inspiration.

His poetry was not just for the elite; it resonated with a broad audience, speaking to the aspirations and emotional states of the general population. Tennyson’s works addressed universal human themes—love, loss, courage, and hope—while also reflecting the specific concerns of his era.

Conclusion: Tennyson as the Voice of Victorian Britain

Alfred, Lord Tennyson is undoubtedly one of the most important literary figures of the Victorian era. His poetry captures the essence of the age—its conflicts, its ideals, and its emotional depth. From the crisis of faith provoked by scientific advancements to the Victorians’ belief in progress and moral responsibility, Tennyson’s work encompasses the hopes and fears of his time. His exploration of personal and collective struggles, combined with his capacity to evoke national pride, made him a truly representative poet of the Victorian period.

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

Answer : 

Exploring the Themes of Robert Browning’s My Last Duchess:

One of the most famous poems by Robert Browning, "My Last Duchess", offers a glimpse into the mind of a powerful man who reveals more about himself than he intends. Written in 1842, this dramatic monologue remains a fascinating work because of its intense psychological insight and its exploration of themes such as power, control, jealousy, and the objectification of women.

Setting the Stage: The Poem’s Structure:

My Last Duchess is a dramatic monologue, a poetic form in which a single speaker reveals key aspects of their character and situation. In this case, the Duke of Ferrara is speaking to an emissary who has come to arrange the Duke’s marriage to a new woman. The Duke shows the emissary a portrait of his late wife, the "Last Duchess," and through his words, we learn about his marriage, his jealousy, and the darker side of his personality.

From the very beginning, the Duke’s tone is calm and composed, but as he speaks, the tension builds, revealing more about his arrogance and possessiveness. The fact that he is speaking to an emissary about his next marriage while discussing the fate of his late wife adds an unsettling layer to the poem.

Themes of Power and Control:

The most obvious theme in My Last Duchess is power. The Duke's obsession with control is apparent from the very first lines. He refers to his late wife as “my last Duchess,” indicating that she was his possession, someone he could claim ownership over. Throughout the poem, the Duke’s words suggest that he viewed his wife not as an equal, but as an object—something that could be admired, controlled, and even disposed of if necessary.

The Duke's insistence on controlling his wife’s behavior is evident when he describes how she smiled at other men, how she was “too soon made glad” by simple things. In the Duke’s mind, his wife’s happiness, even her smile, should have been reserved for him alone. He says:

"I gave commands;

Then all smiles stopped together."

This chilling line suggests that the Duke had his wife killed because of her perceived disobedience, emphasizing his need to control not only her actions but even her emotions. In this way, Browning explores the theme of dominance in relationships, showing how the Duke’s sense of power and entitlement led to tragedy.

The Theme of Jealousy and Insecurity:

Another central theme in the poem is jealousy. The Duke’s intense jealousy is not only about his wife’s flirtations but also about the attention she paid to anything other than him. The Duke mentions how the Duchess seemed to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, such as the beauty of nature or kindness from others. This deeply irritates him, as he believes that only he should have been the source of her joy.

Jealousy, in this case, is portrayed as a dangerous and destructive force. The Duke’s insecurity over his wife’s affection drives him to see her as a threat to his authority. The more he talks, the more we see how his pride and vanity are intertwined with his jealousy. His failure to understand that his wife was a human being with her own emotions leads to his sense of betrayal, and ultimately to her demise. His jealousy reveals his fragile ego and inability to share or accept his wife’s independence.

The Objectification of Women:

Throughout the poem, the Duke’s attitude towards his late wife reflects the Victorian tendency to view women as objects rather than individuals. The Duke doesn’t describe his wife in terms of her personality or her qualities as a person. Instead, he focuses on her appearance and the way she "performed" in relation to him. When he talks about the painting of her, he says:

“That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall,

Looking as if she were alive. I call

That piece a wonder, now: Fra Pandolf’s hands

Worked busily a day, and there she stands.”

Here, he reduces his wife to an object of art—a piece to be admired but not to be understood. His possessiveness is further illustrated as he talks about how the artist, Fra Pandolf, painted her at his request. The Duke treats his late wife the same way he treats the portrait: as something to be owned, displayed, and controlled. This objectification of women reflects the broader societal views of women during the Victorian period, where they were often seen as possessions to be controlled by men.

The Dark Side of Power and Wealth:

The Duke is a man of great wealth and status, and his sense of entitlement grows from his power. Browning subtly critiques how the Duke uses his power to manipulate the lives of those around him. The Duke’s wealth gives him the ability to dispose of his wife without consequence, and it allows him to have another woman lined up for marriage. By presenting the Duke’s character in this way, Browning reveals the dangers of unchecked power and the ways in which it corrupts a person’s morals.

The Duke’s casual description of his wife’s death, followed by his attempt to shift the conversation to the dowry of his future bride, suggests that he sees human lives as little more than bargaining chips in the game of wealth and power. His wealth and position in society allow him to act without accountability, which makes his cruelty all the more disturbing.

Conclusion: The Psychological Depth of My Last Duchess

My Last Duchess is a haunting and thought-provoking poem that explores deep psychological themes through the voice of the Duke of Ferrara. Robert Browning’s dramatic monologue format allows readers to peer into the mind of a man whose pride, jealousy, and desire for control lead him to commit a terrible crime. The themes of power, jealousy, objectification of women, and the dangers of unchecked wealth and privilege make this poem a powerful commentary on the darker aspects of human nature.

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