📖British Literature II Unit 6 – Victorian Poetry: Tennyson & Browning

Historical Context

• Victorian era in Britain spanned from 1837 to 1901 during the reign of Queen Victoria
• Period marked by rapid industrialization, scientific advancements, and social changes
• Rise of the middle class and shifting class dynamics influenced literature and art
• British Empire expanded globally, leading to increased cultural exchange and exposure to new ideas
• Strict moral codes and societal expectations shaped Victorian values and norms
  • Emphasis on propriety, respectability, and adherence to social conventions
  • Double standards for men and women in terms of behavior and roles
• Intellectual movements such as Darwinism and the crisis of faith challenged traditional beliefs
• Urbanization and the growth of cities led to new social issues and concerns

Key Poets and Their Works

• Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892)
  • Poet Laureate of Great Britain during much of Queen Victoria's reign
  • Known for his masterpiece "In Memoriam A.H.H." (1850), an elegy for his friend Arthur Henry Hallam
  • Other notable works include "The Lady of Shalott" (1832), "Ulysses" (1842), and "The Charge of the Light Brigade" (1854)
• Robert Browning (1812-1889)
  • Pioneered the dramatic monologue form in poetry
  • Famous works include "My Last Duchess" (1842), "The Bishop Orders His Tomb at Saint Praxed's Church" (1845), and "Fra Lippo Lippi" (1855)
  • Married fellow poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, known for her "Sonnets from the Portuguese" (1850)
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
  • Prominent female poet of the Victorian era
  • "Sonnets from the Portuguese" (1850) is a collection of love sonnets dedicated to her husband, Robert Browning
  • "Aurora Leigh" (1856) is a novel-length poem that explores themes of women's roles and artistic identity
• Other notable Victorian poets include Matthew Arnold, Christina Rossetti, and Gerard Manley Hopkins

Themes and Motifs

• Exploration of the human condition, including love, loss, and mortality
• Tension between faith and doubt in an age of scientific advancement and religious skepticism
• Social commentary on class disparities, gender roles, and societal expectations
• Nature as a source of inspiration, solace, and spiritual connection
  • Pastoral imagery and the idealization of rural life
  • Nature as a reflection of human emotions and experiences
• The role of the artist and the purpose of art in society
• Nostalgia for the past and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world
• The power of memory and the enduring impact of personal experiences

Poetic Techniques and Forms

• Dramatic monologue: A form pioneered by Robert Browning, in which a speaker addresses a silent audience, revealing their character and story through their words
• Lyric poetry: Personal, emotional expressions of the poet's thoughts and feelings
• Sonnet: A 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme, often used to explore themes of love and beauty
• Blank verse: Unrhymed iambic pentameter, used extensively by Tennyson and other Victorian poets
• Symbolism and imagery to convey deeper meanings and evoke emotional responses
• Allusion to classical literature, mythology, and historical events to enrich the poetic narrative
• Experimentation with form, meter, and rhyme to create unique poetic structures

Literary Movements and Influences

• Romanticism: Victorian poetry was influenced by the preceding Romantic era, which emphasized emotion, nature, and individualism
• Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood: A group of artists and poets who sought to revive the simplicity and sincerity of pre-Renaissance art and literature
  • Associated poets include Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Christina Rossetti
• Aestheticism: A late-Victorian movement that prioritized beauty and art for art's sake, often in opposition to Victorian morality
  • Oscar Wilde, a key figure in the Aesthetic movement, known for his poetry and plays
• Influence of classical literature and mythology on Victorian poets' works
• Victorian poets' engagement with contemporary social, political, and philosophical issues

Critical Reception and Analysis

• Victorian poetry was widely read and celebrated during its time
• Critics praised the technical skill, emotional depth, and moral messages of Victorian poets
• Tennyson's appointment as Poet Laureate in 1850 solidified his status as a preeminent Victorian poet
• Browning's dramatic monologues were admired for their psychological insight and innovative form
• Later critics have re-evaluated Victorian poetry, examining its complex themes and historical context
  • Feminist and gender-based analyses of works by Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Christina Rossetti
  • Postcolonial readings of Victorian poetry in relation to the British Empire and its cultural impact
• Contemporary scholars continue to study Victorian poetry for its artistic merit and cultural significance

Legacy and Impact

• Victorian poetry shaped the literary landscape of the 19th century and beyond
• Tennyson and Browning's works remain widely read and studied in academic and popular contexts
• The dramatic monologue form influenced modernist poets such as T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound
• Victorian themes and concerns, such as the tension between faith and doubt, continue to resonate with readers today
• Victorian poets' engagement with social issues and moral questions set a precedent for later socially-conscious literature
• The Victorian era's cultural and historical significance is intertwined with its literary output, including poetry
• Victorian poetry serves as a valuable lens through which to understand the complexities of 19th-century British society and culture

Key Takeaways

• Victorian poetry reflects the cultural, social, and intellectual climate of 19th-century Britain
• Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Robert Browning are two of the most prominent and influential Victorian poets
• Victorian poetry explores themes of love, loss, faith, doubt, nature, and the human condition
• Poetic techniques such as the dramatic monologue, blank verse, and symbolism were central to Victorian poetry
• Victorian poetry was influenced by literary movements such as Romanticism, Pre-Raphaelitism, and Aestheticism
• Critical reception of Victorian poetry has evolved, with contemporary scholars examining its themes, historical context, and cultural significance
• The legacy of Victorian poetry extends beyond the 19th century, shaping modern literature and continuing to resonate with readers today
• Studying Victorian poetry provides insight into the complex and changing world of 19th-century Britain and its enduring cultural impact