Robert Browning's views on religion

 

The views of Robert Browning concerning religion is one of the most fascinating subjects when it comes to the works of Victorian poets. This is because it involves a situation where there is no stable stance on the subject throughout his works to such an extent that there have been radically different views concerning the subject. A prominent aspect of Browning’s poetry is that it shows the ever-shifting attitudes that he has concerning religion and this can be considered an essential part of the various events that took place in his life (Turner 5). It can also be considered a means through which he expressed his inner thoughts concerning the way individuals in society responded to religion. Browning’s works are important because they show that rather than having consistent thoughts about religion, individuals ‘attitudes often change with the events, whether positive or negative, that take place in their lives. These individuals instead seek to make sure that they understand the purpose of religion and the role that it plays in their lives. Browning, through his poetry, challenges the social conformity towards religion that is prevalent in his society and this is to such an extent that very few individuals are able to challenge the institutions of religion. In this paper, there will be an analysis of Robert Browning’s views on religion through an assessment of his life experiences as well as his works, with specific reference to “The Bishop Orders His Tomb”, “Fra Lippo Lippi”, and “Porphyria’s Lover”.

Robert Browning was born in 1812 to a well to do family in England, with his family background being quite extensive because it included German, Scottish, and a paternal grandmother believed to be of mixed origin. He lived in an environment where his parents encouraged him to have considerable freedom of thought to such an extent that he was able to develop independent thought at a very early age. Furthermore, he became interested in the arts from a young age and this was essential in the advancement of his ideas concerning the society within which he lived. Browning’s life was one where because of his father’s good income was able to have an environment and the necessities that he needed to further his career as a poet (Gale). It was fundamental in helping to advance his initiatives because it allowed him to ensure that he made a careful study of his society, mostly because of his mother’s influence, and discover some of the different contradictions that plagued it. He was essentially taught at home because he hated the school environment and did not attend either Oxford or Cambridge because at the time, admission was only allowed for Anglicans while he was raised an evangelical. It is fundamental that Browning became so much involved in addressing the matter of religion in his poetic works, and this is especially the case following his marriage to Elizabeth Barrett, a sickly woman. His marriage was what brought him to the limelight because his wife was more well known in the literary circles at the time, and their decision to move to Italy for the sake of her health can be considered a testament of his love for her.

In his youth, Browning displayed considerable flexibility when it came to his religious beliefs. He was an individual who, despite being raised in a deeply religious environment, with his mother being an evangelical and a non-conformist. She, however, promoted her son’s interests in matters other than religion through her buying him the works of Shelley, who was a well-known atheist. A result was that for a time, Browning, who greatly admired Shelley, became both an atheist and a vegetarian, like his hero (Suzuki 63). However, despite this shift in belief, Browning seems to not have held on to it for a long time and it is possible that his shifting stance in his early youth was essentially a young man trying to find himself. Browning can be considered to have been quite openminded when it came to religious beliefs in his youth and it is this attitude that essentially guided him for the rest of his life. His flexibility when it came to religious beliefs does not seem to have prevented him from undertaking different works and it is possible that he sought to better understand religious beliefs through his works. His religious beliefs, which were at first moulded on that of his own family, must have been significantly challenged by the social realities around him and may have contributed to his not being too attached to conventional beliefs in his life. Therefore, while he may not have remained an atheist for long, Browning seems to have live in a situation where religion did not play a significant role in his youth.

Browning is an individual whose religious beliefs significantly changed as he grew older. This is especially considering that he lived at a time where a considerable number of people essentially conformed to the religious beliefs in which they were raised. However, Browning was among those whose beliefs were everchanging because he had the ability to question and criticise the dominant aspects of religion in his society. Browning’s works show an individual who despite being much concerned with religion did not address it himself. Instead, he made the various characters within his works make their own declarations concerning religion and its purpose. In this way, he was able to ensure that he created a level of debate concerning religion and how it affected the daily lives of individuals. Browning’s religious stance can be considered to have become more consistent as he grew older and during this period, it was affected more by the events that took place in his life rather than being based on any firm religious principles. He was an individual who showed a propensity towards the belief that religion could be a source of good in society and showed an admiration for the manner in which the bible promoted goodness. However, the different events that took place in his life, such as the death of his wife, may have significantly reduced his faith in religion to such an extent that he was seen as having rejected the very idea of its authenticity.

One of the most significant influences on Browning were the works of John Donne. While he had lived in the 17^th century, his works were essentially considered little more than uncouth. However, Browning went against the grain by admiring and idolising Donne, much to the surprise of his contemporaries (Gale). Browning’s admiration for Donne may have stemmed from the latter’s quite liberal perspective of the world, which was not popular during his time. His free discussion of such subjects as love and the manner through which he described the various subjects that he wrote about, were considered uncouth during his own time. However, Browning seems to have admired this individuals because of the daring that he had in being able to challenge the social conventions of the seventeenth century and seeking to think outside of the religious and social restrictions that had been placed on individuals in the society. Browning can be considered to also have been a liberal in a period where there seem to have been considerable social restrictions in addition to open hostility when it came to individuals going against what were considered correct religious practices. Therefore, Donne’s influence of Browning cannot be underestimated since it may have been the catalyst that made the latter venture into the way of thinking, in a liberal manner, that served as a hallmark of his works. Donne’s poetry also seems to have been responsible for the style that was later adopted by Browning in his own poetic works. Therefore, Donne was an important influence on Browning because the latter idolised him and his way of thinking, and this influence may have also been important when it came to Browning’s opinions concerning society and the role of religion within it.

The image of Faust plays a prominent role in the poetry of Robert Browning. This is because he is used to symbolise the poet, as is the case where this individual uses unconventional means to achieve his goals. Faust’s use of black magic, and the manner through which Browning makes him a symbol of the poet shown that the latter may have been experiencing a situation where his religious beliefs had taken a downturn. Faust’s life is highly symbolic of the need by human beings to take responsibility for their own lives and do what they can to ensure that they are in full possession of their destinies. Faust is therefore symbolic of the ability of human beings to control their lives without the intervention of religion. However, Browning seems to have lost interest in using Faust to symbolise the poet, with this role being given to Elisha. It shows that the considerable reversal that Browning experiences when it comes to his opinion concerning religion. When one considers that Faust was eventually condemned for his actions, his replacement by Elisha is extremely important. Elisha’s miracle, where he resurrected the son of the Shunamite woman is consistent with Browning’s regaining of his religious beliefs. It is symbolic of the revival of those instances where individuals, after having lose their faith and regained it, constantly seek to ensure that they attain the highest possible level of religious observance. Faust and Elisha in this case can be considered symbolic of the opposite religious inclinations that affect Browning from throughout his life.

Moreover, Browning is shown to be an individual who considered death to be imminent for all individuals. His works show a significant attempt to address death and the manner that it comes about. Therefore, while the world is a beautiful place to live in, despite the problems that can be found within it, it is inevitable that death will eventually find us and that with death, the world will cease to be of any use. Browning’s opinion of death can be seen in the way that he seems to be abandoning the prophetic role that he undertook when he me Elisha the representation of the poet. This abandonment is extremely symbolic of Browning’s significant belief that death will eventually come and that human beings do not have the power to resist it. The achievement of the goals of religion is to ensure that there is the advancement of the lives of individuals in such a way that they are able to achieve salvation after their deaths. Therefore, it is essential that humans seek to redeem themselves because at death, the beauty of the world opens up, and despite the desire to continue living within it, death denies them the ability to achieve this objective. It is possible that Browning was of the belief that human beings had to make the most of being alive through undertaking those tasks that they believed to be important while at the same time living righteously. This is especially considering that death is constantly imminent and it is likely to come about without warning.

It seems that Browning believes individuals in the world can only be able to achieve salvation through the observance of divine love. He further suggests that human beings are constantly shown evidence of divine power, but while the latter is in evidence, there is a failure to realise that it is important for it to be tempered with divine love (Steward). A consequence of this stance is that it promotes the belief that individuals should take responsibility for their actions in such a way that it allows them to view the world differently. It is likely that Browning is essentially condemning the selfish nature of human beings because he suggests that individuals do not do enough to promote the advancement of love in their societies. They instead seek to ensure that they accomplish their own selfish interests at the expense of others. The matter of salvation can also be considered a means through which Browning condemns the church establishment, especially the monopoly of power that is displayed by clergymen. The latter are essentially representations of all that is wrong with the world because rather than promoting the idea of divine love in society, they cause the considerable restrictions within it based on doctrinal differences. Thus, salvation can only be achieved through individual action, which is essential in the advancement of love in such a way that it becomes one of the sole purposes of human beings. A consequence would be that evidence of divine power tempered with that of divine love would ensure that salvation becomes a reality for a considerable number of individuals.

Browning is an individual who believes in the power of morality. It is an important belief because he believed in the artists making use of their works to advance morality. This is fundamental because the process involved artists being able to undertake the role of social conscience in their societies. Furthermore, when it came to morality, Browning often made use of biblical allusions to get his point across to his audience. He seems to advance the need to make sure that a situation is brought about where society is able to learn from the work of artists concerning the need to lead moral lives. The achievement of this goal can be considered fundamental because it shows the artist as not only an individual who entertains his audience, but also provides them with essential moral lessons concerning life. Browning sees his role as a poet as a means of lending society with the knowledge that they need to live morally while at the same time ensuring that there is the advancement of examples that can be followed by individuals in their societies. This assumption is also based on Christian beliefs, which are essential in bringing about the creation of a society where individuals are able to live with one another not only in peace, but also make morality the basis of their social environments. In this situation, religion plays a significant role because it ensures that there is a promotion of the power of morality in such a way that helps individuals come up with ways through which they can be able to support one another while at the same time maintaining high moral values.

Among the most significant issues that Browning deals with in his works is are love and knowledge. These are extremely important topics, especially considering that many individuals often seek one or the other, and it shows that throughout history, they have been fundamental human subjects. Knowledge is considered to be the means though which individuals seek to advance themselves in such a way that they are able to learn more concerning their environments (Tate 196). Love, on the other hand, is the feeling of affection that individuals have for one another and it is for the most part based on the unconditional positive feelings that individuals have for others other than themselves. The question of whether to pursue one or another is seen through the manner in which individuals find themselves in a bind because they have difficulty choosing one or the other. However, Browning seems to be of the opinion that individuals who seek knowledge tend to end up in difficult situations because once they begin the process, they are not able to stop. The result is that they bring about their own destruction by the knowledge that they seek to desperately. Love, because of its unconditional nature, can be considered a means through which people can be able to develop the positive feelings that they need to ensure that there is the establishment of an environment where they are comfortable and in harmony with others. Loves unconditional nature is essential in the creation of strong bonds between individuals which ensure that they are able to look out for one another. It makes individuals think beyond themselves, unlike knowledge which can be considered a destructive force if not brought under control swiftly.

“Porphyria’s Lover” is a poem that seems to discuss love and the manner through which without it, the situation can end up leading to brutal situations. This poem begins with the persona describing his lover. This description is extremely important in developing an understanding of the persona’s attitude towards his lover and the manner through which their love has developed. However, in the end, the person strangles his lover in the most brutal manner, essentially using her own blond hair (Browning and Sweeney 3). The poem is an extremely powerful testament of the situation where individuals conduct extremely evil acts in the name of love. The failure to understand the true meaning of love is the root cause of the evil that takes place in this poem and this is to such an extent that it leads the persona into a very dark place. The tone of the poem show that potential that the world has to descend into evil if the power of morality is not applied and it makes the audience think more about their own lives and their potential to conduct great evil if they do not adhere to the moral code that is taught in Christianity. The manner through which the persona describes his love and then ends up murdering her is a sign of the corruption that is prevalent in the world because his actions at the end show him to be an extremely evil person who is not restricted by moral concerns. The lack of a moral compass among human beings because of the corruption of or non-observance of religious teachings can be considered the reason behind the persona’s actions against his lover.

Another poem that touches on the corruption of human nature as well as that of the Church is “The Bishop Orders His Tomb”. This is a poem that seeks to show the manner through which the clergy has descended to the level of promoting their own interests over those of their flock. The title of the poem shows the Bishop as being an extremely vain man because he orders for a tomb to be built for him (Nafchi, Mirzayee and Zadeh 229). It is obvious that this project will involve the use of church funds, which can be put to better use through helping the poor in society. It is essential to understand that the clergymen have to lead by example and Browning, through his poem, shows that the Bishop is an individual who completely goes against his calling to such an extent that he ends up choosing the promotion of his own interests over undertaking the responsibilities that have been given to him as a leader of the Church (Wong 568). This action is a sign of the greater problem that can be found in the Church as a whole, because it shows clergymen in an extremely bad light. These individuals are shown be greedy to such an extent that they fail to observe their vows of poverty and instead seek to achieve earthly goals. These goals are extremely important for these individuals, as exemplified by the Bishop; a sign that the Church has essentially deviated from its purpose and has instead become a means through which clergymen can be able to control considerable wealth while at the same time achieving their personal ambitions.

“Fra Lippo Lippi” is a poem by Browning that essentially seeks to show the considerable power that poets have over the various human subjects that they seek to write about. This poem addresses the issue of corruption in the Church as well as the hypocrisy that goes with it. It is essential to note that the poem makes the point of addressing the excesses of the Church through the use of such aspects of regular life as sex and money (Nafchi, Mirzayee and Zadeh 227). The setting, which is in a dark alley, is highly symbolic of the manner through which the Church, rather than being the source of light, has become a place of darkness. The darkness is symbolic of the corruption of the Church, which has failed to honour its task as the defender of the faith and has instead led to the advancement of a perspective where it is an active player in the corruption of the temporal world. This failure to accomplish its duties leads to a situation where the Church has essentially become corrupt, as seen in the description of the brothel in the alley which symbolises the Church. The Church has essentially become a source of corruption where it seeks such temporal things as money, which it does not use for the benefit of all Christians, and instead is used for the benefit of the clergy.

The Church has essentially become a means to achieve swift wealth and power within society. This is an idea that is shown in the poems discussed above and it leads to the conclusion that members of the clergy are essentially power-hungry individuals who feel that they have the means through which to ensure that they advance their own interests. The selfishness of these individuals can be seen through the god-like characteristics that they adopt, especially when it comes to such issues as the use of expensive regalia in order to impress the masses. The masses are made to believe that the people who hold power in the Church are above them and that they are essentially the representatives of God on earth. A consequence is that these individuals end up using their positions to advance their own power in competition with temporal powers. The splendours seen in the Church and their use by those in power within it shows that there is a lot of corruption. The people in power within the Church have essentially failed to ensure that they pursue the vows of poverty in line with the teachings of Christ, and this is the reason why Browning seems to make plain that they are nothing more than power-hungry individuals.

In conclusion, Browning’s position concerning religion can be considered a very challenging subject. His varying views when it came to religion throughout his life may have come about because of the need to better understand the connection between it and the lives that individuals led in their societies. In this paper, there has been an analysis of the subject through an assessment of his life experiences as well as a number of his works. Browning is an individual who shows signs of having a belief that religion is an essential aspect of society because it leads individuals to achieve a level of morality. It is through the power of morality that they are able to clearly see how the world around them works and the need to advance positive values.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Browning, Robert, and Matthew Sweeney. Porphyria's Lover. ProQuest LLC, 2004. Print.

Gale, Cengage Learning. A Study Guide for John Donne's" Song". Gale, Cengage Learning, 2016. Print.

Nafchi, Asghar Moulavi, Mitra Mirzayee, and Morteza Sobhani Zadeh. "Robert Browning: A Dramatic Monologue Marvel." International Letters of Social and Humanistic Sciences 63 (2015): 225-32. Print.

Steward, PA. "The Religious Faith in the Victorian Age." Ashvamegh... the literary flight! 2.19 (2016). Print.

Suzuki, Rieko. "‘What Was All This except the Lesson of Life?’: Browning’s Fifine at the Fair and Shelley." The Keats-Shelley Review 30.1 (2016): 63-69. Print.

Tate, Gregory. "Infinite Movement: Robert Browning and the Dramatic Travelogue." Victorian Poetry 52.2 (2014): 185-203. Print.

Turner, Katie. "Professor Marchbanks English 21 16 April 2004 Tennyson and Browning: Providential Perspectives."  (2004). Print.

Wong, Amy R. "Town Talk and the Cause Célèbre of Robert Browning’s the Ring and the Book." Modern Philology 113.4 (2016): 550-72. Print.

 

Pre-Modern and Modern Views of Nature and Death

 

Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson in their poetry address diverse issues concerning nature and death. These are two aspects of life that all human beings have to live with and have to come to terms with the fact that they will have an effect on them. In this paper, there will be an attempt to compare the pre-modern to the modern view of nature through an analysis of the poetry of Whitman and Dickinson.

One of the most important aspects concerning the views of these poets is that they promote the idea that death is essentially something that has to be feared. This is especially considering that in the modern world, people more often than not, because of the adoption of science as the mainstay of everyday life, are afraid of dying. In addition, the concept of nature is one that is seen to be hostile to human beings and that there is need to bring about its taming. The taming of nature is considered an essential aspect of being civilized; meaning that being in touch with nature is viewed as regressive. Therefore, the modernist view concerning nature and death are essentially hostile to both because human beings do not often have control over these aspects of life.

The pre-modern and modern poetry’s views concerning nature and death have a considerable number of similarities. When it comes to death, both views look upon it as an extremely personal experience. This is exemplified in the pre-modern era where there was the belief that death brought about a level of relief from the problems of everyday life. Moreover, it was intensely personal because it was closely tied to religious beliefs in such a way that there was the promotion of life after death. Whitman, in “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd”, seeks to understand death and questions why God allows it to take place (Whitman). The modern perspective is also fairly personal when it comes to death because it is believed to involve the complete end of a life. In the poetry of both eras, nature is viewed as being beyond the control of human beings, with the latter having to live the best way that they can within it.

Despite the similarities between them, there are considerable differences between the themes involving nature and death in the pre-modern and modern eras. Among the most significant of these is that unlike in the modern era, in the pre-modern era, there was an acceptance of death an inevitable, but this was tempered by the belief that there was life after death. Moreover, acts of nature were believed to be the will of God and because of it could not be questioned. In the modern era, nature is viewed as essentially being hostile to human beings, as seen in Dickinson’s "Apparently with no surprise" where she questions the benevolence of God (Dickinson). This is an important perspective especially the case considering that these beliefs have become influenced by science.

In conclusion, the pre-modern and modern views of death and nature are displayed in the works of Dickinson and Whitman. In the analysis above, there has been an attempt to show the similarities and differences between the beliefs concerning death and nature in these two eras. The result is the realization that despite the similarities and differences, the views were extremely personal.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Sonnet 7

 

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem is one that seems to promote an image where a woman is expressing her love for a man. It is likely that the poem is a reflection of the manner through which Browning loves her husband, and what her love has been able to do for her. This is especially considering that before she met her future husband, she had been a sickly individual, and it was only after she got married that she had an improvement in her health status (Browning, The Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning 16). The information concerning her personal life can be considered useful in understanding this poem because it shows that she is an individual that makes use of her personal experiences in her work. It also promotes an image of an individual that is able to ensure that she creates a reflection of her personal life in her work in such a way that she brings her audience as close as possible to the reality of what occurs between two individuals that love one another. Thus, she is able to ensure that there is an increase in the emotional effect of her work on her audience.

One of the most significant aspects of this poem is that it promotes an image of an individual that is deeply in love; which ensures that there is a joyous tone throughout the poem. This is seen through the way that she describes her meeting with her lover using terms such as hearing “the footsteps” of her lover’s “soul” next to her (Browning XX, line 1). This is an extremely important statement because it shows that she is an individual that was extremely lonely until such a time as she met her lover. In addition, in the same line, she adds “I think” (Browning XX, line 1), meaning that despite the joy that she is currently feeling, she is still uncertain concerning the direction towards which her life is heading. Her statements suggest that while she is joyful about the events that are taking place in her life, she is also concerned about their consequences. Furthermore, she seems to attribute her continuing to live to her lover, as seen in the case where she suggests that he saved her from “obvious death” and provided her to discover the joys “Of life in a new rhythm” (Browning XX, lines 6-7). These are extremely important lines because they promote an image of an individual that seems to have been extremely lonely until such a time as she met her lover. The statement “obvious death” is highly symbolic because it implies that the persona lived in an environment and society where nobody understood her, until such a time as her lover came to her life.

The imagery used in the poem is also extremely important in understanding the state of mind of the writer. This is especially the case where the image of being in the “brink of obvious death” is brought up. It shows that the writer is an individual that was very close to death and that if not for her lover, she would have ended up dying. However, with her recovery, an image of the celebration of life is promoted, since the individual involved concedes that while there are troubles in life, as seen in her sickliness, there is still so much to live for. The use of juxtaposition can be seen in “country, heaven” (Browning XX, line 10) and this is extremely important in the advancement of the idea that because of the love that she feels for her lover, she is no longer willing to die. Instead, the world has become a better place for her to such an extent that it can be compared to heaven. Therefore, in the poet’s mind, it seems to heaven and country are essentially interchangeable aspects of the same thing; meaning that joy can not only be found in heaven with God, but also in the regular human life, despite its troubles (Stott and Avery 37). Therefore, while this poem seems to be one that celebrates life and love, and the joys that they bring about in the lives of individuals, it also touches on its grimmer aspects; essentially acknowledging that it is the latter that make the joys so precious.

In conclusion, the poet seems to acknowledge the power of love and the way that it can have a positive effect on the lives of individuals. This is especially the case considering that the mood of the poem increasingly becomes positive from line to line. It shows a perspective that advances the need for individuals to take advantage of all opportunities that they have in life, despite its grimmer aspects, to find joy in it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Browning, Elizabeth Barrett. "Sonnets From The Portuguese." Massachusetts: Barre Publishing (1977).

Browning, Elizabeth Barrett. The Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Vol. 1. Macmillan, 1898.

Stott, Rebecca, and Simon Avery. Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Routledge, 2014.

The Transformation of Achilles

Homer’s Iliad is one of the most popular poems from the ancient world, and it sought to ensure that it promoted the achievements of the various heroes. Among the heroes that are mentioned in the poem, perhaps even one of its most significant subjects is Achilles. Achilles is an individual that undergoes a considerable transformation from being one full of godly pride to one that is essentially human. This paper seeks to document the transformation that Achilles undergoes through an analysis of his pride and honor, his rage, and finally, his humanization.

Among the most significant factors that guide the life Achilles in the Iliad are his pride and honor. These are considered essential traits, especially by the author of the poem, who seeks to enhance them through his characters. Achilles’ pride and honor are what dictate his actions and this is especially the case where he feels that his honor has been betrayed by Agamemnon because the latter, who is the commander of the Achaeans, has essentially taken his mistress, Briseis, away from him. Achilles does not seem to really love Briseis because despite constantly professing his love for her, he does not do anything to stop Agamemnon’s agents from taking her away from him. Achilles therefore is driven by his pride not to undertake any action to protect his mistress, while at the same time also seeking to ensure that his displeasure is shown through his decision not to help the Achaeans in the war effort against Troy.

In addition, Achilles is driven by his rage as seen in the line “Rage – Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus’ son Achilles,” (1, 1). The situation essentially leads to significant losses in men during the Trojan War. This is especially the case considering that because of his rage against Agamemnon, Achilles refuses to support his fellow Achaeans in the war to such an extent that the conflict continues to drag on for longer than would otherwise have been the case. His rage, coupled with pride, leads Achilles to focus all his attention on a single individual rather than considering the plight of his countrymen. However, all this changes when Achilles’ best friend, Patroclus, is killed by Hector, the Trojan hero. The result is that Achilles’ rage is shifted from Agamemnon and directed at Hector, on who he wants to exact revenge. This situation changes the tide of the Trojan War to such an extent that Achilles ends up leading the Achaeans to victory while at the same time ending up killing Hector.

Following the death of Hector at the hands of Achilles, the latter’s rage abates and he ended up becoming a more human character. Achilles becomes more capable of showing human emotions, as seen in his joyousness and fairness when he distributes prizes to his colleagues during the funeral games held in honor of Patroclus. In addition, he professes his love for Briseis, who has been restored to him; is a sign of his essentially being happy following the satisfaction of his rage. Moreover, he also agrees to give back Hector’s body to his father King Priam, who desires to give his son an honorable funeral as befits a prince of Troy. Therefore, Achilles’ transformation leads him from a proud individual who believes himself to be superior to all other to being one that is essentially more human with feelings that can be associated with the latter personality.

In conclusion, Achilles is shown to be an individual that throughout most of the Iliad has a building rage. The intervention of the gods prevent him from killing Agamemnon when they have an argument, but it is only after the death of Patroclus that Achilles’ rage becomes of service to the Achaeans. Hector’s death transforms Achilles into a more human character because all the rage that is in him is expended.

Analysis: The world is a beautiful place by Lawrence Ferlinghetti

Lawrence Ferlinghetti writes the poem “The world is a beautiful place” to express his feelings about the world and the contradictions that exist within it. It is a poem which shows the irony of living the human life, some being happy with their lot in life while others remain sad due to their poverty as well as the tragic events that happen in their lives. Ferlinghetti uses this poem to display the true nature of human life, that nothing is ever permanent. In this paper, we shall analyze the imagery, symbolism, figurative language, style and tone in relation to the development of the theme.

The use of imagery is very extensive in this poem especially when making contrasts between the beauty of the world and the ugliness which is contained within it. This can be seen when it is stated that the world can be very beautiful if the people who live within it do not mind “a bomb or two.” The image of a bomb is used to refer to the wars which happen from time to time all over the world especially in the developing countries. It can be said that the image of the bomb when contrasted to the beauty of the world may be Ferlinghetti’s way of stating that the world is beautiful just the way it is but it is the human being who makes it not to be a pleasant place to live in due to his corrupting influence over it. This image may also be used to show the environmental price that the world has to pay whenever human beings go to war. The image of the upturned faces may be used to refer to the helplessness that people in the society feel due to the fact that although they have no hand in the making of the decisions to go to war, they are always the first ones to suffer when these wars begin. The image of happiness is continuously displayed in this poem but there is a sudden stop to it when Ferlinghetti mentions that it all ends in death.

Symbolism is a major style used in the development of the theme of this poem. A good example of this, as mentioned above, is the mentioning of a bomb to symbolize war. The line “a few dead minds/ in the higher places” can be considered to symbolize the decisions of people in authority concerning things that are vital without thinking about the consequences of their actions in future. Furthermore, the line “….or such other improprieties/ as our Name Brand Society/ is prey to” symbolizes the dominance of capitalism in the society something which Ferlinghetti was very much against. The line “…and its priests/ and other patrolmen/and its various segregations/ and congressional investigations/ and other constipations…” symbolizes to the governmental establishment and its ingrained corruption that is rampant within its ranks.

Ferlinghetti uses figurative language to depict the contrasting characteristics of the world, and a good example of this is in the line “comes the smiling/mortician” which is an oxymoron used to symbolize death. It is well known that death is a sad event but Ferlinghetti’s depicting it as smiling clearly shows the contrast in the world as a place where a lot of happiness can be found as well as great sadness. Figurative language can be seen all over the poem and it is used to express the points which can be considered to be the most important in the poem.

The tone of the poem can be considered to be either neutral or ironical. This is because of the contrast which Ferlinghetti makes between two very different matters. For example, he states that the world is a very beautiful place to be born into if one does not mind there not being any happiness all the time. This is an ironical statement because of the fact that Ferlinghetti is attempting to depict the world as not being an ideal place to live in. It can further be said that the tone of the poem depicts the true feelings of its writer about the world and how the situation within it affects the different people living in it. The irony in the poem helps to deliver the poet’s message to the reader as well as fostering an understanding of the subject matter involved.

In conclusion, the use of imagery, symbolism and figurative language in this poem greatly contributes to a greater understanding of the poem. They create situations which are familiar to the reader and they allow him to decipher the true meaning of what the poem is saying. Despite what many people who read it may think, it is not as negative a poem as it is considered to be. Instead, it has many lessons to give about the reality of human life in the world and the main message which can be made out of it is that there is not guarantee of happiness in the world and that we should live in it as best as we can.