The Major Works

by Robert Browning, Daniel Karllin (Introduction), Adam Roberts (Editor)

Robert Browning's poetic scope was broad, ranging from the beguiling magic of The Pied Piper of Hamelin to the epic book-length poem The Ring and the Book . This comprehensive selection includes over eighty of his shorter poems, amongst them his most famous and best-loved dramatic monologues, as well as the complete text of many of his longer poems. It contains three books from The Ring and the Book and Browning's critical writing, Essay on Shelley . This edition also selects generously from the love letters between Browning and Elizabeth Barrett, as well as from Browning's more general correspondence--letters that cast a unique light upon the poems themselves and poetry in general. The book represents a unique combination of Browning's poetry and prose chosen from the whole range of his career to give the essence of his work and thinking.

Genres: Poetry, Classics, Victorian, Anthologies

864 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Robert Browning (1812-1889) was a British poet and playwright whose mastery of dramatic verse, especially dramatic monologues, made him one of the foremost Victorian poets.

Browning began writing poetry at age 13. These poems were eventually collected, but were later destroyed by Browning himself. In 1833, Browning's "Pauline" was published and received a cool reception. Harold Bloom believes that John Stuart Mill's review of the poem pointed Browning in the direction of the dramatic monologue.

In 1845, Browning wrote a letter to the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, professing that he loved her poetry and her. In 1846, the couple eloped to Europe, eventually settling in Florence in 1847. They had a son Pen.

Upon Elizabeth Barrett Browning's death in 1861, Browning returned to London with his son. While in London, he published Dramatis Personae (1864) and The Ring and the Book (1869), both of which gained him critical priase and respect. His last book Asolando was published in 1889 when the poet was 77.

In 1889, Browning traveled to Italy to visit friends. He died in Venice on December 12 while visiting his sister.

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Browning is one of my favourite poets of all time.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite poets who I have studied for years.

[Brian Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Browning's best work has a clarity of voice and vision that both looked back to the dramatic monologue but also encapsulated it within a blank verse form and structure that looks forward a bit to the modernists. Some of the poems feature fashionable subjects for the Victorian Age such as "Soliloquy of the Spanish Cloister" and "The Bishop Orders His Tomb at Saint Praxed's Church", but "Porphyria's Lover" breaks the mold with a truly breathtaking twist revealed through enjambment - see line 41. In my opinion, his powers weaken a bit in the later years (well into his marriage with Elizabeth Barrett Browning) but that doesn't diminish the impact of the earlier masterpieces. Try "My Last Duchess" first and the Dramatic Lyrics of 1842. Powerful stuff, and a bit dark like the modernists would eventually like it - and as some Victorians scorned it. All the more reason to read it. They certainly don't make the poets like this anymore.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Browning’s poetry is very good. For the most part, it lacks the fantastic and memorable line that stops the reader dead in his tracks. That being said, the poems themselves are beautiful and pleasing, and many lines are great. My favorite turn of phrase is from “Pauliine” when he writes “Words are wild and weak, / Believe them not”. Pauline itself is a masterpiece. My other favorites in the collection is the well-known “The Pied Piper of Hamelin” as well as “The Boy and the Angel” for its acute religiosity and the wistful “Never the Time and Place”. Very highly recommended.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, we read several of Browning's poems for my Victorian Poetry seminar. I liked some of it, but I really do not enjoy reading his dramatic monologues which are what he is really acclaimed for. It makes me feel like a literary philistine, but I simply cannot bring myself to appreciate those poems.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Browning's poetry is Browning's poetry, no need to rate that. The edition, though, looks very fine to me. The introduction (by Daniel Karlin) is excellent. It focuses on appreciating Browning's poetry more than giving a full overview of his career. The annotation (by Adam Roberts) is equally terrific.

[Mark Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Browning is a very difficult poet, but worth the trouble and effort. I have checked out several books from the library, commentary and explanation to help understand his Dramatic monologues. It's exiting that not just one scholarly Critical edition of Browning's work is in preparation, but 3 editions! Oxford, Longman Press, and the Ohio U. Browning edition.

[Executionereniak · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most exhaustive piece of literature I managed to stumble through. I, now, shall decamp to the crows, as one would say. Just the one, and that one is you, Robert dear; for no one else, I firmly believe, ever used the phrase in the history of history. (Among numerous other pieces of your mind put to paper) Tis' a mighty fine phrase, though.