Browning And Morality The Victorian Era - 976 Words

Browning and Morality: The Victorian Era The purpose of this prospectus is to identify the thesis and research goals, explain the findings of a literature search, and explain how they are intended to be applied. Having chosen from the list of suggested topics, the decided thesis will be on the topic of the importance of morality and how it relates to the Victorian era, specifically morality’s role Victorian literature. It is commonly held that the Victorian era can be characterized by the shock experienced by society as it violently shifted through several ideological revolutions. Known to sociologists as anomie, this era exists in a time where the values of the renaissance have been consumed by the modernising world. Amidst all of this change, defining elements of the Victorian era can be seen through the analysis and emphasis of morality, particularly in regards to sexuality and the gender equality. Robert Browning is renowned writer of Victorian literature who despite critical reception, produced many pieces of li terature that questioned the underlying values of society through dramatic verse. Through analysis of Browning’s Porphyria’s Lover, Red Cotton Night-Cap Country, and My Last Duchess, and a review of the literature, a relationship between morality and Victorian values will be established. By applying relevant biographical and historical contexts to Browning and his writing, the influence morality had on Victorian poetry and thought will be further explored. TheShow MoreRelatedMy Last Duchess by Robert Browning1795 Words   |  7 PagesDuchess, Robert Browning takes poetic license with a real historical character from within the Italian Renaissance: Alfonso II, the last Duke of Ferrara. The Duke married a young bride, Lucrezia de’ Medici; however, their marriage ended mysteriously after just three years (Bloom 16). Within My Last Duchess, Browning uses the character and voice of the Duke to pass comment upon some of the themes of the Italian Renaissance, particularly the juxtaposition between aesthetics and morality. Furthemore, heRead MoreJust Human. What Does â€Å"Being A Human† Even Mean? The Merriam-Webster1906 Words   |  8 Pagesmoral standards. During the Victorian Era, Rudyard Kipling’s â€Å"If†, Robert Browning’s â€Å"Porphyria’s Lover†, and Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray portray this philosophical idea of morality and ethics in everyday human beings. The Victorian Era is known for its prosperous economy, industrialized society, and overall national self-confidence. In the British Literature sector, the themes introduced high ethical levels, a focus on middle classes, and the human morality. Nationally, Britain hadRead MoreThe Victorians Concern With Morality1180 Words   |  5 PagesThe Victorians’ Concern with Morality â€Å"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Charles Dickens). This quote helps to sum up the Victorian Era. The Victorian Era is understood to have existed during the rule of Queen Victoria between 1837 to 1901. It was thought to be an exciting period that saw various literary schools and artistic styles along with social and politicalRead MorePorphyrias Lover1455 Words   |  6 Pagessimply a frightening and perverse account of a man who cannot properly express his feelings for a woman, it is much more complex. Two major motifs in the poem, love and sin, create a sense of contradiction. Browning uses this contradiction to explore the relationship between art and morality. The title of the poem leads the reader to believe that the speaker and the woman have been in a relationship for some time. It evokes the image of a woman secretly visiting her lover. Then, the speaker tellsRead MoreComparison of Great Gatsby and Sonnets from the Portuguese Essay1420 Words   |  6 PagesBarrett Browning reflect changing values and perspectives? Throughout different time periods in history, perspectives change. With changing perspectives, artists and authors convey their feelings for particular social issues in varying ways through their texts. As the prescribed text, â€Å"The Great Gatsby† by F. Scott Fitzgerald and the prescribed sonnets from â€Å"Sonnets from the Portuguese† by Elizabeth Barrett Browning show, we can see the changes in perspective from the Victorian Era, comparedRead MoreCompare Sonnets From The Shakespeare And The Great Gatsby1424 Words   |  6 Pagespossible in a materialistic and loveless contemporary America. In EBB’S sonnets, affection is depicted as a powerful force that has the capability to change one’s life for the better, a value that was shared by many in the stable and prosperous Victorian era. This is highlighted to the responder through the progression of her sonnets which emphasise how love has transformed her and given her a new life that is now brimming with hope and confidence as well as the fact how she never doubts that thereRead MoreLiterary Tendency of Victorian Literature: Special Reference to Lord Alfred Tennyson and Robert Browning3101 Words   |  13 PagesLiterary tendency of Victorian literature: special reference to Lord Alfred Tennyson and Robert Browning 1.1 An Introduction to Victorian Period: The Victorian era is generally agreed to stretch through the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). It was a tremendously exciting period when many artistic styles, literary schools, as well as, social, political and religious movements flourished. It was a time of prosperity, broad imperial expansion, and great political reform. It was also a time, whichRead MoreEducation And The Portrayal Of Women1619 Words   |  7 PagesDuring the Victorian Era, the right to a proper education for women was at the forefront of politics. Although England has Queen Victoria in parliament, nevertheless woman face oppression daily on the basis of their gender; primarily through the lack of education they receive throughout their lifetime. The struggle for education causes men and woman to compose multiple types of literary critiques to argue the social structure that currently exists in their society. The main statement made in politicalRead MoreIdealised love hope and mortality in The Great Gatsby an d Sonnets from the Portuguese5394 Words   |  22 PagesBarret-Brownings Sonnets from the Portuguese and F. Scott. Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby both reflect, in abstract style and varying contexts and elements, the experience of idealised love, hope and mortality. The elements employed by Barret-Browning and Fitzgerald, differ in their depictions of these themes through various literary devices, two of which are points of view and motifs/symbols. Barret-Brownings sonnet sequence illustrates a complex evolution of emotions as the poet moves throughRead MoreThe Period Of Victorian Times3057 Words   |  13 Pages Late-Victorian civilians had no hope or faith left by the end of Queen Victoria’s reign. Victorian poets either attempted to change the mind and hearts of Victorian people for the benefit of the throne or attempted to raise awareness for the benefit of progress over the course of the era’s entirety. Nineteenth century England reached its height as a world imperial power and had changed as dramatically as it had in all of its history combined during this time (Greenblatt 2145). The population of