Anonymous
Aug 5
With a critical insight use the formalist approach to discuss Alfred lord Tennyson Ulysses and Robert Browning my last duchess ?
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Aug 5
Both Alfred Lord Tennyson's "Ulysses" and Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess" are poems that can be analyzed through a formalist approach, focusing on the structure, language, and themes present in the poems.
In "Ulysses," Tennyson uses a dramatic monologue to explore the character of the legendary Greek hero, Ulysses, as he reflects on his past adventures and contemplates his future. The poem is written in blank verse, with a regular meter and rhyme scheme, which adds to the sense of control and authority in Ulysses' voice. The language used is rich and evocative, with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors that convey Ulysses' restless spirit and desire for new challenges. The theme of the poem revolves around the idea of the quest for meaning and fulfillment in life, as Ulysses expresses his longing for adventure and his refusal to settle for a quiet life of retirement.
On the other hand, Browning's "My Last Duchess" is also a dramatic monologue, but with a more sinister tone. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, with a regular rhyme scheme that adds to the sense of control and manipulation in the Duke's voice. The language used is formal and precise, with subtle hints of violence and possessiveness that reveal the Duke's true character. The theme of the poem revolves around power and control, as the Duke reveals his jealousy and desire to possess and control his late wife, the Duchess. The poem raises questions about the nature of art and the role of women in society, as the Duke's obsession with the portrait of his wife becomes a symbol of his need for dominance and control.
In conclusion, both "Ulysses" and "My Last Duchess" can be analyzed through a formalist approach, focusing on the structure, language, and themes present in the poems. Through their use of dramatic monologue, rich language, and powerful imagery, Tennyson and Browning create complex and compelling portraits of their respective characters, exploring themes of adventure, power, and control in their works.
In "Ulysses," Tennyson uses a dramatic monologue to explore the character of the legendary Greek hero, Ulysses, as he reflects on his past adventures and contemplates his future. The poem is written in blank verse, with a regular meter and rhyme scheme, which adds to the sense of control and authority in Ulysses' voice. The language used is rich and evocative, with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors that convey Ulysses' restless spirit and desire for new challenges. The theme of the poem revolves around the idea of the quest for meaning and fulfillment in life, as Ulysses expresses his longing for adventure and his refusal to settle for a quiet life of retirement.
On the other hand, Browning's "My Last Duchess" is also a dramatic monologue, but with a more sinister tone. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, with a regular rhyme scheme that adds to the sense of control and manipulation in the Duke's voice. The language used is formal and precise, with subtle hints of violence and possessiveness that reveal the Duke's true character. The theme of the poem revolves around power and control, as the Duke reveals his jealousy and desire to possess and control his late wife, the Duchess. The poem raises questions about the nature of art and the role of women in society, as the Duke's obsession with the portrait of his wife becomes a symbol of his need for dominance and control.
In conclusion, both "Ulysses" and "My Last Duchess" can be analyzed through a formalist approach, focusing on the structure, language, and themes present in the poems. Through their use of dramatic monologue, rich language, and powerful imagery, Tennyson and Browning create complex and compelling portraits of their respective characters, exploring themes of adventure, power, and control in their works.
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Google Gemini AI
Aug 5
Formalist Analysis of Tennyson's "Ulysses" and Browning's "My Last Duchess"
Formalism: A literary theory that focuses on the intrinsic qualities of a text, such as its form, structure, language, and imagery, rather than its historical, biographical, or cultural context.
"Ulysses" by Alfred Lord Tennyson
- Form: Blank verse (unrhymed pentameter)
- Structure: Three parts, each representing a different stage of Ulysses' journey
- Language: Elevated diction, vivid imagery, and rich alliteration
- Imagery: Sea, ship, oars, and a vast, unknown horizon
- Symbolism: Ulysses as a restless, adventurous spirit; the sea as a metaphor for the unknown and the challenges of life.
"My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning
- Form: Dramatic monologue, spoken by the Duke
- Structure: Loose iambic pentameter with irregular rhyme
- Language: Conversational, ironic, and revealing
- Imagery: The Duchess's portrait, the Duke's collection of art, and a sinister undertone
- Symbolism: The Duchess as a silenced and oppressed figure; the Duke as a controlling and possessive individual.
Critical Insight
Both "Ulysses" and "My Last Duchess" use formal elements to create complex and engaging literary experiences. While Tennyson's "Ulysses" celebrates the restless spirit and the quest for adventure, Browning's "My Last Duchess" explores the darker aspects of human nature, such as power, control, and jealousy.
Structure and Symbolism:
- "Ulysses": The three-part structure reflects Ulysses' journey from a yearning for adventure to a realization of his mortality. The sea imagery symbolizes the unknown and the challenges he faces.
- "My Last Duchess": The dramatic monologue structure allows the Duke to reveal his character and motivations indirectly through his own words. The portrait of the Duchess and the Duke's collection of art symbolize his desire for control and his suppression of others.
Language and Diction:
- "Ulysses": The elevated diction and vivid imagery convey the grandeur of Ulysses' quest. The use of metaphors and alliteration adds depth and texture to the language.
- "My Last Duchess": The deceptively casual language of the Duke masks a sinister undertone. His ironic tone and use of understatement reveal his true character and suggest a hidden violence.
Conclusion
The formalist approach allows us to appreciate the intricate workings of Tennyson's "Ulysses" and Browning's "My Last Duchess" on a purely textual level. By focusing on the literary elements such as form, structure, language, and imagery, we can explore the depths of these poems and gain a deeper understanding of their themes, characters, and significance.
Formalism: A literary theory that focuses on the intrinsic qualities of a text, such as its form, structure, language, and imagery, rather than its historical, biographical, or cultural context.
"Ulysses" by Alfred Lord Tennyson
- Form: Blank verse (unrhymed pentameter)
- Structure: Three parts, each representing a different stage of Ulysses' journey
- Language: Elevated diction, vivid imagery, and rich alliteration
- Imagery: Sea, ship, oars, and a vast, unknown horizon
- Symbolism: Ulysses as a restless, adventurous spirit; the sea as a metaphor for the unknown and the challenges of life.
"My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning
- Form: Dramatic monologue, spoken by the Duke
- Structure: Loose iambic pentameter with irregular rhyme
- Language: Conversational, ironic, and revealing
- Imagery: The Duchess's portrait, the Duke's collection of art, and a sinister undertone
- Symbolism: The Duchess as a silenced and oppressed figure; the Duke as a controlling and possessive individual.
Critical Insight
Both "Ulysses" and "My Last Duchess" use formal elements to create complex and engaging literary experiences. While Tennyson's "Ulysses" celebrates the restless spirit and the quest for adventure, Browning's "My Last Duchess" explores the darker aspects of human nature, such as power, control, and jealousy.
Structure and Symbolism:
- "Ulysses": The three-part structure reflects Ulysses' journey from a yearning for adventure to a realization of his mortality. The sea imagery symbolizes the unknown and the challenges he faces.
- "My Last Duchess": The dramatic monologue structure allows the Duke to reveal his character and motivations indirectly through his own words. The portrait of the Duchess and the Duke's collection of art symbolize his desire for control and his suppression of others.
Language and Diction:
- "Ulysses": The elevated diction and vivid imagery convey the grandeur of Ulysses' quest. The use of metaphors and alliteration adds depth and texture to the language.
- "My Last Duchess": The deceptively casual language of the Duke masks a sinister undertone. His ironic tone and use of understatement reveal his true character and suggest a hidden violence.
Conclusion
The formalist approach allows us to appreciate the intricate workings of Tennyson's "Ulysses" and Browning's "My Last Duchess" on a purely textual level. By focusing on the literary elements such as form, structure, language, and imagery, we can explore the depths of these poems and gain a deeper understanding of their themes, characters, and significance.
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