How does Browning reflect the Renaissance temper in his poems? Discuss. 

The Renaissance was a time of great change in Europe. It started in the 14th century and continued into the 17th century. The Renaissance focused on art, beauty, learning, and the value of human life. It celebrated individual talent, earthly joys, and the balance between body and soul. Robert Browning (1812-1889), though a Victorian poet, often shows Renaissance ideas in his poems. His characters, their love for art, passion, ambition, and deep thoughts show us the Renaissance spirit or temper.

Celebration of Human Potential: Renaissance thinkers believed that human beings are capable of great things. In Browning’s poems, the speakers talk about their dreams, ambition, and failures. In “Andrea del Sarto,” the speaker is a real-life painter. He feels he could have done better in life. He blames his own weakness and his wife, Lucrezia. He says people should try to do more than what they can easily reach.

“Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp,

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Or what's a heaven for?”

Love for Art and Beauty: The Renaissance was famous for beautiful paintings, sculptures, and poems. Art was very important. In Browning’s poem “Fra Lippo Lippi,” the speaker is also a real-life painter. He wants to paint real human bodies like the Prior’s mistress or the men in the neighbourhood. But the Church wants him to paint only holy things. So, he says:

“Can’t I take breath and try to add life’s flash.”

Individualism: Renaissance men wanted to express their own ideas and feelings. Browning’s dramatic monologues are perfect examples of this. In “My Last Duchess,” the Duke shows a painting of his last Duchess (his dead wife) and talks about her. He expresses his own ideas and feelings about her. He talks about her smiling too much at everyone. Slowly, we understand that the duke is proud, jealous, cruel, and controlling. He says:

“I gave commands;

Then all smiles stopped together.”

Interest in Earthly Life: Renaissance thinkers believed in enjoying life on earth, not just waiting for heaven. In “The Last Ride Together,” the speaker is a rejected lover. But instead of feeling sad, he asks for one last ride with the woman. He says:

“Your leave for one last ride with me.”

Love, Beauty, and Emotion: Renaissance literature celebrated love, beauty, passion, and emotion. In Browning’s poems, we see many strong emotions. Andrea feels regret, Fra Lippo wants to feel joy, the Duke feels jealousy, and the speaker in “The Last Ride Together” feels hope. These emotional expressions show us the Renaissance love for the human heart and its feelings.

In fine, Robert Browning, though living in the Victorian age, brings out many ideas from the Renaissance period. His poems show love for art, beauty, human ability, deep emotions, and individual voice. He celebrates life, passion, and personal struggle. That is why we can say: Browning truly reflects the Renaissance temper in his poems.