Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837-1909)

 

Introduction

• Key Figure: Algernon Charles Swinburne, a prominent poet, dramatist, and critic.
• Literary Significance: Blended Romantic and Classical traditions, revolutionizing English poetry.
• Nobel Nominations: Nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature five times (1903-1907, 1909).
• Comparison: Often compared to Lord Byron for his charismatic literary presence.

Biographical Sketch

• Lineage: Born into a noble family; father was an admiral, mother the daughter of the Earl of Ashburnham.
• Education: Attended Eton and Balliol College, Oxford, but left without a degree due to involvement in political activism.
• Influences: Deeply influenced by Greek and Latin literature, French, Italian, and the Bible.
• Personal Life: Known for his excitable temperament, excessive drinking, and controversial lifestyle. Later, he lived under the care of Theodore Watts-Dunton, leading to a more sedate life.

Literary Career

Early Works

• Plays: The Queen Mother and Rosamund (1860), Chastelard (1865).
• Lyrical Drama: Atalanta in Calydon (1865), praised for its Greek tragic form and pagan themes.

Poems and Ballads: First Series (1866)

• Impact: Caused a scandal for its explicit sensuality and rebellion against Victorian morality.
• Key Poems: Anactoria, Sapphics, The Leper, Hymn to Proserpine, The Garden of Proserpine.
• Themes: Explored sadomasochism, blasphemy, and unrestrained passion.

Middle Period Works

• Political and Philosophical Themes: Song of Italy (1867), Songs before Sunrise (1871).
• Elegiac Poetry: Ave Atque Vale (1868), a tribute to Baudelaire.
• Defense of Pre-Raphaelites: Under the Microscope (1872), defending Rossetti against criticism.
• Later Works: Poems and Ballads: Second Series (1876), Erechtheus (1876), and novels like Love’s Cross-Currents (1877).

Later Life and Works

• Recovery: After battling alcoholism, Swinburne’s creative powers resurged under Watts-Dunton’s care.
• Key Works: Tristram of Lyonesse (1882), A Century of Roundels (1883), Poems and Ballads: Third Series (1889).
• Innovation: Developed the poetic form “roundel,” a variant of the French rondeau.

Literary Criticism and Style

• Criticism: Known for impulsive and inconsistent literary criticism, often overly praising or denouncing writers.
• Narrative Technique: Master of bombast and rhetoric, with a focus on sensuality and exaggerated passion.
• Criticism of Style: Often criticized for being verbose and superficial, though praised for his mastery of rhyme and meter.

Key Poems and Themes

Hymn to Proserpine (1866)

• Form: Dramatic monologue lamenting the decline of paganism and rise of Christianity.
• Themes: Transience of religions, death, and the cyclical nature of life.
• Imagery: Uses sea imagery to symbolize the destructive power of time and change.

Hermaphroditus (1863)

• Inspiration: Based on the Borghese Hermaphroditus statue in the Louvre.
• Themes: Explores sexual ambiguity, androgyny, and the tragic nature of hermaphroditic love.
• Form: A sequence of four Petrarchan sonnets with a modified rhyme scheme.

Critics’ Opinions

• Oscar Wilde: Criticized Swinburne for his braggadocio about vice.
• A.E. Housman: Praised his technical skill but criticized his lack of depth.
• George Saintsbury: Acknowledged Swinburne’s contribution to English prosody.

Legacy

• Innovation: Pioneered new poetic forms and challenged Victorian prudery.
• Influence: Inspired later writers with his bold themes and lyrical genius.
• Controversy: Remains a polarizing figure due to his explicit content and rebellious spirit.ey Figure: Algernon Charles Swinburne, a prominent poet, dramatist, and critic.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

 

Introduction

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861) was a prominent Victorian poet, celebrated for her intellectual depth, social activism, and poetic innovation. She remains one of the most influential women poets of the 19th century, known for her works such as Sonnets from the Portuguese and Aurora Leigh.

Key Biographical Details

• Birth: March 6, 1806, Coxhoe Hall, County Durham, England.
• Family: Eldest of 12 children; father, Edward Moulton Barrett, owned Jamaican sugar plantations.
• Health: Suffered from a lung ailment and spinal injury; treated with morphine.
• Education: Self-taught in Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and literature; influenced by Rousseau, Voltaire, and Mary Wollstonecraft.
• Marriage: Secretly married Robert Browning in 1846; moved to Italy; had one son, Robert Barrett Browning ("Pen").
• Death: June 29, 1861, in Florence, Italy.

Literary Contributions

• Early Works:
• Major Works:
• Themes: Social justice, feminism, love, and human rights.

Poetic Style and Innovations

• Form: Experimented with sonnets, blank verse, and autobiographical poetry.
• Language: Often criticized for obscurity but praised for emotional depth and intellectual vigor.
• Influence: Inspired Emily Dickinson and Virginia Woolf; considered for Poet Laureate after Wordsworth.

Key Poems and Analysis

1. To George Sand: A Recognition
2. To George Sand: A Desire
3. The Cry of the Children

Criticism and Legacy

• Strengths: Intellectual power, originality, and boldness of thought.
• Weaknesses: Obscure language, melodramatic plots, and inconsistent imagery.
• Legacy: Regarded as one of the greatest women poets; feminist readings of Aurora Leigh continue to inspire.

Quotes to Remember

• “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” (Sonnets from the Portuguese).
• “Whoever lives true life, will love true love.”

Conclusion

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s works remain a testament to her genius, resilience, and commitment to social justice. Her poetry continues to resonate with readers and critics alike, securing her place as a literary icon of the Victorian era.