Browning is deeply analytic, a trait perhaps derived from his German ancestors along with his peculiarities of syntax and vocabulary and his obscurity of expression. The latter characteristic has largely discouraged the general public, so that the reading of Browning is limited to people with a literary turn. His poetry is, however, well worth the reading. He is by far the deepest poet of the nineteenth century. He leaves environment to lesser poets and concentrates all his energies upon man himself, his passions and emotions. His nature is essentially dramatic, and had he devoted himself strictly to drama, instead of lyric verse, he doubtless would have been far more appreciated by the public. His poetic monologues, such as "Andrea del Sarto," "Confessions," and "Prospice," dramatic in nature, are rather hampered and confusing because of their form. THE MAN 1. In what place was Robert Browning born? 2. Account for his musical and poetic proclivities. 3. What incident led to his union with Elizabeth Barrett Browning? 4. Florence has what connection with the lives of the Brownings? 5. Describe Browning's life after the death of his wife. 6. Give a description of his general appearance. 7. What personal relations did Browning and Tennyson sustain toward one another? 8. Who were the leading American contemporaries of Browning? II, 293; VIII, 253; XII, 301. 9. Give "Ouida's" opinion of Browning's moral courage. VIII, 107. STYLE AND WORKS 1. When did Browning first begin to write poetry? 2. When were his last works written? 3. Upon what models were the poems of his youth written? 4. Which is considered his masterpiece? 5. In what characteristic is he preëminent among nineteenth-century poets? 6. State the defects in his style. 7. Why is it proper to say that Browning is essentially dramatic? 8. State the limitations on Browning's popularity. 9. What form of verse in which Mrs. Browning was preëminent was never attempted by Robert Browning? II, 239, 251. 10. Compare the styles of Browning and Tennyson as shown in "Hervé Riel" and "The Revenge," XII, 39. "ANDREA DEL SARTO" 1. In what country is this scene laid? 2. Can you name a few contemporaneous artists? 3. Had Andrea Del Sarto attained distinction as a painter yet? 4. How do an artist's circumstances very often affect his paintings? 5. "When the young man was flaming out his thoughts Upon a palace-wall for Rome to see" What great work of Raphael's do these lines suggest? 6. Explain the following quotation of Agnolo's: "Friend, there's a certain sorry little scrub Goes up and down our Florence, none cares how, Who, were he set to plan and execute As you are, pricked on by your popes and kings, Would bring the sweat into that brow of yours!" 7. Account for the different spelling of the artist's names (_e.g._ Rafael for Raphael, etc.). FOR REFERENCE