Robert Browning The Poems [Paperback]

This stimulating study takes a fresh look at Browning's poetry and at some of the key themes that run through his work. Part I uses carefully selected extracts for close textual analysis, while Part II examines Browning's life, contexts and a sample of criticism. Using some of Brownings most widely studied poems, this book will develop students close reading technique and help them to articulate their own responses to poetry.

This stimulating study takes a fresh look at Browning's poetry and key themes. Part I uses carefully selected extracts for close textual analysis, while Part II examines Browning's life, contexts and a sample of criticism. The volume is an ideal introductory guide for those who are studying Browning's poems for the first time.

General Editor's Preface.- Introduction.- PART I: ANALYSING ROBERT BROWNING'S POETRY.- 1. Sex, Gender and the Construction of Identity.- 2. Missions and Journeys.- 3. Poetry and Painters.- 4. Religion - Fears and Scruples.- PART II: THE CONTEXT AND THE CRITICS 5. Browning's Life and Works.- 6. The Context of Browning's Poems.- 7. Sample of Critical Views.- Further Reading.- Index.

John Blades has lectured in English Literature at the universities of Leeds and Durham. His publications include Wordsworth and Coleridge: Lyrical Ballads (2004), also in the Analysing Texts series.

• Discusses a variety of critical works from over a century of Browning analysis
  
• Includes extensive research into Browning's biographical, cultural and aesthetic contexts
  
• Examines an extensive range of poems, with line-by-line analysis of extracts
  
• Offers constructive advice on different methods of textual analsÃ