Andrea del Sarto as a Dramatic Monologue

Andrea del Sarto

Robert Browning

Q. Andrea del Sarto as a Dramatic Monologue - Discuss

Answer: Dramatic Monologue and the name of Robert Browning go on the same track of Victorian Literary genre. It is already known that dramatic monologue is essentially a narrative narrated by a single character. We can imagine it being heard but never answered; this is a dialogue that we only want to hear from one side. It achieves the added effect and dimension through its own story and the character’s comments about the situation in which he speaks. It presents the intention of Browning’s depiction of plot, character and scene through a single character speech. It is through Andrea’s words that readers can feel the presence of plot, character and scene.

One of Robert Browning's dramatic monologues is Andrea del Sarto. It was first published in 1855 as a part of his collection of poems, men and Women. The poem is composed in the form of a dramatic monologue and it presents the complex thoughts of an artist. In this poem, Robert Browning chooses Andrea del Sarto as his mouth-piece.

Madonna of the Harpies by Andrea del Sarto

It is to be noted that Andrea del Sarto was an Italian painter who has been known as the ‘flawless painter’. He was a major figure in the art world during the Renaissance in Italy. During his lifetime he worked as a painter for the King of Italy. Later, in his life, he moved to Florence with his wife. In this poem Browning puts him on an evening in that episode of his life where he discusses his concerns with his wife.

The poem begins with Andrea del Sarto and his wife Lucrezia at their home in Florence. The couple is fighting because Lucrezia wants her husband to create an image for her friends that she accepts. He pleads with his wife to stop fighting and keeps a quiet moment with her as they both look out of their windows on the streets of Florence like any other windows couple.

Soon, the speaker began to admire the beauty of his wife and would find similar beauty on the streets of Florence. He admired the beauty of the place for some time which made him think about the decision he had made in his life. He comments to his wife that his art brings material pleasures that he can enjoy but he understands very little about his art.

He remembers the time when he was the painter of the king. He reminded that he was good at what he did and everyone liked his drawings. He paid very well for them, which helped him to achieve all these material things. However, he says that when he sees the works of other artists, he feels that he is being judged for the mediocre quality of his paintings.

He began to think of other poets who had achieved greatness through their art in his era. He spoke of Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo and said that they were blessed by God. He says he is perfect in his work but has failed to remove anyone. He thinks that perhaps his wife has failed to create art like other painters. She is a beautiful woman but lacks a mind that can inspire her.

Towards the end, he begins to conclude that even though he is not able to create great art, he is happy to go back home with his beautiful wife. He expressed his love for her by saying that he was satisfied with what he had done to her. This moment is interrupted by his wife's cousin. The speaker says he has come back again rather than ask for gambling and should stay with his wife rather than go out.

What he asks his wife about his cousin is that he loves her more and starts talking about her origins. He remembers that his parents lived in extreme poverty and he was able to work for the king. Just as the king gave him money to live a better life, his son will also be able to be a better painter. He concluded by saying that all these years he loved his wife and that the time he had spent with her was enough for him. Maybe, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo had no wife who inspired them but he was happy to have her.

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