Fra Lippo Lippi as a poem in which Browning is thinking
about the relationship between art and life. Browning explores this theme in other poems
such as 'Andrea del Sarto' as he was much influenced by his time living in Italy. He
also often set his poems in the past, particularly when Venice was ruled as a city state
and very important.
The poem is a dramatic monologue in
that the speaker is a historical figure speaking to a silent listener. This form allows
us to hear the thoughts of the speaker and we become aware of his
motivations.
Browning often questions the morality of the
church as it seems that people join it without any real consideration; 'they made a monk
of me'. People also seek shelter there from crimes they have committed; 'fresh from his
murder.'
Another major concern is with Fra Lippo Lippi as
an artist. Browning is considering whether art can ever truly capture life 'Can't I take
breath and try to add life's flash?'
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