Presentation Blog "A Summary and Analysis of “Browning’s ‘A Toccata of Galuppi’s’: How Venice Once Was Dear" by Stefan Hawlin

Katherine Trujillo-Johnston

English 370

Dr.Hague

3 September 2012

A Summary and Analysis of “Browning’s ‘A Toccata of Galuppi’s’: How Venice Once Was Dear”

Summary

In Stefan Hawlin’s essay “Browning’s ‘A Toccata of Galuppi’s’: How Venice Once Was Dear,” Hawlin attempts to give readers a better understanding of Browning’s poem, as well as, open a window into Browning’s inspiration and influences. He begins his essay explaining that this particular poem by Browning  has yet to be critiqued fully due to its’ complexities and musical references.  While the musical references have been successful in a ‘musical point of view’ they have been set apart from the themes of the poem. Hawlin then lets us know that within the last decade better criticism has emerged and then he goes on to show us how.

Hawlin claims that Browning was influenced by other major authors that Browning was exposed to throughout his life. In particular he talks about Keats, Byron, and Dommett and how they each added to Browning’s representation of Venice. Browning’s poem is compared with Keats’ Nightingale,  “And the music as much as Keats’ nightingale, is what lets him into a warm and luxuriant fantasy, something far away from the matter-of-fact world he usually inhibits” (623). This is mirrored in Browning’s description of Venice in his mind. Hawlin gives credit to Browning’s knowledge of balls, masquerades, and carnival to Byron whom Browning worshipped. Finally the essay talks about Domett and his post war view of Venice and how it influenced the overall theme of decay and death throughout the poem.

Lastly Hawlin explains how music is working throughout Browning’s “A Toccata of Galuppi’s’.” He further explains how Browning used the showy characteristic of a Toccata to his advantage. He describes the purpose for mentioning ‘sixths diminished’ and ‘commiserating sevenths.’ He explains how the music works to show the ‘arc’ of Venice. Everything flourished for a period time but eventually died off slowly; in tune with the ‘commiserating sevenths.’ Lastly Hawlin explains how Browning’s final description of how beautiful and warm Venetian women are leaves the reader “with the sad and humble knowledge of how Venice once was dear”(633).

Analysis

                  I feel like this essay really helped me understand Browning’s poem in a whole new way. I thought it was really great that Hawlin shared Browning’s literary inspirations. It gave the reader a better sense of Browning’s descriptions and views about Venice. I also think explaining the musical language and it’s meaning allows the reader to understand the tone of the poem. Without the explanation of sixths and sevenths I may have never understood how the music mirrored Venice. Another thing I found interesting is how Hawlin helps you understand the overall idea of how Venice once was dear. You understand how the speaker has traveled in his mind to Venice in its’ golden age and also after when Venice has a melancholy veil over it.

Questions

1. Does Browning's "A Toccata of Galuppi's" share any of the same elements from the previous pieces we have read in class?

2. Now that we have learned more about the authors that have influenced Browning, can you see those influences in "My Last Duchess" or "Soliloquy of the Spanish Cloister?"

3. In what other ways does Browning visit romantic themes but make them his own?

Hawlin, Stefan. “Browning’s ‘A Toccata of Galuppi’s’: How Venice Once was Dear.” Robert Browing’s Poetry. Ed. James F. Loucks and Andrew M. Stauffer. 2^nd Edition. New York: W.W. Norton, 2007. 622-633. Print.