Johannes Agricola in Meditation Flashcards
Who
The speaker is a lawless christian and refers to himself as the ‘chosen one’. He is religious and describes his relationship with god as highly spiritual.
Poetic voice
The speaker holds a consistent tone of self importance and arrogance however through this egotistical exterior he is lonely. This is shown at the beginning and end of the poem when the setting is night and he reveals the dark truth when he feels most alone.
Where
Poem appears to be set in a prison where it could be perceived that Browning has placed the man there due to his religious beliefs. Whilst in this cell the man vents his anger and distress throughout the dramatic monologue and believes that god is within the four walls with him.
What
The poem is a first person dramatic monologue which represents a desperate trapped protestant who wishes to be free again and at one with God.
Why
The authorial intention of Browning is to portray the speaker as a broken man this is conveyed by his attempts to bargain with god however bargaining can only occur among equals so the speakers only destiny is to lose.
How
Browning’s authorial intention is portray the speakers lack of control through the irregular rhyme scheme, as the poem progresses the rhyme becomes more disjointed as well as the speakers language.
