“Periods” of Browning

It is usual with students to divide the poet’s work into some four or five periods. Mr. Fothering ham’s cla ification is as good as any: he makes the periods five.—Period I., “ a time of youth and prelude ” (1832-1840), the time of Pauline , Para cels us , and Sordello . During this time the poet was trying the nature and compa of his theme and forming his style.—Period II., “ the time of early manhood ” (1841-1846), the time of the dramas and early dramatic lyrics. All the dramas except Str afford belong to this time. In this period he was studying how best to use his poetical powers.—Period III. is “ the time of maturity ,” his manhood and married life (1846-1869). Now he has found his standpoint; he is firm, vigorous, and confident. During this time he gave us Christmas Eve , Men and Women , Dram at is Personæ , and The Ring and the Book .—Period IV. is “ the time of his later maturity ” (1870-1878). Now the casuistic and argumentative element becomes more prominent; the dramatic aspect retires into the background, the philosophical teacher advances. “His hardest and least poetic work,” it has been said, was put forth in this period: Hohenstiel-Schwangau , Red Cotton Night-Cap Country , etc.—Period V. (1879-1889), “ the time of the latest works .” A period of criticism of life, as in Ferishtah and the Parley ings .