An Epistle Containing the Strange Medical Experi
From Bethany, the travelling physician Karshish writes to his teacher Abib about Lazarus, who says a Nazarene restored him from death. Karshish proposes a medical explanation for Lazarus's conviction and describes his unusual responses to earthly concerns, patience and affection for living things. Despite calling him mad, Karshish remains awed and returns to Lazarus's claim that God became human and died out of love.
By Robert Browning · Genre: Dramatic Monologue, Epistle, Religious Poetry · 3,845 words
First lines
Containing the Strange Medical Experience of Karshish, the Arab Physician
Genres
- Dramatic Monologue — Karshish alone speaks, revealing his medical judgments and growing awe while anticipating Abib's objections.
- Epistle — The verse takes the form of a letter to Abib, with greetings, travel reports, a medical case and repeated farewells.
- Religious Poetry — Lazarus's reported resurrection leads Karshish to question the claim that God dwelt in flesh and died for humanity.
Tags
medicine · resurrection · religious doubt · divine love · epistolary poetry
What this Textopian page supports
An Epistle Containing the Strange Medical Experience of Karshish, the Arab Physician is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Browning, dated Date unknown.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Browning
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Dramatic Monologue, Epistle, Religious Poetry
- Length: 3,845 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for An Epistle Containing the Strange Medical Experience of Karshish, the Arab Physician by Robert Browning
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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