Sordello by Robert Browning
Raised in seclusion at Goito, Sordello wins a singing contest at Mantua but grows dissatisfied with public acclaim and retreats from his minstrel's life. Palma draws him into the struggle between Guelfs and Ghibellins; witnessing Ferrara's suffering, he tries to persuade Taurello Salinguerra to support the Guelf cause. Revealed as Taurello's son and offered leadership of Romano's house, he wrestles with power and service to the people and is found dead with the badge of office beneath his foot.
By Robert Browning · Genre: Narrative Poetry, Philosophical Poetry, Historical Poetry · 6 chapters · 72,337 words
First lines
To J. Milsand, of Dijon
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Sordello 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: Narrative Poetry, Philosophical Poetry, Historical Poetry
- Length: 72,337 words
- Structure: 6 chapters, 233 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Sordello by Robert Browning
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Narrative Poetry — The sustained verse narrative follows Sordello's secluded upbringing, success as a singer, political involvement, and death.
- Philosophical Poetry — Sordello's deliberations and the narrator's reflections examine the limits of bodily life, the expression of will, and obligations to suffering people.
- Historical Poetry — The struggle between Guelfs and Ghibellins, Richard's captivity, and negotiations at Ferrara shape Sordello's opportunities and choices.
Tags
poetic ambition · troubadours · Guelfs and Ghibellins · political power · civic duty · soul and body · Ferrara