The Heretic's Tragedy by Robert Browning
Framed as a distorted recollection of a medieval burning, a singer and chorus celebrate the execution of John, Master of the Temple, in Paris. Bound and gagged, John calls on Christ; the song depicts a hellish rose and the Judge's face before his soul passes into darkness. The abbot who opens with a warning about divine justice closes by praying for lost souls.
By Robert Browning · Genre: Dramatic Poetry, Satirical Poetry, Narrative Poetry · 1,253 words
First lines
A Middle-Age Interlude
_Rosa Mundi; seu, fulcite me Floribus. A Conceit of Master / Gysbrecht, Canon-Regular of Saint Jodocus-by-the-Bar, Ypres City._ / _Cantuque_, Virgilius. _And hath often been sung at Hock-tide and / Festivals._ _Gavisus eram_, Jessides.
Genres
- Dramatic Poetry — An abbot, a singer and a responding chorus deliver the verse, with directions for music and a participant crossing himself.
- Satirical Poetry — The singers praise God while gleefully describing John's torture; their cruelty contrasts with the abbot's closing prayer for lost souls.
- Narrative Poetry — Rhymed stanzas recount the preparation of the pyre, John's burning, his appeal to Christ and his death.
Tags
religious persecution · burning at the stake · divine judgment · mercy · choral verse · religious satire
What this Textopian page supports
The Heretic's Tragedy 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 Poetry, Satirical Poetry, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 1,253 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Heretic's Tragedy by Robert Browning
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