The Poems of Robert Browning: Volume Six: The Ring and the Book, Books 7-12

The Ring and the Book, published serially in 1868–9, is a daring and innovative poem by Browning that explores the trial of an Italian nobleman, Guido Franceschini, for the murder of his wife, Pompilia. Browning's discovery of a 'yellow book' on a second-hand market stall in Florence sparked his imagination and led to the creation of an epic poem that fused the technique of the dramatic monologue with the grandeur of classical epic and the vivid realism of the modern novel. This edition, comprising volumes 5 and 6 in the Longman Annotated English Poets edition, provides an authoritative account of the poem's composition, publication, sources, and reception, as well as a selection from the original sources and key passages from Browning's correspondence with one of the earliest readers of the poem, Julia Wedgwood. The aim is to enable readers to understand the poem as an object of study and to take pleasure in its intellectual and emotional energies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 676 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Ring and the Book, a serial publication from 1868 to 189, stands as one of the most audacious and groundbreaking poems in the English language. The narrative revolves around the trial of an Italian nobleman, Guido Franceschini, for the murder of his wife, Pompilia, in Rome in 1698. Browning's remarkable journey began when he stumbled upon an old yellow book, a collection of legal documents and letters related to the trial, on a second-hand market stall in Florence. This serendipitous discovery ignited an imaginative exploration of this sordid tale of domestic abuse, adultery, and greed, which blossomed over four years of arduous labor into an epic populated by concrete, recognizably human characters. By seamlessly fusing the technique of the dramatic monologue, a form that he had made his own, with the grandeur of classical epic and the vivid realism of the modern novel, Browning crafted a distinctive hybrid form that enabled him to vividly bring to life an entire historical period while also delving into the very process of artistic creation itself—the forging of the golden "ring" of the poem from the "pure crude fact of its historical original."

This edition, comprising volumes 5 and 6 in the esteemed Longman Annotated English Poets edition of Browning's poems, fully captures the breadth and depth of Browning's remarkable achievement. The headnote in volume 5 provides an authoritative account of the poem's composition, publication, sources, and reception, utilizing hitherto unpublished letters and textual material. In addition to offering assistance to readers where necessary with historical and linguistic comprehension, the notes meticulously track Browning's extensive range of allusions, spanning from the most erudite to the most vulgar. Volume 6 includes appendices that present a selection from the original sources, a list of variants from extant proofs, and key passages from Browning's fascinating and revealing correspondence.

In conclusion, The Ring and the Book, published serially in 1868 to 189, is a testament to Browning's unparalleled poetic prowess. Through his innovative fusion of techniques and genres, he has created a masterpiece that not only captivates readers with its vivid storytelling but also invites them to contemplate the artistic process and the human condition. This edition, with its comprehensive headnotes, appendices, and meticulous annotations, serves as a valuable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike, allowing them to delve deeper into the rich tapestry of Browning's poetic legacy.

Weight: 1440g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032164748