Frank Skinner's Poetry Podcast
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Aug 2, 2023
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, a renowned Victorian poet, discusses the challenges of being a mother, poet, and revolutionary. Topics include her secret marriage, use of opium-based medicine, interest in Italian politics, and the themes of anger and grief in her poem 'Mother and Poet'.
45:23
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Quick takeaways
- Elizabeth Barrett Browning battled illness which fueled her creativity and rose to fame in Victorian times overshadowing her husband, Robert Browning.
- 'Mother and Poet' by Barrett Browning explores the conflicting identities of a grieving mother and a poet, and delves into the profound impact of loss on an individual's sense of self.
Deep dives
The Poet and Her Prodigy
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, a prodigious poet and self-taught intellectual, rose to fame in Victorian times, overshadowing her husband, Robert Browning. Despite her brilliance, she battled illness, which ironically fueled her creativity. Her book of poetry in 1844 catapulted her into the spotlight. Her secret marriage to Robert Browning and subsequent move to Italy brought them both joy and solitude. Barrett Browning's poetic prowess continued to flourish, exemplified by her famous Sonnets from the Portuguese.
