Bishop Orders his Tomb
Robert Browning's "The Bishop Orders His Tomb at Saint Praxed's Cathedral" displays the flagrant corruption and scandal plaguing the sixteenth-century Catholic Church. Browning again presents a dramatic monologue, this time from the voice of a fictional bishop on his deathbed. This approach functions well in the poem -- adding the excitement, intimacy and uncertainty that a simple narrative would lack while sustaining both the details of the subject and the theme. Furthermore, in writing through the voice of the bishop, the poet reveals some insight into speaker's character and those of the others mentioned. From his deathbed, the bishop begins as any m
Finally, the bishop prepares for death by laying in the position he will have for his tomb. Throughout the poem, the bishop is so concerned with his tomb; he fails to realize the scope of his own death. ------------------------------------------------------------------------**Bibliography**. As the poem continues the bishops describes his tomb in every detail and even changes his mind several times. Surpassing a dead man takes precedence even on his deathbed. Though one can laugh at he ridiculous demands of the bishop, it bothers me that people actually did live and think this way. Like a pharaohs of ancient Egypt the bishop seems to believe that he can take his wealth with him. On his deathbed, the bishop alienates and rejects the only family he has left. He seems insatiable in attempts to out do the previous bishop, Gandolf. Thus, he resigns himself to out doing his predecessor with the luxury of his tomb. " Browning's bishop illustrates the rivalry, insincerity and fraud characteristic of the Roman Catholic Church of the Italian Renaissance. In fact, he has hidden a rare gem for that sole purpose! I think the end probably sums up the idiocy of the pathetic bishop. The bishop, however, then goes on to order lavish and expensive arrangements for his tomb. Instead of humbling himself to God or reflecting on his life, the pompous bishop focuses on appearance. I found this poem both humorous and slightly disturbing.
Common topics in this essay:
Church Browning,
Canterbury Tales,
Praxed's Cathedral,
Italian Renaissance,
Catholic Church,
Bishop Tomb,
deathbed bishop,
bishop tomb,
browning's bishop,
catholic church,
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Acceptance Essays
