Summary:
“Andea del Sarto” is a dramatic monologue written by Robert Browning in 1855, included in Men and Women. The poem is based on the life of the Italian Renaissance painter Andrea del Sarto, who was known for his technical perfection but lacked the creative genius of his contemporaries like Michelangelo and Raphael. The speaker, Andrea, reflects on his life, lamenting his lost artistic potential, his unfulfilled dreams, and the influence of his wife, Lucrezia, whom he loves despite her coldness. The poem explores themes of artistic ambition, regret, love, and compromise, portraying Andrea as a tragic figure caught between his skill and his limitations.
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| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | Andrea del Sarto |
| Poet | Robert Browning |
| Year Written | 1855 |
| Year Published | 1855 |
| Poem Type | Dramatic Monologue |
| Verse Form | Blank Verse |
| Setting | Florence, Italy |
| Main Character | Andrea del Sarto |
| Themes | Artistic Failure, Regret, Love, Compromise, Genius vs. Perfection |
| Tone | Reflective, Melancholic, Resigned |
| Famous Quote | “Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, Or what’s a heaven for?” |
| Main Conflict | Andrea’s technical mastery vs. his lack of true artistic genius |
| Structure | Continuous verse in iambic pentameter |
| Legacy | Considered one of Browning’s best dramatic monologues, offering insight into the psychology of an artist |