Give a Critical Appreciation of the poem 'Prospice'. It is a great love

Give a Critical Appreciation of the poem ‘Prospice’. It is a great love poem? Discuss.

Ans.

Introduction

Prospice is a Latin word meaning ‘Look forward’. This poem was published in 1864. It was written in the autumn following the death of the poet’s wife, Elizabeth Browning. The title of the poem is apt and suitable because the poet suggests his wife to look forward towards the Heaven after death. The poet looks himself forward with hope and confidence to meet with his beloved wife in the other word after death. it is a subjective monologue but not dramatic, as most of the other poems of browning are. Throughout the poem the poet speaks his bravery, valour and determination.

A Didactic Poem

‘Prospice is one of the most inspiring poems writing on the subject of death. The poem is concentration of the soul to meet with God. All pangs and sufferings at the time of death have been discarded by the poet. One should be brave enough to face all troubles of life and death. On the other hand the poet suggests to be ready for the worst things and these worst things can be made even through courage and bravery. This poem is a defiance of death and a challenge to battle. The poet suggests not to be afraid of death because it is the gateway of Heaven.

Development of Thought

The poet welcomes death in place of being fearful because he knows that he will meet his beloved wife after it. He is determined to face death bravely. Just as a climber of the mountain faces mist, fog, tight breathing and darkness before his eyes, so also a dying man suffers and faces these problems in his way to Heaven.

His limbs grow cold and breathing grows hard and a darkness pervades before eyes. All this indicates that the dying man is nearing the death. The poet would remain unafraid even when he sees Death face to face. With all its terrors, the battle with Death is the last one and the best one. He will fight with is bravely like his ancestors. It is through the battle with Death that the barriers between this and the other world fall away, and the brave man reaches his destination. Thus the poet is sure that we will reach in the Heaven and will meet with his beloved wife there.

Optimism

Browning is optimistic enough that he will meet God and his wife after death. It is the last journey and provides reward of the activities of life. He would not like to die like a coward who is blindfolded before he is shot dead and remains unaware of what is to be done against him. The poet would like to die bravely like old heroes. He would pay the debt of pain, darkness and cold” so that he may take complete bliss in the Heaven. Soon there is a ‘peace out of pain’ and then he sees the light of Heaven. It is this faith which sustains and strengthens the poet’s optimism. He is quite optimistic that he will certainly embrace his wife after his death.

A Love Poem

Prospice is a great love expression of the poet for his wife. The poet believed that the souls of lovers and good persons take rest in the Heaven with God. it is his intense passion which strengthens the poet to fight with the demon of Death. He discards the pangs of Death to meet with his wife.

It is an expression of courage and determination of a heroic soul. The poem brings out the poet’s optimism and his faith in the immortality of the soul. The body may die but the soul survives. His beloved wife has died but her soul stays for him in Heaven with God waiting for the poet. True lovers are sure to meet, if not in this life, then in the life to come. The poem is a great love-poem.

Conclusion

The poem is a subjective one with the metaphoric use. it is characterized with sincerity and intensity. It comes out from the heart of the poet and enters into the brains of the readers. The language is simple and picturesque. It is free from “Browning’s Obscurity.”