Poem Analysis - Browning Decides To Be A Poet

A Poet's Declaration: Embracing Transformation

Jorge Luis Borges' "Browning Decides to Be a Poet" is a powerful meditation on the poet's role as a shapeshifter, an individual who embodies a multitude of experiences and perspectives. The poem's tone is initially introspective, shifting to a bold declaration of artistic intent and then becoming more mystical and all-encompassing. The poem explores themes of identity, transformation, and the enduring power of art to transcend personal limitations. Borges crafts a compelling vision of the poet as a vessel, capable of containing and expressing the vast spectrum of human experience.

Echoes of the Past: Finding Inspiration

Borges, as an Argentinian writer deeply influenced by European literature, positions Robert Browning within a grand tradition. Browning's influence and the poet's lineage are acknowledged directly. By directly referencing Browning and Byron, Borges grounds the act of poetry within a historical lineage of creative expression. The speaker seeks to be "worthy / of the great echo of Byron," acknowledging the weight of literary history while simultaneously forging his own path. This connection to past masters emphasizes the enduring nature of poetic inspiration and the cyclical process of artistic creation.

The Alchemist of Language: Transforming the Mundane

One of the poem's central themes is the power of language to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. The speaker declares his intention to "make everyday words-- / the gambler's marked cards, the common coin-- / give off the magic that was their / when Thor was both the god and the din." This alchemical metaphor suggests that the poet's task is to unlock the inherent potential within language, revealing the latent power and significance embedded in the most commonplace expressions. By evoking Thor and the ancient connection between language, divinity, and natural phenomena, the poem underscores the timeless and transformative nature of poetic creation.

Masks and Metamorphosis: A Fluid Identity

The poem explores the theme of identity through a series of shifting personas. The speaker vows, "I shall live by forgetting myself. / I shall be the face I glimpse and forget." He embraces a multitude of roles, from Judas to Caliban, from a mercenary to Polycrates. These diverse figures represent different facets of the human condition – betrayal, suffering, ambition, and mortality. This embrace of contrasting identities suggests that the poet's true self resides not in a fixed essence but in the capacity to embody a range of experiences. The concluding lines, "Masks, agonies, resurrections / will weave and unweave my life, / and in time I shall be Robert Browning," confirm that the poet's identity is a fluid, evolving construct, shaped by the myriad roles he inhabits.

Symbols of Fate and Inspiration: Decoding the Imagery

Several recurring symbols contribute to the poem's overall message. The image of the river, described as a "full river to resound through time," symbolizes the enduring power of art to transcend temporal limitations. The Persian nightingale and the Roman sword represent different cultural traditions and sources of inspiration, suggesting the poet draws from a diverse range of influences. These images create a rich tapestry of associations that underscore the poem's themes of transformation, artistic creation, and the enduring legacy of poetic expression. The tenth sphere of the heavens presents an interesting ambiguity. Does it mean that love will propel his poetry to its highest form, or is the tenth sphere an unknowable and unattainable limit?

The Poet's Eternal Echo: A Lasting Impression

"Browning Decides to Be a Poet" ultimately celebrates the transformative power of art and the poet's capacity to embody the entirety of human experience. Through vivid imagery, shifting personas, and a bold declaration of artistic intent, Borges crafts a compelling portrait of the poet as a shapeshifter, capable of unlocking the magic within language and transcending the limitations of personal identity. The poem leaves the reader with a profound sense of the enduring legacy of poetry and its ability to resonate across time and culture.