Write about ways Browning tells the story in lines 191-269 of 'Fra Lippo Lippi'

Browning has used enjambment throughout the poem to help paint the picture that he's drunk and rambling on. The drunken rant is also used to reveal some of the background story about Fra Lippo Lippi himself. The poem uses Iambic pentameters to represent a natural speaking voice. This tells the story to the reader because it shows what he's saying isn't planned it's just his opinions coming out naturally. Also because Browning doesn't stick to Iambic pentameter completely it shows how he has to stop and think what he's saying now and again as well as too much coming out sometimes.

By having the poem as a dramatic monologue it helps the narrator address the situation more as well as directly showing the reader his views on the religious regime.  This has also been done by Browning through use of extreme punctuation e.g. exclamation marks, this displays his emotional state and anger, giving you an accurate idea of the character. This refers back to the point about Iambic pentameter.

Browning has used a linear structure for the poem with flashbacks to different parts of about Fra Lippo Lippi’s life. This works as a metaphor for how the church works because even though time is moving on and forward they keep looking back into the past and using old traditional practices and views; exactly what about Fra Lippo is angered about.

 

Sexual Imagery is used by Browning in line 196 'Oh, that white smallish female with the breasts' demonstrates how Fra Lippo thinks differently to the other monks. This kind of sexual fantasy is frowned upon by monks and the church, this circumstance helps to distinguish Fra Lippo from other members of the church.

Another technique Browning has used is perspective from Fra Lippo (The Narrator) in line 199 'A fine way to paint soul, by painting body' this tells the reader Fra Lippo Lippi's views on church and how he wants to paint people as opposed to using symbolism. This in turn tells the reader the story as it helps you understand why he is having the argument in the first place.

Line 204 says 'Why can't a painter lift each foot in turn, Left foot and right foot, go a double step'. Browning has said this to show perspective from the narrator. By this he means that he wants to move on and make progress with his art instead of doing what the church say he should do.

Browning has used setting the setting of 15^th century Florence. In line 240 ‘I’m not the third, then: bless us, they must know! Don’t you think they’re the likeliest to know, They with their Latin? So, I swallow my rage, Clench my teeth, suck my lips in tight, and paint To please them. This is a direct dig at the church, the fact he has set it centuries ago shows how the church and the religious system still haven’t changed. 

In line 254 'The old mill horse, out at grass After hard years, throws up his stiff heels'  This is a metaphor used to represent Fra Lippo Lippi going against his superiors, and to demonstrate how he wants to do things other than what the church has to told him to do.

To conclude Browning has used a variety of techniques to tell the story in Fra Lippo Lippi.