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‘De Gustibus - ’ by Robert Browning
Overview:
● The title of this poem is part of a quotation, “de gustibus non est
disputandum”, or, "there is no arguing about taste
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This personal
poem also adopts a very lyrical style which gives it a kind of rambling quality
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He clearly feels torn and
cannot decide where his heart lies
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The union was forbidden by both families
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Structure/form:
● The much shorter verse about England, which comes first, may suggest that
the English countryside and rural stereotype was his first love
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● Unordered/non-chronological structure - Browning frequently lapses into
flashbacks
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Also
adds information and to the poem and suggests that it is a stream of thoughts
that pop into his head
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● Fairly random and erratic rhyme scheme - used in verse one to build up
momentum
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poppies
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blackbirds” - all these words portray
typical Romantic imagery and the beauty of the traditional English
countryside
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● Browning suggests in the first verse that young couples who may frolic in
“coppice” (woods) should be allowed to enjoy themselves whilst they’re still
young
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● “Your ghost will walk
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However this is directly

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juxtaposed by the last few lines, suggesting that perhaps Browning’s opinions
shift throughout the poem
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The parenthesis at the beginning of verse two suggests that Browning
assumes he will be buried in England, but that his soul will escape to Italy
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“Red-rusted rough iron-spiked” - the metaphor of the leaves and fruit of the
“cypress” tree being like iron suggests that they are strong as they can survive
the harsh, hot climate
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The alliterative “r” sounds heighten this sense of pain and power
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Conveys ideas of the Sublime
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The castle appears to be amazing and fancy on the outside, but on the inside
the “frescoed (carved and decorated) walls” are crumbling
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The fact that “a scorpion sprawls”
from the walls also portrays the idea that Italy has two sides - it can be
charming on the outside but dangerous on the inside
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The allusions to Mary Queen of Scots (who loved Calais as much as
Browning loved Italy) suggests that Italy is engraved on Browning’s heart - the
memories he has made there will be in his heart forever
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“Such lovers old are I and she: So it always was, so shall ever be!” - this
rhyming couplet brings finality to the poem and makes it seem as if Browning
has made up his mind
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Here, Italy is portrayed as beautiful and feminine
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● Nature and Romanticism
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● Sense of place
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