Do you think Two in the Campagna is a romantic poem or a critique of love?
Two in the Campagna does not take the usual form of a love poem, as the speaker fails to persistently declare devotion for the woman he speaks of. By opting to describe his passion instead of his love, you question whether the romantic elope in the countryside of Rome – the Campagna – signifies romance or is just critiquing love – the idea that love, beauty and romance are merely methods of persuading someone into sex. Though it is made apparent throughout the poem that the speaker is obsessed with his lover the reader must question whether it is love which makes Browning’s character so desire sex with her or whether it is solely lust, carried off as love. The pressure he places upon her to succumb to him could certainly suggest that he cares less for her happiness than for his own sexual satisfaction. This surely takes away from the romantic aspect of the poem, implying that the beauty of nature and the Campagna is just a way to trick his partner into a romantic state of mind so that she will consent to his request – in this way Browning is critiquing love. It is difficult to determine whether Two in the Campagna can be called either of these two terms, for there are elements of both romance and critique of love within it. Perhaps the answer could lie in this question – if his lover were to read the poem, would she be flattered or offended?
Two in the Campagna could be regarded as romantic due to its numerous references to each the beauty of nature, frustration and temptation, all of which are expected qualities of romance and love. Even the poem’s title has connotations of romance, as “Campagna” is an Italian word. Italy is known for being a romantic, peaceful and passionate country. It is also renowned for its beauty. By saying “Two” in the Campagna, the scene is immediately set for a relationship between two people. However, the poem is written from only one perspective – that of...