The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post

piosenniel · 05-22-2002, 11:19 AM

As I recall this poem, it is about a Bishop on his deathbed who is more concerned with the grandeur and beauty of his material posessions (including his wife?/mother of his children)than he is about the state of his soul.

He talks about the envy a rival Bishop - Gandolf has for all the things which he has accrued.

I know that Gandolfo, Gondolfo is a fairly commnon Italian name. And I know that Browning made Italian references in his poetry. Gandolf would be the anglicized version of an Italian name, such a name being entirely appropriate for a bishop.

I think that the Gandalf/Gandolf coneection is probably only an interesting coincidenc.

05-22-2002, 11:19 AM	#7
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	As I recall this poem, it is about a Bishop on his deathbed who is more concerned with the grandeur and beauty of his material posessions (including his wife?/mother of his children)than he is about the state of his soul. He talks about the envy a rival Bishop - Gandolf has for all the things which he has accrued. I know that Gandolfo, Gondolfo is a fairly commnon Italian name. And I know that Browning made Italian references in his poetry. Gandolf would be the anglicized version of an Italian name, such a name being entirely appropriate for a bishop. I think that the Gandalf/Gandolf coneection is probably only an interesting coincidenc. __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.