But however he may dream, however wrapt in self he may be, his curiosity about these matters never lessens for a moment.

Even in death it is his ruling passion.
Along with this he shares fully in the impassioned individuality of the time.

Browning brings that forward continually.

All the dreams of his youth centre in himself; Nature becomes the reflection of himself; all histories of great men he represents as in himself; finally, he becomes to himself Apollo, the incarnation of poetry.

But he does not seek to realise his individuality, any more than his curiosity, in action.