'Sonnet 37 - Pardon, oh, pardon, that my soul should make' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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XXXVII
Pardon, oh, pardon, that my soul should make,
Of all that strong divineness which I know
For thine and thee, an image only so
Formed of the sand, and fit to shift and break.
It is that distant years which did not take
Thy sovranty, recoiling with a blow,
Have forced my swimming brain to undergo
Their doubt and dread, and blindly to forsake
Thy purity of likeness and distort
Thy worthiest love to a worthless counterfeit:
As if a shipwrecked Pagan, safe in port,
His guardian sea-god to commemorate,
Should set a sculptured porpoise, gills a-snort
And vibrant tail, within the temple-gate.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 37 - Pardon, oh, pardon, that my soul should make
Sonnet 37, written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the theme of forgiveness. The speaker in the poem is asking for forgiveness for the sins of her soul, which she feels are beyond her control. The poem is written in the form of a sonnet, which is a traditional form of poetry that has been used by poets for centuries.
Overview of the Poem
The poem opens with the speaker asking for pardon for the sins of her soul. She acknowledges that her soul is weak and imperfect, and that it is constantly struggling with sin. She asks for forgiveness for the sins that she has committed in the past, and for the sins that she will undoubtedly commit in the future.
The speaker then goes on to describe the ways in which her soul has been tempted and led astray. She refers to the "wantonness of youth" and the "passion of my prime", which suggests that she has been influenced by her own desires and passions. She also mentions the "foul revolt of sin", which suggests that she has actively rebelled against what she knows to be right.
Despite these failings, the speaker remains hopeful and optimistic. She believes that with God's help, she can overcome her sinful nature and be forgiven for her transgressions. She ends the poem by asking God to "take the purchase of my heart's low strife", which is a plea for God to accept her repentance and forgive her sins.
Analysis of the Poem
Sonnet 37 is a deeply personal and emotional poem that reflects Elizabeth Barrett Browning's own struggle with sin and her desire for forgiveness. The poem is written in the form of a sonnet, which is a traditional form of poetry that has been used by poets for centuries. The form of the sonnet is important because it creates a sense of structure and order, which is in contrast to the chaotic and sinful nature of the speaker's soul.
The poem opens with the speaker asking for pardon for the sins of her soul. This is a common theme in religious poetry, and it reflects the speaker's belief that she is inherently sinful and in need of redemption. The use of the word "pardon" is significant because it suggests that the speaker is asking for forgiveness from a higher power, rather than from another human being.
The speaker then goes on to describe the ways in which her soul has been tempted and led astray. She refers to the "wantonness of youth" and the "passion of my prime", which suggests that she has been influenced by her own desires and passions. This is a common theme in religious poetry, and it reflects the speaker's belief that human nature is inherently sinful and prone to temptation.
Despite these failings, the speaker remains hopeful and optimistic. She believes that with God's help, she can overcome her sinful nature and be forgiven for her transgressions. This is a common theme in religious poetry, and it reflects the speaker's belief in the power of faith and repentance.
The use of language in the poem is also significant. The poem is filled with religious imagery and references to God, which reinforces the speaker's belief in a higher power. The use of the word "soul" is also significant because it suggests that the speaker is not asking for forgiveness for her physical actions, but for the sins of her innermost being.
The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful. The speaker asks God to "take the purchase of my heart's low strife", which is a plea for God to accept her repentance and forgive her sins. This is a common theme in religious poetry, and it reflects the speaker's belief in the power of prayer and the importance of seeking forgiveness.
Interpretation of the Poem
Sonnet 37 is a deeply personal poem that reflects Elizabeth Barrett Browning's own struggle with sin and her desire for forgiveness. The poem is written in the form of a sonnet, which is a traditional form of poetry that has been used by poets for centuries. The use of the sonnet form creates a sense of structure and order, which is in contrast to the chaotic and sinful nature of the speaker's soul.
The theme of forgiveness is central to the poem. The speaker acknowledges that she is sinful and in need of redemption, and she asks for forgiveness for the sins of her soul. This reflects the speaker's belief in a higher power and the importance of seeking redemption through faith and repentance.
The use of language in the poem is also significant. The poem is filled with religious imagery and references to God, which reinforces the speaker's belief in a higher power. The use of the word "soul" is also significant because it suggests that the speaker is not asking for forgiveness for her physical actions, but for the sins of her innermost being.
The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful. The speaker asks God to "take the purchase of my heart's low strife", which is a plea for God to accept her repentance and forgive her sins. This reflects the speaker's belief in the power of prayer and the importance of seeking forgiveness.
Overall, Sonnet 37 is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the theme of forgiveness. The poem reflects Elizabeth Barrett Browning's own struggle with sin and her desire for redemption. The use of the sonnet form creates a sense of structure and order, which is in contrast to the chaotic and sinful nature of the speaker's soul. The use of language and religious imagery reinforces the speaker's belief in a higher power, and the final lines of the poem are a powerful plea for forgiveness and redemption.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 37 - Pardon, oh, pardon, that my soul should make, written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, is a classic poem that speaks to the human condition of guilt and the desire for forgiveness. In this 14-line sonnet, Browning explores the theme of remorse and the need for absolution, using vivid imagery and powerful language to convey her message.
The poem begins with the speaker asking for pardon for the thoughts that her soul has entertained. She acknowledges that her thoughts may have been impure or unworthy, and she seeks forgiveness for them. The use of the word "soul" in the opening line is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is not just asking for forgiveness for her actions, but for the very essence of her being.
Browning then goes on to describe the nature of the thoughts that she is seeking forgiveness for. She describes them as "sinful" and "vain," suggesting that they are not just harmless musings, but rather something more serious. The use of the word "vain" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the thoughts were self-centered and perhaps even narcissistic.
The speaker then goes on to describe the effect that these thoughts have had on her. She says that they have caused her heart to be "heavy," suggesting that they have weighed her down and made her feel burdened. The use of the word "heavy" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker is carrying a great deal of emotional weight.
Browning then turns her attention to the person that the speaker is addressing. She asks for their forgiveness, acknowledging that they have the power to grant it. The use of the word "pardon" is significant here, as it suggests that the speaker is not just asking for forgiveness, but for a complete absolution of her guilt.
The final two lines of the poem are particularly powerful. Browning writes, "And let thy love which, with repentance true, / Will purge away the sin and leave the soul anew." Here, the speaker is asking for the person's love to help her overcome her guilt and become a new person. The use of the word "repentance" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is truly sorry for what she has done and is willing to change.
Overall, Sonnet 37 - Pardon, oh, pardon, that my soul should make is a powerful exploration of the human condition of guilt and the desire for forgiveness. Browning's use of vivid imagery and powerful language make this poem a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
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