'Sonnet 11 - And therefore if to love can be desert' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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XI
And therefore if to love can be desert,
I am not all unworthy. Cheeks as pale
As these you see, and trembling knees that fail
To bear the burden of a heavy heart,—
This weary minstrel-life that once was girt
To climb Aornus, and can scarce avail
To pipe now 'gainst the valley nightingale
A melancholy music,—why advert
To these things? O Beloved, it is plain
I am not of thy worth nor for thy place!
And yet, because I love thee, I obtain
From that same love this vindicating grace,
To live on still in love, and yet in vain,—
To bless thee, yet renounce thee to thy face.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 11 - And therefore if to love can be desert: A Masterpiece of Love Poetry
In the world of English literature, Elizabeth Barrett Browning is considered one of the greatest poets of all time. Her poems, especially those on the subject of love, have been studied, admired, and analyzed for centuries. Among her many works, Sonnet 11 - And therefore if to love can be desert is a classic example of Browning's poetic genius. With its intricate language, powerful imagery, and profound message, this sonnet stands out as a masterpiece of love poetry.
At first glance, the sonnet appears deceptively simple. It consists of only two quatrains and a sestet, each with a rhyme scheme of ABBA. Yet, within these fourteen lines, Browning manages to convey a complex message about the nature of love and its impact on the human heart. The poem opens with the line, "And therefore if to love can be desert," immediately setting the tone for what is to come. The word "desert" suggests that love is a reward that one can earn, an idea that is reinforced throughout the poem.
Browning goes on to describe the transformative power of love, comparing it to the effect of sunlight on a rose. She writes, "With that sweetest air / Which martyrs sucked from off the spike of death, / Dying, are rapturous made." Here, Browning uses the metaphor of a martyr to illustrate the intensity of love. Just as a martyr is willing to suffer and die for their beliefs, so too is the lover willing to endure any pain or hardship for the sake of their beloved. The image of the spike of death emphasizes the idea that love is something that can be earned only through sacrifice.
In the second quatrain, Browning shifts her focus to the subject of time. She writes, "Time may divorce from thee / And wreck my rhyme." Here, Browning acknowledges the impermanence of love and the fact that it can be lost or destroyed over time. The use of the word "wreck" implies that love is something fragile and vulnerable, and that it can be shattered in an instant. Yet, despite this acknowledgement, Browning remains steadfast in her belief in love's power. She declares, "Yet love's own essence never can be changed."
The final sestet of the sonnet is perhaps the most powerful. Here, Browning directly addresses her beloved, saying, "Nor can love's soul be ever vexed from thee." The use of the second person pronoun "thee" gives the poem a personal and intimate tone, as if Browning is speaking directly to her beloved. She goes on to describe the impact that love has had on her own life, saying, "Love doth make thee invincible, and turns / Thine earthly wars to triumphs of the skies." This line suggests that love has the power to transform even the most mundane and earthly experiences into something divine and sacred.
Throughout the sonnet, Browning employs a variety of literary devices to enhance the poem's meaning and impact. The use of metaphors and imagery, such as the rose and the spike of death, help to convey the intensity and transformative power of love. The repetition of the rhyme scheme, with its ABBA pattern, gives the poem a sense of structure and symmetry, reinforcing the idea that love is something that can be earned and achieved through effort and sacrifice. The use of the second person pronoun "thee" creates a sense of intimacy and personal connection between the poet and her beloved.
Overall, Sonnet 11 - And therefore if to love can be desert is a masterful work of love poetry that speaks to the heart and soul of the reader. Through its intricate language, powerful imagery, and profound message, Browning reminds us of the transformative power of love and its ability to elevate the human spirit to new heights. Whether one is a lover or a student of literature, this sonnet is sure to leave a lasting impression and inspire further reflection and analysis.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 11 - And therefore if to love can be desert is a classic poem written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. This poem is a beautiful representation of love and the sacrifices that come with it. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem begins with the line, "And therefore if to love can be desert." The word "desert" in this context means deserving or worthy. The poet is questioning whether love can be deserving or worthy of anything. She is questioning whether love is something that can be earned or whether it is something that is given freely.
The second line of the poem reads, "I am not worthy of the love which is." Here, the poet is expressing her own feelings of unworthiness. She feels that she is not deserving of the love that she has received. This is a common feeling that many people experience when they are in love. They feel that they are not good enough for the person they love.
The third line of the poem reads, "The first love of the world, though, is for me." Here, the poet is referring to the love of God. She believes that the first love of the world is for her. This is a powerful statement that shows the poet's faith in God and her belief that she is loved by Him.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Let love, which is most holy, be most free." Here, the poet is expressing her belief that love should be free. She believes that love should not be restricted or controlled. Love should be allowed to flow freely between two people.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "And what if that loved one, or friend, were gone." Here, the poet is questioning what would happen if the person she loves were to leave her. She is expressing her fear of losing the person she loves.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "It is not love that dies, but only its life." Here, the poet is expressing her belief that love never truly dies. Even if the person she loves were to leave her, the love she feels for them would still exist. It may not be as strong as it once was, but it would still be there.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "And so I say to love, be nothing loth." Here, the poet is encouraging love to be bold and fearless. She believes that love should not be afraid to take risks or make sacrifices.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "But love can hope where reason would despair." Here, the poet is expressing her belief that love can overcome even the most difficult obstacles. She believes that love can give hope where there is none.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "And, though it may not be in love's fair crown." Here, the poet is acknowledging that love may not always be easy. It may not always be the perfect fairytale romance that we all dream of. But even in its imperfection, love is still worth pursuing.
The tenth line of the poem reads, "Love may be a power that comes unseen." Here, the poet is expressing her belief that love is a powerful force that cannot be seen or measured. It is something that exists within us and between us.
The eleventh line of the poem reads, "We know not what we do with thee, O love." Here, the poet is acknowledging that love is a mystery. We do not fully understand it or know how to control it. Love is something that we must surrender to and allow to guide us.
The twelfth and final line of the poem reads, "And life is short, and love is very long." Here, the poet is reminding us that life is short and that we should cherish the time we have with the people we love. Love is a powerful force that can endure even after we are gone.
In conclusion, Sonnet 11 - And therefore if to love can be desert is a beautiful poem that explores the complexities of love. The poet expresses her own feelings of unworthiness and fear of losing the person she loves. But she also acknowledges the power of love and encourages it to be bold and fearless. Love is a mystery that we may never fully understand, but it is a force that can endure even after we are gone.
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