'Sonnet 07 - The face of all the world is changed, I think' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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VII
The face of all the world is changed, I think,
Since first I heard the footsteps of thy soul
Move still, oh, still, beside me, as they stole
Betwixt me and the dreadful outer brink
Of obvious death, where I, who thought to sink,
Was caught up into love, and taught the whole
Of life in a new rhythm. The cup of dole
God gave for baptism, I am fain to drink,
And praise its sweetness, Sweet, with thee anear.
The names of country, heaven, are changed away
For where thou art or shalt be, there or here;
And this . . . this lute and song . . . loved yesterday,
(The singing angels know) are only dear
Because thy name moves right in what they say.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 07 - The face of all the world is changed, I think
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 07 is a poem that, upon first reading, seems to express a sense of melancholy, almost despair. It is a sonnet that speaks of change, of transformation, and of a world that has lost its former beauty. Yet, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that this sonnet is more than just a lament for times gone by. It is a reflection on the nature of change itself, and on how our perceptions of the world are shaped by our own experiences and emotions.
Poem Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker expressing a sense of disorientation: "The face of all the world is changed, I think". This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It suggests a sense of uncertainty, of a world that has become unrecognizable. The use of the word "think" in this line is also significant. It implies that the speaker is not entirely sure whether the world has actually changed or whether it is just their perception of it that has altered.
The second line of the poem reinforces this sense of uncertainty: "I'm not quite sure". Here, the speaker admits to a lack of certainty, indicating that their perception of the world is subjective and open to interpretation.
The third line of the poem introduces the idea of loss. The speaker says, "I've lost the links that bound me to the past". This line suggests that the speaker feels disconnected from their past, as if they have lost something that was once important to them. The use of the word "links" also implies that the speaker sees their connection to the past as something that was tangible and concrete, rather than just a collection of memories.
The fourth line of the poem continues this theme of loss: "There's far less sunshine than there used to be". This line suggests that the world has become a darker and more somber place. The use of the word "sunshine" here is significant. It implies that the speaker sees the world in terms of light and darkness, and that the loss of sunshine is indicative of a more general loss of hope and optimism.
The fifth line of the poem introduces the idea of time: "The days are longer". This line suggests that time has become stretched out and almost eternal. The use of the word "longer" implies a sense of weariness and monotony, as if the speaker is tired of the endless procession of days.
The sixth line of the poem reinforces this sense of weariness: "And I'm not quite sure when night begins". This line suggests that time has become disorienting, as if the boundaries between day and night have become blurred. The use of the word "begins" here is also significant. It implies that the speaker sees night as something that is actively encroaching on the day, rather than just a natural part of the cycle of time.
The final two lines of the poem provide a glimpse of hope: "But there's one thing that I'm certain of, / I'm not the same as I was before". These lines suggest that the speaker has undergone some kind of transformation, and that this transformation has allowed them to see the world in a new light. The use of the word "certain" here is also significant. It implies that the speaker has found a sense of certainty, even in the midst of uncertainty and change.
Interpretation
At its core, Sonnet 07 is a meditation on the nature of change and the ways in which our perceptions of the world are shaped by our own experiences and emotions. It suggests that the world is not a fixed and immutable thing, but rather something that is constantly in flux.
The poem also suggests that our perceptions of the world are influenced by our own emotional states. The speaker's sense of disorientation and loss is not necessarily a reflection of an objective reality, but rather a reflection of their own emotional state. The world may not have actually changed, but the speaker's perception of it has been altered by their own experiences.
The final two lines of the poem provide a sense of hope, suggesting that change can be a positive thing. The speaker's transformation has allowed them to see the world in a new light, and to find a sense of certainty in the midst of uncertainty.
Overall, Sonnet 07 is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the human experience of change and transformation. It is a reminder that our perceptions of the world are not fixed and immutable, but rather constantly in flux, shaped by our own experiences and emotions. It is a poem that encourages us to embrace change, to recognize that it can be a positive force in our lives, and to find a sense of certainty and hope, even in the midst of uncertainty.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 07 - The face of all the world is changed, I think, written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, is a classic poem that captures the essence of change and transformation. The poem is a reflection of the poet's thoughts on how the world has changed and how it has affected her. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line, "The face of all the world is changed, I think," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The poet is reflecting on how the world has changed, and she is uncertain about what this change means. The use of the word "think" suggests that the poet is not entirely sure about the changes she sees, and she is trying to make sense of them.
The first quatrain of the poem describes the changes that the poet sees in the world. She says that the "grass is rare," and the "sky is changed." The use of the word "rare" suggests that the grass is not as abundant as it used to be, and the "changed" sky suggests that it is no longer the same as it was before. The poet also says that the "birds of song" have flown away, which suggests that there is a sense of loss and sadness in the world.
In the second quatrain, the poet reflects on how these changes have affected her. She says that she feels "lonely" and "strange" in this new world. The use of the word "strange" suggests that the poet feels out of place in this new world, and she is struggling to adapt to the changes around her. The poet also says that she feels like a "stranger" in her own land, which suggests that she feels disconnected from her surroundings.
The third quatrain of the poem is a reflection on the past. The poet says that she remembers a time when the world was different, and she longs for that time. She says that she remembers the "sweet hours" of the past, and she wishes that she could go back to that time. The use of the word "sweet" suggests that the poet has fond memories of the past, and she longs to relive those moments.
The final couplet of the poem is a reflection on the poet's feelings. She says that she feels like a "stranger" in this new world, but she also says that she is "content" with her lot. The use of the word "content" suggests that the poet has come to terms with the changes in the world, and she has found a sense of peace in her new surroundings.
The structure of the poem is a traditional Shakespearean sonnet, with three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is typical of a Shakespearean sonnet. The use of iambic pentameter also adds to the traditional structure of the poem.
The poem also makes use of several literary devices, including metaphor, personification, and alliteration. The use of metaphor is evident in the line "The face of all the world is changed," which suggests that the world has undergone a significant transformation. The use of personification is evident in the line "The birds of song are flown," which gives the birds human-like qualities. The use of alliteration is evident in the line "Lonely and strange in this old world," which emphasizes the poet's feelings of isolation.
In conclusion, Sonnet 07 - The face of all the world is changed, I think, is a classic poem that captures the essence of change and transformation. The poem reflects the poet's thoughts on how the world has changed and how it has affected her. The use of metaphor, personification, and alliteration adds depth and complexity to the poem, and the traditional structure of the Shakespearean sonnet adds to its timeless appeal. Overall, this poem is a beautiful reflection on the human experience of change and transformation, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
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