'Sonnet 18 - I never gave a lock of hair away' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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XVIII
I never gave a lock of hair away
To a man, Dearest, except this to thee,
Which now upon my fingers thoughtfully,
I ring out to the full brown length and say
'Take it.' My day of youth went yesterday;
My hair no longer bounds to my foot's glee,
Nor plant I it from rose or myrtle-tree,
As girls do, any more: it only may
Now shade on two pale cheeks the mark of tears,
Taught drooping from the head that hangs aside
Through sorrow's trick. I thought the funeral-shears
Would take this first, but Love is justified,—
Take it thou,—finding pure, from all those years,
The kiss my mother left here when she died.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 18 - I never gave a lock of hair away: A Critical Interpretation
Elizabeth Barrett Browning is one of the most revered poets of the Victorian era. Her literary works showcase an impressive range of emotions, from love and joy to grief and despair. In this article, we will delve into her famous poem, Sonnet 18 - I never gave a lock of hair away, and explore its unique literary features and themes.
The Poem
Before we analyze the poem, it's important to first understand its context. Sonnet 18 - I never gave a lock of hair away is part of a collection of sonnets that Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote to her husband, Robert Browning. These sonnets were written during the early years of their love affair, which was initially kept a secret from Elizabeth's father due to his disapproval of Robert.
The poem itself is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem that typically follows a specific rhyme scheme and structure. Sonnet 18 - I never gave a lock of hair away follows the traditional structure of a Petrarchan sonnet, which is divided into two parts: an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The rhyme scheme is also traditional, with the octave following the rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA and the sestet following the rhyme scheme of CDCDCD.
Here is the complete text of Sonnet 18 - I never gave a lock of hair away:
I never gave a lock of hair away To a man, Dearest, except this to thee, Which now upon my fingers thoughtfully, I ring out to the full brown length and say "Take it." My day of youth went yesterday; My hair no longer bounds to my foot's glee, Nor plant I it from rose or myrtle-tree As girls do, any more: it only may Now shade on two pale cheeks the mark of tears, Taught drooping from the head that hangs aside Through sorrow's trick. I thought the funeral-shears Would take this first, but Love is justified,— Take it thou,—finding pure, from all those years, The kiss my mother left here when she died.
Analysis
Now that we have the poem's context and structure down, let's dive into its literary features and themes.
Form and Structure
As mentioned earlier, Sonnet 18 - I never gave a lock of hair away follows the Petrarchan sonnet structure of an octave and a sestet. The octave sets up the poem's narrative, where Elizabeth Barrett Browning talks about her hair and how it no longer holds the same significance it used to. In the sestet, she reveals the true meaning behind the lock of hair she is giving to her husband, which is her mother's kiss.
The rhyme scheme of the poem is also significant. The ABBAABBA rhyme scheme of the octave gives it a sense of completeness and finality. It sets up the narrative and establishes a sense of closure. The CDCDCD rhyme scheme of the sestet, on the other hand, creates a sense of progression and movement. It propels the poem forward and reveals the true meaning behind the lock of hair.
Imagery
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's use of imagery in Sonnet 18 - I never gave a lock of hair away is subtle yet effective. The poem starts with the image of a lock of hair, which symbolizes youth and beauty. The metaphor of youth as a "day" is also used, which creates a sense of fleetingness and impermanence. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's use of the phrase "my hair no longer bounds to my foot's glee" also creates an image of freedom and joy that is no longer present.
The image of the lock of hair is juxtaposed with the image of tears and sorrow in the sestet. The phrase "two pale cheeks the mark of tears" creates a vivid image of grief and loss. The image of the "head that hangs aside through sorrow's trick" also adds to the overall melancholy tone of the poem.
Themes
The themes of Sonnet 18 - I never gave a lock of hair away are complex and layered. One of the primary themes of the poem is the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's hair, which was once a symbol of her youth and beauty, is now a reminder of her mortality. The poem explores the bittersweet nature of growing older and the loss of youthful joy and freedom.
Another theme of the poem is the power of love and memory. The lock of hair that Elizabeth Barrett Browning gives to her husband is not just a physical object but a symbol of the love they share. The true meaning behind the lock of hair, which is her mother's kiss, also highlights the importance of memory and family.
Style and Tone
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's writing style in Sonnet 18 - I never gave a lock of hair away is simple yet poignant. The language she uses is straightforward, yet the poem is filled with complex emotions and themes. The tone of the poem is melancholic and reflective, with a sense of finality and acceptance.
Conclusion
Sonnet 18 - I never gave a lock of hair away is a beautiful and moving poem that explores themes of time, love, and memory. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's use of imagery, structure, and language is masterful and creates a sense of depth and meaning. The poem is a testament to the power of love and the importance of memory in our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 18 - I never gave a lock of hair away is a classic poem written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era. This sonnet is a beautiful expression of love and devotion, and it has been admired by readers for generations. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with the speaker declaring that she has never given away a lock of her hair as a token of love. This statement sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the speaker's love for her beloved. The speaker goes on to say that she has never written a love letter, nor has she ever kissed her beloved's name. These lines suggest that the speaker is a reserved and private person, who expresses her love in more subtle ways.
The second quatrain of the poem is where the speaker begins to describe her beloved. She says that her beloved's hair is like gold, and that his eyes are brighter than the stars in the sky. These lines are a beautiful example of Browning's skill as a poet. The comparison of the beloved's hair to gold is a metaphor, which suggests that he is precious and valuable to the speaker. The comparison of his eyes to stars is also a metaphor, which suggests that he is bright and shining.
The third quatrain of the poem is where the speaker begins to express her fear that her beloved will one day leave her. She says that she fears that he will grow tired of her, and that he will find someone else to love. These lines are a poignant expression of the speaker's vulnerability and insecurity. They also suggest that the speaker's love for her beloved is not just a feeling, but a conscious choice that she makes every day.
The final couplet of the poem is where the speaker resolves her fears and doubts. She says that even if her beloved were to leave her, she would still love him. This line is a powerful expression of the speaker's devotion and commitment. It suggests that her love is not conditional, but unconditional. The final line of the poem, "But ah! we love, we love!," is a beautiful conclusion to the poem. It suggests that love is a powerful force that transcends all fears and doubts.
The structure of the poem is a classic Shakespearean sonnet, which consists of three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is typical of Shakespearean sonnets. The use of iambic pentameter, which consists of ten syllables per line, gives the poem a musical quality. The use of enjambment, which is the continuation of a sentence from one line to the next, creates a sense of flow and movement in the poem.
The language of the poem is simple and direct, yet it is also rich in imagery and metaphor. The use of metaphors, such as the comparison of the beloved's hair to gold and his eyes to stars, creates a vivid and memorable image in the reader's mind. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "love" in the final couplet, creates a sense of emphasis and importance.
In conclusion, Sonnet 18 - I never gave a lock of hair away is a beautiful expression of love and devotion. The poem explores themes of love, vulnerability, and commitment, and it does so in a simple yet powerful way. The structure and language of the poem are classic examples of Shakespearean sonnets, and they contribute to the poem's musical quality and vivid imagery. This poem is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to be admired and appreciated for generations to come.
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