'Sonnet 21 - Say over again, and yet once over again' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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XXI
Say over again, and yet once over again,
That thou dost love me. Though the word repeated
Should seem 'a cuckoo-song,' as thou dost treat it,
Remember, never to the hill or plain,
Valley and wood, without her cuckoo-strain
Comes the fresh Spring in all her green completed.
Beloved, I, amid the darkness greeted
By a doubtful spirit-voice, in that doubt's pain
Cry, 'Speak once more—thou lovest! 'Who can fear
Too many stars, though each in heaven shall roll,
Too many flowers, though each shall crown the year?
Say thou dost love me, love me, love me—toll
The silver iterance!—only minding, Dear,
To love me also in silence with thy soul.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnet 21: Say Over Again, and Yet Once Over Again"
As one of the most renowned poets of the Victorian era, Elizabeth Barrett Browning is known for her insightful and emotionally charged poetry. Her works often deal with themes of love, loss, and the human condition, and her sonnets are particularly celebrated for their beauty and complexity. One of her most famous sonnets is "Sonnet 21: Say Over Again, and Yet Once Over Again," which explores the idea of memory and its power to transcend time and space.
Poem Analysis
The poem opens with a command to "say over again" a phrase that is left unnamed. The speaker then repeats this command, adding "and yet once over again." This repetition creates a sense of urgency and insistence, as if the speaker is desperate to ensure that this phrase is remembered. The phrase itself is not given, but we can assume that it is something that is important to the speaker, something that they want to preserve.
The second quatrain introduces the idea of memory, which is described as a "sweet habit of a sacred joy." This phrase suggests that memory is not just a passive process of recalling events, but an active and pleasurable experience. The use of the word "habit" also implies that memory is something that can be cultivated and developed over time, like a skill or a discipline.
The third quatrain continues to explore the theme of memory, describing it as a "throne / Where love sits crowned." This metaphor suggests that memory is not just a personal experience, but something that is shared between people. The idea of love being "crowned" on this throne suggests that memory is a source of joy and celebration, rather than a burden or a source of pain.
The final couplet brings the poem to a close with a powerful statement: "O, Love, repeat / And yet repeat, till love's joy seems complete." Here, the repetition that has been present throughout the poem is transformed into a call for love to repeat itself. The use of the word "complete" suggests that love is something that can never be fully realized, but must be continually sought after and experienced anew.
Interpretation
At its core, "Sonnet 21" is a meditation on the power of memory and its connection to love. The repetition of the phrase "say over again" suggests a desire to hold onto something that is slipping away, whether it is a memory or a feeling. This desire is further emphasized by the repetition of the command itself, as if the speaker is trying to convince themselves of the importance of what is being remembered.
The idea that memory is a "sweet habit" suggests that it is something that is actively cultivated, rather than something that simply happens to us. This fits with the Victorian belief that self-improvement was a moral obligation, and that one should always strive to be better. The link between memory and love also suggests that memory is not just a personal experience, but something that is shared between people. This fits with Browning's larger body of work, which often deals with the idea of interconnectedness and the importance of relationships.
The metaphor of the throne also suggests that memory is something that holds a special place in our lives, something that is worthy of respect and reverence. The fact that love is "crowned" on this throne suggests that it is a source of joy and celebration, rather than something to be feared or avoided. This fits with the Victorian ideal of romantic love as a noble and uplifting emotion, one that could transform even the most mundane aspects of life.
The final couplet, with its call for love to repeat itself, suggests that love is something that can never be fully realized, but must be continually sought after and experienced anew. This fits with Browning's larger body of work, which often deals with the idea of a journey or a quest. The fact that love's joy can never be "complete" suggests that there is always more to be discovered, always more to strive for.
Conclusion
In "Sonnet 21: Say Over Again, and Yet Once Over Again," Elizabeth Barrett Browning explores the themes of memory and love with her characteristic insight and emotional depth. The repetition of the phrase "say over again" creates a sense of urgency and insistence, while the metaphor of memory as a throne suggests that it is something that is worthy of respect and reverence. The final couplet, with its call for love to repeat itself, suggests that love is something that can never be fully realized, but must be continually sought after and experienced anew. Overall, this sonnet is a powerful meditation on the human experience and the power of memory and love to shape our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 21 - Say over again, and yet once over again by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a beautiful expression of love and the power of words. In this article, we will analyze and explain this poem in detail.
The poem begins with the line "Say over again, and yet once over again." This line sets the tone for the entire poem. It is a plea to repeat something that has already been said. The repetition of this line emphasizes the importance of what is being said. The speaker wants to hear these words again and again because they hold so much meaning.
The next line, "That word, that burning word, reprieve," is a powerful statement. The word "reprieve" means to cancel or postpone a punishment. In this context, it is a word that brings relief and comfort. The speaker is asking for this word to be repeated because it brings them comfort. It is a word that has the power to ease their pain and suffering.
The third line, "And let the music of your voice unfold," is a beautiful expression of the power of words. The speaker wants to hear the words again so that they can experience the beauty of the person's voice. The music of their voice is like a soothing balm that can heal their wounds.
The fourth line, "The sweetness of the mercy in your face," is a reference to the person's kindness and compassion. The speaker is asking for this kindness to be repeated so that they can feel it again. The mercy in the person's face is like a ray of sunshine that can brighten even the darkest of days.
The fifth line, "Repeat, repeat, the low, delicious tone," is a repetition of the first line. This repetition emphasizes the importance of what is being said. The low, delicious tone of the person's voice is like a melody that can transport the speaker to another world.
The sixth line, "Wherewith you said 'I love you,' to your own," is a reference to the person's love for themselves. The speaker is asking for this love to be repeated so that they can feel it too. The love that the person has for themselves is like a foundation that can support them through anything.
The seventh line, "And half-enfolded me, and sighed and kissed," is a beautiful expression of intimacy. The speaker wants to relive this moment of intimacy again and again. The half-enfolded embrace, the sigh, and the kiss are all expressions of love that the speaker wants to experience again.
The eighth line, "And clasped your hands the closer, while you cried," is a reference to the person's emotional state. The speaker wants to relive this moment of vulnerability and emotion. The person's hands clasping tighter is a symbol of their strength and support.
The ninth line, "And kissed my forehead, saying, 'Love, forgive,'" is a beautiful expression of forgiveness. The speaker wants to hear these words again and again because they hold so much meaning. The kiss on the forehead is a symbol of the person's love and respect.
The final line, "Distracted in my pain, I caught the words," is a reference to the speaker's emotional state. The pain that the speaker is feeling is so intense that they are distracted. However, they still catch the words that are being spoken. This is a testament to the power of the words and the importance of repeating them.
In conclusion, Sonnet 21 - Say over again, and yet once over again by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a beautiful expression of love and the power of words. The repetition of certain lines emphasizes the importance of what is being said. The poem is a plea to repeat something that has already been said because it holds so much meaning. The power of the words is like a soothing balm that can heal the speaker's wounds. This poem is a testament to the power of love and the importance of expressing it through words.
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