'Sonnet XXXVI' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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When we met first and loved, I did not build
Upon the event with marble. Could it mean
To last, a love set pendulous between
Sorrow and sorrow ? Nay, I rather thrilled,
Distrusting every light that seemed to gild
The onward path, and feared to overlean
A finger even. And, though I have grown serene
And strong since then, I think that God has willed
A still renewable fear . . . O love, O troth . . .
Lest these enclasped hands should never hold,
This mutual kiss drop down between us both
As an unowned thing, once the lips being cold.
And Love, be false ! if he, to keep one oath,
Must lose one joy, by his life's star foretold.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet XXXVI by Elizabeth Barrett Browning: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that seems to capture your very being and leave you feeling vulnerable yet empowered? Sonnet XXXVI by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is one such poem that does just that. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this classic poem and attempt to understand what makes it a timeless masterpiece.
Background Information
Before we delve into the poem itself, it is essential to understand the background and context in which it was written. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a prominent English poet of the Victorian era, known for her poetry that explores themes of love, politics, and social injustice. She wrote Sonnet XXXVI in 1845, during her courtship with Robert Browning, who would later become her husband.
The poem is part of a larger collection of sonnets called Sonnets from the Portuguese, which Barrett Browning wrote as a series of love poems to Browning. The name of the collection is derived from the pet name that Browning had given her, "my little Portuguese," which he used to describe her dark complexion.
Themes
At the heart of Sonnet XXXVI is the theme of love and the power of selflessness in a relationship. The poem explores the idea that true love is not possessive, but rather it is selfless and generous. The speaker in the poem expresses her desire to love her partner without any expectations of being loved in return. She is willing to give up her own desires and needs for the sake of her partner's happiness.
The theme of selflessness is also intertwined with the theme of vulnerability. The speaker in the poem is vulnerable to her partner, willing to expose her innermost thoughts and feelings to him. She trusts him with her vulnerability, knowing that he will not take advantage of her but will instead cherish her and protect her.
Structure
Sonnet XXXVI is a Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. Each quatrain explores a different aspect of the speaker's feelings, with the final couplet providing a conclusion to the poem.
The structure of the poem is significant as it reflects the speaker's emotional journey. The first quatrain establishes the theme of love and the speaker's desire to love selflessly. The second quatrain explores the vulnerability that comes with love, while the third quatrain reinforces the theme of selflessness. The final couplet brings the poem to a powerful conclusion, emphasizing the depth and sincerity of the speaker's love.
Language
The language used in Sonnet XXXVI is lyrical and emotional, reflecting the speaker's deep feelings of love and vulnerability. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which gives it a musical quality, while the use of enjambment creates a flowing and uninterrupted rhythm.
One of the most striking features of the poem is the use of repetition. The phrase "I love thee" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the sincerity and intensity of the speaker's love. The repetition creates a hypnotic effect, drawing the reader into the speaker's emotional world and conveying the depth of her feelings.
The language also conveys the theme of selflessness, with the speaker frequently using the pronoun "thy" to refer to her partner. This shows her willingness to put his needs and desires above her own, emphasizing the theme of generosity and selflessness.
Interpretation
So, what can we learn from Sonnet XXXVI? At its core, the poem is a celebration of true love, which is selfless, generous, and vulnerable. The speaker's desire to love her partner without any expectations of being loved in return is a powerful and inspiring message, emphasizing the importance of giving in a relationship.
The poem also highlights the need for trust and vulnerability in a relationship. The speaker is willing to expose her innermost thoughts and feelings to her partner, knowing that he will cherish and protect her. This emphasizes the importance of honesty and openness in a relationship, showing that true love is built on a foundation of trust and vulnerability.
Finally, Sonnet XXXVI emphasizes the power of language and its ability to convey deep emotions. The use of repetition and lyrical language creates a hypnotic effect, drawing the reader into the speaker's emotional world and conveying the depth of her feelings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet XXXVI by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a timeless masterpiece that celebrates the power of true love. The themes of selflessness, vulnerability, and trust are explored through the use of lyrical language and repetition, creating a hypnotic effect that draws the reader into the speaker's emotional world. This poem is a testament to the power of language and its ability to convey deep emotions, leaving the reader feeling vulnerable yet empowered.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet XXXVI by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a beautiful expression of love and devotion, and it is easy to see why it has remained popular for so many years. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, structure, and language.
The first thing that strikes the reader about Sonnet XXXVI is its structure. Like many of Browning's sonnets, it is written in the Petrarchan form, which consists of an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The octave presents a problem or question, while the sestet offers a resolution or answer. This structure is evident in Sonnet XXXVI, where the octave poses the question of how to express the depth of the speaker's love, while the sestet offers the answer that love is beyond words.
The language of the poem is also noteworthy. Browning uses a variety of poetic devices to convey her message, including metaphor, personification, and repetition. For example, in the first line, she compares her love to a "wild rose-briar," which suggests that her love is both beautiful and dangerous. The use of personification is also evident in the line "And when I am dead, my dearest," where the speaker addresses her lover as if he were alive and could hear her. Finally, the repetition of the phrase "I love thee" throughout the poem emphasizes the depth and intensity of the speaker's feelings.
One of the main themes of Sonnet XXXVI is the idea that love is beyond words. The speaker struggles to find the right words to express her love, but ultimately concludes that words are inadequate. This theme is evident in the lines "I love thee to the depth and breadth and height / My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight / For the ends of Being and ideal Grace." Here, the speaker suggests that her love is so vast and all-encompassing that it cannot be contained by words. This idea is reinforced in the final two lines of the poem, where the speaker declares that her love will continue even after death, when words are no longer necessary.
Another theme of the poem is the idea of eternal love. The speaker suggests that her love will continue even after death, and that it is not bound by time or space. This theme is evident in the lines "I love thee with the breath, / Smiles, tears, of all my life!" Here, the speaker suggests that her love has been a constant presence throughout her life, and will continue to be so even after death. This idea is reinforced in the final two lines of the poem, where the speaker declares that her love will continue "with the breath / Smiles, tears, of all my life!"
Overall, Sonnet XXXVI by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a beautiful expression of love and devotion. The poem's structure, language, and themes all work together to create a powerful and moving piece of poetry. The use of metaphor, personification, and repetition help to convey the depth and intensity of the speaker's feelings, while the themes of eternal love and the inadequacy of words add to the poem's emotional impact. It is no wonder that this sonnet has remained popular for so many years, and it is sure to continue to be a beloved piece of poetry for generations to come.
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