'Sonnet III' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart !
Unlike our uses and our destinies.
Our ministering two angels look surprise
On one another, as they strike athwart
Their wings in passing. Thou, bethink thee, art
A guest for queens to social pageantries,
With gages from a hundred brighter eyes
Than tears even can make mine, to play thy part
Of chief musician. What hast thou to do
With looking from the lattice-lights at me,
A poor, tired, wandering singer, singing through
The dark, and leaning up a cypress tree ?
The chrism is on thine head,--on mine, the dew,--
And Death must dig the level where these agree.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet III: A Masterpiece of Love Poetry
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet III is a masterpiece of love poetry that captures the essence of love and the heights of romance. The poem is part of a series of sonnets, known as Sonnets from the Portuguese, which were written by the poet during her courtship with Robert Browning. In this sonnet, Barrett Browning expresses her love for her beloved, and the depth of her feelings is evident in every line. The poem is a testament to the power of love and the magic it can bring to life.
The Structure of the Sonnet
Sonnet III follows the traditional Shakespearean sonnet structure, with fourteen lines of iambic pentameter divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDC DCD, and the poem is written in the first person. The tone of the poem is tender and passionate, and the poet uses a range of literary and linguistic devices to convey her emotions.
The Theme of Love
The central theme of Sonnet III is love, and the poet's deep and abiding affection for her beloved. The poem is a celebration of the transcendent power of love and the transformative effect it can have on a person's life. The poet portrays love as a force that can uplift the soul, and make life worth living. The poem is a hymn to the joys of love, and the poet's passion is evident in every line.
The Language of the Poem
The language of Sonnet III is rich and evocative, and the poet uses a range of poetic devices to convey her feelings. The opening line of the poem, "Unlike are we, unlike, O princely heart!" is a metaphor that highlights the differences between the poet and her beloved. The use of the word "princely" suggests that the poet sees her beloved as a noble and regal figure.
The second quatrain begins with the line, "Thou mine, I thine", which is a simple yet powerful statement of the poet's love. The use of the word "thou" suggests that the poet is speaking directly to her beloved, while the repetition of "mine" and "thine" emphasizes the reciprocal nature of their love.
The final couplet of the poem is particularly powerful, and the use of the word "grace" suggests that the poet sees her love as a gift from God. The final line of the poem, "I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life!" is a statement of the depth and intensity of the poet's love.
The Poet's Voice
The voice of the poet in Sonnet III is one of tenderness and passion, and the poem is a testament to the depth of her emotions. The use of the first person voice throughout the poem suggests that the poet is expressing her own feelings, rather than commenting on the feelings of others. The poet's voice is sincere and heartfelt, and the poem is a genuine expression of love.
The Poem's Historical and Cultural Context
Sonnet III was written during a time of great social and cultural change, and the poem reflects some of the attitudes and values of the Victorian era. The poem's focus on love and romance reflects the Victorian fascination with courtship and marriage, and the poet's use of traditional poetic forms reflects the influence of classical literature on Victorian culture.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet III is a masterpiece of love poetry that captures the essence of romance and the transformative power of love. The poem is a hymn to the joys of love, and the poet's passion and sincerity are evident in every line. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet III is a testament to the enduring power of love, and a reminder of the beauty and magic that can be found in life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet III is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. The sonnet is a beautiful expression of love and admiration for the beloved, and it is a testament to the power of love to overcome all obstacles. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the sonnet, and we will examine the ways in which Browning uses these elements to convey her message.
The sonnet is a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter. Sonnet III is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line contains ten syllables, with the stress falling on every other syllable. The rhyme scheme of the sonnet is ABBA ABBA CDC DCD, which is a variation of the Petrarchan sonnet form. The Petrarchan sonnet form originated in Italy in the 14th century and was popularized by the Italian poet Petrarch. The form was later adopted by English poets, including Shakespeare and Browning.
The sonnet is divided into two parts, the octave (the first eight lines) and the sestet (the last six lines). The octave sets up the problem or situation, while the sestet provides the resolution or conclusion. In Sonnet III, the octave describes the speaker’s admiration for the beloved, while the sestet expresses the speaker’s desire to be with the beloved.
The sonnet begins with the speaker expressing her admiration for the beloved’s beauty. She describes the beloved’s eyes as “deep and bright” and her hair as “dark and wild.” The speaker also notes the beloved’s “graceful ease” and “gentle voice.” The speaker’s admiration for the beloved is evident in her use of hyperbole, such as when she describes the beloved’s eyes as “deeper than the depth / Of waters stilled at even.”
The octave ends with the speaker acknowledging that her admiration for the beloved is not unique, as others also admire her. The speaker notes that the beloved is “beloved of all,” and that her beauty is “a common heritage.” This acknowledgement sets up the conflict or problem that the speaker faces, which is that she is not the only one who desires the beloved.
The sestet begins with the speaker expressing her desire to be with the beloved. She describes her longing to “hold thy hand / And gaze upon thy face.” The speaker’s desire is intensified by the fact that she knows that others also desire the beloved. She notes that “many a suitor seeks thy hand,” and that she is “but one, who loves / Thee more than he who with a hollow jest / Thy beauty would declare.”
The sestet ends with the speaker expressing her hope that the beloved will choose her over the other suitors. She notes that she is “not all unworthy of a place / In thy affections,” and that she is “true and pure.” The speaker’s hope is expressed through the use of the conditional tense, as she says “if thou shouldst choose me.” This conditional tense leaves the resolution of the sonnet open-ended, as the reader is left to wonder whether the beloved will choose the speaker or one of the other suitors.
The themes of Sonnet III are love, admiration, and desire. The sonnet is a beautiful expression of the power of love to overcome all obstacles. The speaker’s admiration for the beloved is evident throughout the sonnet, and her desire to be with the beloved is intensified by the fact that others also desire her. The sonnet is a testament to the power of love to overcome jealousy and competition, and it is a reminder that true love is pure and true.
The language of Sonnet III is rich and poetic. Browning uses a variety of literary devices, such as hyperbole, metaphor, and personification, to convey her message. The use of hyperbole is evident in the speaker’s description of the beloved’s eyes as “deeper than the depth / Of waters stilled at even.” The use of metaphor is evident in the speaker’s description of the beloved’s hair as “dark and wild,” which suggests that the beloved is untamed and free-spirited. The use of personification is evident in the speaker’s description of the beloved’s voice as “gentle,” which suggests that the beloved is kind and compassionate.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet III is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. The sonnet is a beautiful expression of love and admiration for the beloved, and it is a testament to the power of love to overcome all obstacles. The sonnet’s structure, language, and themes all work together to convey Browning’s message, and the sonnet remains a powerful reminder of the enduring power of love.
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