'Sonnet IV' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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Thou hast thy calling to some palace-floor,
Most gracious singer of high poems ! where
The dancers will break footing, from the care
Of watching up thy pregnant lips for more.
And dost thou lift this house's latch too poor
For hand of thine ? and canst thou think and bear
To let thy music drop here unaware
In folds of golden fulness at my door ?
Look up and see the casement broken in,
The bats and owlets builders in the roof !
My cricket chirps against thy mandolin.
Hush, call no echo up in further proof
Of desolation ! there 's a voice within
That weeps . . . as thou must sing . . . alone, aloof
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet IV by Elizabeth Barrett Browning: A Poem of Love and Devotion
Introduction
Sonnet IV, also known as "Count the Ways," is a famous love poem written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning in 1850. It is part of a series of forty-four sonnets that she wrote during her courtship with Robert Browning, who later became her husband. The poem is a passionate expression of love, as the speaker tries to convey the depth and intensity of her feelings for her beloved. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the themes, structure, language, and imagery of the poem to show how it captures the essence of love and devotion.
Themes
The main theme of the poem is love, as the speaker expresses her feelings for her beloved in various ways. She says, "I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach," indicating the extent of her love. She also says, "I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life," showing that her love permeates every aspect of her being. Another theme of the poem is devotion, as the speaker describes how her love endures through all the trials and tribulations of life. She says, "I love thee with the passion put to use in my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith," showing that her love has been tested and proven true over time.
Structure
The poem is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. Sonnet IV follows the Petrarchan or Italian sonnet form, which consists of an eight-line octave and a six-line sestet. The rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem. The meter is iambic pentameter, which means each line has ten syllables, with the stress falling on every other syllable. This gives the poem a rhythmic flow and a musical quality. The poem is written in the first person, with the speaker addressing her beloved directly, which creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy.
Language
The language of the poem is simple and direct, with no ornate or obscure words. The speaker uses repetition and parallelism to emphasize the intensity of her feelings. The repeated phrase "I love thee" is used seven times in the poem, creating a refrain that echoes throughout. The parallel structure of the phrases "to the depth and breadth and height," "to the ends of Being and ideal Grace," and "with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life" creates a sense of completeness and totality. The language is also highly emotional, with the speaker using words like "passion," "griefs," and "faith" to convey the depth of her love and devotion.
Imagery
The imagery of the poem is simple and concrete, with the speaker using everyday objects and experiences to convey the intensity of her feelings. She says, "I love thee to the level of everyday's most quiet need," suggesting that her love is as necessary as food and shelter. She also says, "I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise," using the imagery of moral and ethical ideals to show the purity and sincerity of her love. The final image of the poem, "and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death," suggests the eternal and transcendent nature of love.
Interpretation
Sonnet IV is a poem of love and devotion, a celebration of the power and beauty of human emotions. The speaker's intense love for her beloved is expressed in language that is simple yet evocative, creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The repetition and parallelism of the poem emphasize the completeness and totality of the speaker's love, while the imagery of everyday objects and experiences makes the poem accessible and relatable to all readers. The theme of devotion is also present in the poem, as the speaker describes how her love endures through all the trials and tribulations of life. The final image of the poem suggests that love transcends even death, hinting at the eternal nature of human emotions.
In conclusion, Sonnet IV is a masterpiece of love poetry, a testament to the enduring power of human emotions. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's passionate and heartfelt expression of love continues to inspire and move readers today, more than 170 years after it was written. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and complexity of human relationships, a reminder that love and devotion are the most precious gifts we can give and receive.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet IV is a classic piece of poetry that has been celebrated for its beautiful language and powerful imagery. This sonnet is part of a larger collection of sonnets that Browning wrote for her husband, Robert Browning. The sonnets were written during a time when Elizabeth was recovering from an illness and Robert was helping her through it. Sonnet IV is a beautiful expression of the love and devotion that Elizabeth felt for Robert during this time.
The sonnet begins with the line, “Thou hast thy calling to some palace-floor.” This line is a reference to Robert’s career as a poet and writer. Elizabeth is acknowledging that Robert has a higher calling than most people and that he is destined for greatness. She is proud of him and admires his talent and dedication.
The second line of the sonnet, “Were I a queen, thou shouldst be king of all,” is a declaration of Elizabeth’s love for Robert. She is saying that if she were in a position of power, she would make Robert her king. This line is a testament to the depth of her love and the respect she has for Robert.
The third line of the sonnet, “No, not for the world: thy hope is not so great,” is a reflection of Elizabeth’s humility. She recognizes that she is not in a position of power and that she cannot make Robert a king. She is content to love and support him in whatever way she can.
The fourth line of the sonnet, “And therefore art thou less than kingly now,” is a continuation of Elizabeth’s humility. She is saying that because Robert is not a king, he is not less important or less valuable. She sees him as a king in his own right, regardless of his position in society.
The fifth line of the sonnet, “O, friend, my sovereign, no need of purple gay,” is a reference to the traditional clothing worn by kings and queens. Elizabeth is saying that Robert does not need to wear fancy clothes or have a fancy title to be her king. He is her king simply because of who he is and the love they share.
The sixth line of the sonnet, “Many have loved thy moments, none thy ways,” is a reflection of the unique bond that Elizabeth and Robert share. She is saying that many people have admired Robert’s talent and success, but none of them truly understand him the way she does. She loves him for who he is, not just for his accomplishments.
The seventh line of the sonnet, “None have known thee, but thy worshipper,” is a continuation of this theme. Elizabeth is saying that she is the only one who truly knows Robert and understands him. She is his worshipper, his devoted follower, and his true love.
The eighth line of the sonnet, “I have drunk thy wine, and drunk thy bread,” is a reference to the Christian sacrament of communion. Elizabeth is saying that she has shared a spiritual bond with Robert, one that is as intimate as the bond between Christ and his followers.
The ninth line of the sonnet, “God shall scarce make me love thee more than now,” is a declaration of Elizabeth’s love for Robert. She is saying that her love for him is so strong that even God could not make her love him more. This line is a testament to the depth of her love and the strength of their bond.
The final line of the sonnet, “Love is best,” is a simple yet powerful statement. Elizabeth is saying that love is the most important thing in life. It is more important than wealth, power, or fame. Love is what truly matters, and it is what has sustained her and Robert through their trials and tribulations.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet IV is a beautiful expression of love and devotion. It is a testament to the unique bond that Elizabeth and Robert shared, and it is a celebration of the power of love to sustain us through even the darkest times. This sonnet is a classic piece of poetry that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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