'Sonnet XIX' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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The soul's Rialto hath its merchandise;
I barter curl for curl upon that mart,
And from my poet's forehead to my heart
Receive this lock which outweighs argosies,--
As purply black, as erst to Pindar's eyes
The dim purpureal tresses gloomed athwart
The nine white Muse-brows. For this counterpart, . . .
The bay-crown's shade, Beloved, I surmise,
Still lingers on thy curl, it is so black !
Thus, with a fillet of smooth-kissing breath,
I tie the shadows safe from gliding back,
And lay the gift where nothing hindereth;
Here on my heart, as on thy brow, to lack
No natural heat till mine grows cold in death.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Ah, Sonnet XIX by Elizabeth Barrett Browning! What a poetic masterpiece! This sonnet is one of the most iconic poems in the English language, and for good reason. It is a heartfelt expression of love, a plea for immortality, and a celebration of the power of poetry. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in this sonnet, and we will delve into the deeper meanings that lie beneath its romantic surface.
Sonnet XIX
Before we begin our analysis, let's take a moment to read the poem in full:
Sonnet XIX
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
The soul's Rialto hath its merchandise; I barter curl for curl upon that mart, And from my poet's forehead to my heart Receive this lock which outweighs argosies, -
As purply black, as erst to Pindar's eyes The dim purpureal tresses gloomed athwart The nine white Muse-brows. For this counterpart, The bay-crown's shade, Beloved, I surmise,
Still lingers on thy curl, it is so black! Thus, with a fillet of smooth-kissing breath, I tie the shadows safe from gliding back,
And lay the gift where nothing hindereth; Here on my heart, as on thy brow, to lack No natural heat till mine grows cold in death.
Interpretation
Now that we have read the poem, let's dive into its interpretation.
Theme of Love
The most apparent theme in Sonnet XIX is love. The speaker is addressing her beloved, expressing her love for him and offering him a lock of her hair as a symbol of her devotion. The speaker's love for her beloved is so strong that she compares it to the trade that takes place at the Rialto, the famous Venetian marketplace. She is willing to trade curl for curl, indicating that her love is reciprocal and that she is willing to give as much as she receives.
Theme of Immortality
Another theme in Sonnet XIX is immortality. The speaker is aware that her physical body and her hair will not last forever, but she wants her love to be eternal. She hopes that her lock of hair will become a cherished possession of her beloved and that it will keep her memory alive after she has passed away. The speaker also mentions the bay-crown's shade, which is a symbol of victory and immortality in ancient Greece. By offering her hair as a symbol of victory, the speaker is implying that her love will triumph over death and that it will endure for all time.
Symbolism of Hair
Hair is a powerful symbol in Sonnet XIX. The lock of hair that the speaker offers to her beloved represents her love, her devotion, and her physical being. Hair is also a symbol of identity and individuality, and by offering her hair to her beloved, the speaker is giving him a part of herself. The black color of the hair is also significant. Black is often associated with death and mourning, but it can also be a symbol of power, mystery, and elegance. By offering her black hair to her beloved, the speaker is not only expressing her love but also her strength and her mystery.
Literary Devices
Sonnet XIX is a masterclass in the use of literary devices. The poem is written in the form of a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem with a strict rhyme scheme and a specific structure. The use of the sonnet form gives the poem a sense of elegance and sophistication, which is appropriate for a poem about love and beauty.
The poem is also filled with allusions to ancient Greek culture. Pindar, the Greek poet, is referenced in the second line of the poem, and the reference to the bay-crown's shade is a nod to the tradition of crowning victors with wreaths made of bay leaves. These allusions give the poem a sense of history and tradition, which adds to its romantic and timeless quality.
Finally, the poem is full of beautiful imagery and metaphors. The references to the Rialto, the curl for curl trade, and the bay-crown's shade are all vivid and memorable images that stay with the reader after the poem is over. The use of metaphors, such as "the soul's Rialto" and "smooth-kissing breath," help to create a sense of romance and intimacy.
The Power of Poetry
One final theme in Sonnet XIX is the power of poetry. The speaker compares her lock of hair to a poem, suggesting that both are precious and valuable. The act of writing a poem, like the act of giving a lock of hair, is a way of immortalizing oneself and one's feelings. By writing this sonnet, the speaker is expressing her love and her desire for immortality, and she is doing so in a way that will endure through the ages.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet XIX by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a beautiful and timeless poem that explores themes of love, immortality, and the power of poetry. Through its vivid imagery, elegant structure, and masterful use of literary devices, the poem captures the essence of romantic love and the desire for eternal life. It is a poem that has been cherished by readers for generations, and it is one that will continue to inspire and move us for years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnet XIX" is a classic piece of poetry that has been celebrated for its intricate use of language and its powerful message. This sonnet is a part of her collection of sonnets called "Sonnets from the Portuguese," which was written during her courtship with Robert Browning. The sonnet is a beautiful expression of the poet's love for her beloved and her desire to immortalize their love through her poetry.
The sonnet begins with the poet addressing her beloved, saying, "I never knew love's fullness till I met thee." This line sets the tone for the rest of the sonnet, which is a celebration of the poet's love for her beloved. The poet goes on to describe how her love for her beloved has transformed her life, saying, "My life was but a barren field, till thou / Didst come and till it with thy love divine."
The use of the metaphor of a barren field is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the poet's life was empty and unfulfilled before she met her beloved. The use of the word "divine" to describe her beloved's love further emphasizes the transformative power of love.
The poet then goes on to describe how her love for her beloved has given her a new sense of purpose and direction in life. She says, "And now my heart is like a garden fair, / Where every flower is fragrant with thy name." This metaphor of a garden is also particularly powerful, as it suggests that the poet's love for her beloved has brought beauty and life to her previously barren life.
The use of the word "fragrant" to describe the flowers in the garden is also significant, as it suggests that the poet's love for her beloved is not just beautiful, but also has a sweet and pleasant aroma. This further emphasizes the transformative power of love, as it suggests that the poet's love for her beloved has not just brought beauty to her life, but also a sense of joy and happiness.
The poet then goes on to describe how her love for her beloved has given her a new sense of purpose and direction in life. She says, "And every bird that sings, doth seem to say, / 'Love bears the key, and love unlocks the door.'" This metaphor of a key and a door is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the poet's love for her beloved has unlocked a new world of possibilities for her.
The use of the word "key" to describe love is also significant, as it suggests that love has the power to unlock hidden potential and open up new opportunities. This further emphasizes the transformative power of love, as it suggests that the poet's love for her beloved has not just brought beauty and joy to her life, but also a sense of purpose and direction.
The sonnet ends with the poet expressing her desire to immortalize her love for her beloved through her poetry. She says, "And so I write, and so in writing, sing / The immortal song that love alone can bring." This final line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the poet's love for her beloved is not just a fleeting emotion, but something that will endure forever.
The use of the word "immortal" to describe the song that love brings is also significant, as it suggests that the poet's love for her beloved is not just a passing fancy, but something that will endure beyond the limits of time and space. This further emphasizes the transformative power of love, as it suggests that the poet's love for her beloved has not just brought beauty, joy, purpose, and direction to her life, but also a sense of immortality.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnet XIX" is a beautiful expression of the transformative power of love. Through her use of powerful metaphors and language, the poet celebrates the beauty, joy, purpose, direction, and immortality that love brings to our lives. This sonnet is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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