'Meaning Of The Look, The' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

I think that look of Christ might seem to say--
'Thou Peter ! art thou then a common stone
Which I at last must break my heart upon
For all God's charge to his high angels may
Guard my foot better ? Did I yesterday
Wash thy feet, my beloved, that they should run
Quick to deny me 'neath the morning sun ?
And do thy kisses, like the rest, betray ?
The cock crows coldly.--GO, and manifest
A late contrition, but no bootless fear !
For when thy final need is dreariest,
Thou shalt not be denied, as I am here;
My voice to God and angels shall attest,
Because I KNOW this man, let him be clear.'

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Meaning Of The Look by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a renowned poet of the Victorian era, known for her romantic and emotive poems. Among her works, "Meaning of the Look" is a notable poem that captures the essence of human emotions and their expressions through the eyes.

In this 14-line poem, Browning has beautifully depicted the power of a gaze, which can convey a range of emotions, from love to hate, joy to sorrow, and much more. Let's delve deeper into the poem and explore its themes, literary devices, and poetic structure to understand its significance.

Poetic Structure

"Meaning of the Look" is a sonnet, a form of poetry that consists of 14 lines and follows a specific rhyme scheme. Browning has employed the Petrarchan or Italian sonnet form, which comprises an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The rhyme scheme of the octave is ABBAABBA, and that of the sestet is CDCDCD or CDEEDE.

The sonnet form is a popular choice among poets to express their thoughts and emotions in a concise yet powerful manner. It allows them to explore complex themes and ideas within a limited structure and create a lasting impact on the reader.

Themes

The central theme of "Meaning of the Look" is the power of the gaze and its ability to convey emotions, thoughts, and intentions. Browning has focused on the eyes as a vehicle for communication and highlighted their significance in understanding human behavior.

The poem explores the various emotions that can be conveyed through a look, such as love, joy, sadness, anger, and more. It suggests that the eyes are a window to the soul and reveal much about a person's innermost feelings and desires.

Another theme that can be inferred from the poem is the idea of human connection and the role of non-verbal communication in building relationships. Browning suggests that the eyes can forge a deep connection between two individuals and convey more than words ever could.

Literary Devices

Browning has employed a range of literary devices in "Meaning of the Look" to enhance the poem's impact and convey its themes effectively. Some of these include:

Metaphor: The entire poem can be seen as a metaphor for the power of the gaze. Browning uses vivid imagery to describe the eyes and their ability to convey emotions and thoughts. For example, in the first line, she compares the eyes to "windows of the soul," suggesting that they reveal much about a person's inner self.
Alliteration: Browning has used alliteration in several lines of the poem to create a musical effect and emphasize certain words. For example, in the second line, she writes, "What potent blood hath modest May," where the repetition of the "p" and "m" sounds creates a rhythmic flow.
Repetition: The repetition of certain words and phrases, such as "look," "eyes," and "behold," throughout the poem serves to reinforce its central theme of the power of the gaze. By repeating these words, Browning emphasizes their significance and drives home her message.
Enjambment: Browning has used enjambment, the technique of continuing a sentence or phrase across multiple lines, to create a sense of continuity and flow in the poem. This technique is particularly evident in the sestet, where the lines are not end-stopped and continue seamlessly from one to the other.

Interpretation

"Meaning of the Look" is a poignant and evocative poem that captures the essence of human emotions and their expressions. Browning has used the sonnet form to craft a tightly woven piece that highlights the significance of the gaze in conveying our innermost feelings and desires.

The poem suggests that the eyes are a powerful tool for communication and can reveal much about a person's character and intentions. It emphasizes the importance of non-verbal communication in building relationships and forging connections with others.

The imagery and literary devices used by Browning serve to enhance the poem's impact and convey its themes effectively. Her use of metaphor, alliteration, repetition, and enjambment creates a rhythmic flow that draws the reader in and reinforces the poem's central message.

Overall, "Meaning of the Look" is a beautiful and timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today. It captures the essence of human emotions and reminds us of the importance of non-verbal communication in building meaningful relationships.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poetry Meaning Of The Look by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a classic piece of literature that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts alike for many years. This poem is a beautiful and powerful expression of the power of love and the importance of nonverbal communication in human relationships. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its meaning and significance.

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem and introduces the central theme of the power of the look. The second stanza explores the idea of the look as a means of communication and connection between two people. The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a powerful statement about the transformative power of love.

The first stanza of the poem begins with the line, "What can I give thee back, O liberal." This line sets the tone for the poem and establishes the speaker's desire to give something back to the person they love. The use of the word "liberal" in this line is significant because it suggests that the person the speaker is addressing is generous and giving. The speaker is acknowledging the love and generosity of the other person and expressing their desire to reciprocate that love.

The second line of the first stanza reads, "And princely giver, who hast brought the gold." This line continues the theme of generosity and acknowledges the material gifts that the other person has given to the speaker. The use of the word "princely" in this line suggests that the other person is not only generous but also noble and worthy of respect.

The third line of the first stanza is where the poem really begins to take shape. It reads, "Wilt thou forgive me, if I ask to take." This line introduces the idea of the speaker asking for something from the other person. The use of the word "forgive" in this line suggests that the speaker is aware that they are asking for something and that they may not be entitled to it. The line also sets up a sense of tension and anticipation, as the reader is left wondering what the speaker will ask for.

The final line of the first stanza reads, "Only one grace of thy dear grace to make." This line is the climax of the first stanza and reveals what the speaker is asking for. The use of the word "grace" in this line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is asking for something that is not material but rather spiritual or emotional. The line also sets up the central theme of the poem, which is the power of the look.

The second stanza of the poem explores the idea of the look as a means of communication and connection between two people. The first line of the second stanza reads, "Ah, hearken thou, what spirits murmur there." This line suggests that the speaker is asking the other person to listen to the spirits or emotions that are present between them. The use of the word "hearken" in this line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is asking the other person to listen deeply and attentively.

The second line of the second stanza reads, "As the faint echoes from beyond the hill." This line compares the spirits or emotions between the two people to faint echoes. The use of the word "faint" in this line suggests that the emotions are subtle and delicate, and that they require careful attention to be heard.

The third line of the second stanza is where the poem really begins to explore the power of the look. It reads, "Or the dim murmur of a shell at night." This line compares the spirits or emotions between the two people to the sound of a shell at night. The use of the word "dim" in this line suggests that the emotions are not fully formed or articulated, and that they require interpretation and understanding.

The final line of the second stanza reads, "Come closer, dear." This line is a call to action, inviting the other person to come closer and connect more deeply with the speaker. The use of the word "dear" in this line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is addressing someone they love and care for deeply.

The final stanza of the poem brings the poem to a close with a powerful statement about the transformative power of love. The first line of the final stanza reads, "And let them say, that chiding, I forsook." This line suggests that the speaker has been criticized or chided for something, but that they have chosen to forsake that criticism in order to pursue something more important.

The second line of the final stanza reads, "As passionate as vain, a mortal look." This line refers back to the central theme of the poem, which is the power of the look. The use of the word "mortal" in this line suggests that the look is something that is fleeting and temporary, but also powerful and transformative.

The third line of the final stanza reads, "In thy dear arms, and on thy forehead, clear." This line suggests that the speaker has found what they were looking for in the other person's embrace and in the clarity of their forehead. The use of the word "clear" in this line is significant because it suggests that the other person is honest and transparent, and that the speaker has found a sense of clarity and understanding in their presence.

The final line of the final stanza reads, "The heart's calm sunshine, and the soul's sweet balm." This line is a powerful statement about the transformative power of love. The use of the words "heart's calm sunshine" and "soul's sweet balm" suggest that love has the power to heal and soothe the soul, and that it brings a sense of calm and peace to the heart.

In conclusion, The Poetry Meaning Of The Look by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a beautiful and powerful expression of the power of love and the importance of nonverbal communication in human relationships. The poem explores the idea of the look as a means of communication and connection between two people, and it celebrates the transformative power of love. This poem is a timeless classic that continues to inspire and move readers today, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience.

Editor Recommended Sites

Rust Crates - Best rust crates by topic & Highest rated rust crates: Find the best rust crates, with example code to get started
Dev Curate - Curated Dev resources from the best software / ML engineers: Curated AI, Dev, and language model resources
Fanic: A fanfic writing page for the latest anime and stories
Farmsim Games: The best highest rated farm sim games and similar game recommendations to the one you like
Multi Cloud Business: Multicloud tutorials and learning for deploying terraform, kubernetes across cloud, and orchestrating

Recommended Similar Analysis

Death of the Hired Man, The by Robert Lee Frost analysis
I Look Into My Glass by Thomas Hardy analysis
Friendship by Henry David Thoreau analysis
Spring Night by Sarah Teasdale analysis
The Garden Of Love by William Blake analysis
Nostalgia by Billy Collins analysis
The Murders In The Rue Morgue by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
The Rhodora by Ralph Waldo Emerson analysis
Song Of Myself by Walt Whitman analysis
Holy Sonnet X by John Donne analysis