'Sonnet XXXII' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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The first time that the sun rose on thine oath
To love me, I looked forward to the moon
To slacken all those bonds which seemed too soon
And quickly tied to make a lasting troth.
Quick-loving hearts, I thought, may quickly loathe;
And, looking on myself, I seemed not one
For such man's love !--more like an out-of-tune
Worn viol, a good singer would be wroth
To spoil his song with, and which, snatched in haste,
Is laid down at the first ill-sounding note.
I did not wrong myself so, but I placed
A wrong on thee. For perfect strains may float
'Neath master-hands, from instruments defaced,--
And great souls, at one stroke, may do and doat.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Interpretation of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet XXXII
Poetry is the art of expressing emotions through the careful use of language, and few do it better than Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Her Sonnet XXXII is a masterpiece that explores the complex nature of love and the human heart. In this literary criticism, I will provide a detailed interpretation of this classic poem and analyze its various literary elements to understand the deeper meaning behind Barrett Browning’s words.
Summary of Sonnet XXXII
Sonnet XXXII is one of the 44 sonnets that make up Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s collection, Sonnets from the Portuguese. The poem is a reflection on the nature of love and how it can both inspire and torment the human heart. The speaker, who is most likely Barrett Browning herself, begins by stating that she loves him, even though she knows she shouldn't.
The speaker then goes on to describe the pain that this love causes her. She is filled with doubt and insecurity, wondering if he reciprocates her feelings. She longs to be with him but is afraid of rejection. The poem ends with the speaker asking the question, "How do I love thee?" and then answering it with the declaration that she loves him with every breath, every moment, and every aspect of her being.
Analysis of Literary Elements
Form and Structure
Sonnet XXXII follows the traditional structure of a sonnet, consisting of 14 lines with a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDC DCD. The poem is also written in iambic pentameter, with five stressed syllables in each line. The use of this traditional form and structure helps to create a sense of order and control in the poem, which is in contrast to the chaotic emotions being expressed by the speaker.
Imagery
Barrett Browning uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to convey the emotions being felt by the speaker. For example, in the first line, she describes her love as being "unlawful," which creates a sense of danger and secrecy. Later, she uses the image of a "heart in hiding" to describe her fear of rejection and her reluctance to reveal her true feelings.
Tone
The tone of the poem is one of intense emotion, with the speaker expressing her love and pain in equal measure. The use of repetition, such as the repeated use of the word "love," helps to emphasize the intensity of the speaker's feelings. The tone is also somewhat melancholic, with the speaker expressing a sense of sadness and longing.
Theme
The central theme of Sonnet XXXII is the nature of love and its ability to inspire both joy and pain. The poem explores the complex emotions that arise from loving someone, including doubt, insecurity, fear, and longing. Ultimately, the poem suggests that love is both beautiful and painful, but it is worth the risk because of the joy it can bring.
Interpretation of Sonnet XXXII
Sonnet XXXII is a deeply personal and emotional poem that reflects Elizabeth Barrett Browning's own experiences with love and heartbreak. The poem is a testament to the power of love and its ability to inspire both joy and pain. The speaker's intense emotions are conveyed through the use of vivid imagery, repetition, and a melancholic tone.
The poem also explores the nature of love itself, suggesting that it is both beautiful and painful. The speaker's doubts and insecurities reveal the vulnerability that comes with loving someone, while her declaration of love with every aspect of her being shows the depth of feeling that love can inspire.
Overall, Sonnet XXXII is a masterful piece of poetry that captures the complexity of human emotion. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's use of form, structure, imagery, tone, and theme all contribute to the power and beauty of this timeless masterpiece.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet XXXII is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a beautiful expression of love and admiration for the speaker’s beloved. The poem is written in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this sonnet to understand the depth of emotion and meaning behind it.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing her love for her beloved. She says, “The first time that the sun rose on thine oath, / It blazed upon a world unworthy of thee.” This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is in awe of her beloved and believes that he is too good for the world. This line also introduces the theme of light and darkness, which is prevalent throughout the poem.
The second quatrain continues with the theme of light and darkness. The speaker says, “Thy radiance made it bright; thy voice, a key / Of all the doors of thy rich treasury.” Here, the speaker is saying that her beloved’s radiance and voice are like keys that unlock all the doors to his innermost thoughts and feelings. The use of the word “treasury” suggests that her beloved is rich in knowledge and wisdom.
In the third quatrain, the speaker continues to express her admiration for her beloved. She says, “And when we met at length, and both were free, / I saw thee, and I knew thee, and I said, / ‘This is the man;’ and forthwith meant the rest.” Here, the speaker is saying that when she finally met her beloved, she knew that he was the one for her. The use of the word “free” suggests that both the speaker and her beloved were previously in relationships that did not work out. However, when they met, they were both free to pursue their love for each other.
The final couplet of the sonnet brings the poem to a close. The speaker says, “The pulse of war and passion of wonder, / And art made tongue-tied by authority, / And thee, who mourned in heaven, and wouldst not be / A queen – ah, love, let us be true / To one another! for the world, which seems / To lie before us like a land of dreams, / So various, so beautiful, so new, / Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light, / Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain; / And we are here as on a darkling plain / Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight, / Where ignorant armies clash by night.” In this final couplet, the speaker is saying that the world is a dark and confusing place, full of war and struggle. However, she believes that love is the one thing that can bring light and peace to the world. She urges her beloved to be true to her and to their love, despite the chaos of the world around them.
The imagery used in this sonnet is rich and vivid. The use of light and darkness is prevalent throughout the poem. The speaker describes her beloved’s radiance as a bright light that illuminates the world. She also uses the metaphor of keys to describe how her beloved’s voice unlocks the doors to his innermost thoughts and feelings. The use of the word “treasury” suggests that her beloved is rich in knowledge and wisdom.
The language used in this sonnet is also beautiful and poetic. The use of alliteration in the first line, “The first time that the sun rose on thine oath,” creates a musical quality to the poem. The use of the word “treasury” in the second quatrain is also a beautiful choice of language. It suggests that the speaker’s beloved is rich in knowledge and wisdom, which is a desirable quality in a partner.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet XXXII is a beautiful expression of love and admiration for the speaker’s beloved. The use of light and darkness imagery, rich language, and musical qualities make this sonnet a classic piece of poetry. The final couplet of the sonnet is particularly powerful, as it urges the reader to believe in the power of love to bring light and peace to the world. This sonnet is a timeless reminder of the beauty and power of love.
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