'Sonnet VII' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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The face of all the world is changed, I think,
Since first I heard the footsteps of thy soul
Move still, oh, still, beside me, as they stole
Betwixt me and the dreadful outer brink
Of obvious death, where I, who thought to sink,
Was caught up into love, and taught the whole
Of life in a new rhythm. The cup of dole
God gave for baptism, I am fain to drink,
And praise its sweetness, Sweet, with thee anear.
The names of country, heaven, are changed away
For where thou art or shalt be, there or here;
And this . . . this lute and song . . . loved yesterday,
(The singing angels know) are only dear
Because thy name moves right in what they say.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Interpretation and Literary Criticism of Sonnet VII by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Sonnet VII is one of the famous poems written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, one of the most significant poets in the Victorian era. The poem was published as part of a collection of sonnets called "Sonnets from the Portuguese" - a group of deeply personal love poems addressed to her husband, Robert Browning. The poem is a declaration of love and a reflection of the speaker's desire to be loved as a whole person, both in life and in death.
Sonnet VII: The Poem
To understand the poem, let's first take a look at the text itself:
"The face of all the world is changed, I think, Since first I heard the footsteps of thy soul Move still, oh, still, beside me, as they stole Betwixt me and the dreadful outer brink Of obvious death, where I, who thought to sink, Was caught up into love, and taught the whole Of life in a new rhythm. The cup of dole God gave for baptism, I am fain to drink, And praise its sweetness, Sweet, with thee anear. The names of country, heaven, are changed away For where thou art or shalt be, there or here; And this... this lute and song... loved yesterday, (The singing angels know) are only dear Because thy name moves right in what they say."
This sonnet is written in the traditional structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of three quatrains and a final couplet. The speaker opens by stating that the entire world has changed since she first heard the "footsteps of thy soul," referring to the presence of her beloved. She describes how his presence has saved her from "obvious death" and how she has been "caught up into love" since his arrival.
The second quatrain speaks of the speaker's willingness to drink the "cup of dole" that God has given her as a form of baptism. She praises the sweetness of this cup, but only with her beloved near. The speaker's love has changed her perception of everything, even the names of her country and heaven. She identifies them only by her beloved's presence, whether he is near or far.
The final quatrain speaks of the speaker's love for music and song, acknowledging that they are dear because of her beloved's name. The singing angels, she says, know this to be true. In the final couplet, the speaker declares that she loves her beloved more each day, and that his name is "deeply buried in adoring breast."
Interpretation
Sonnet VII is a love poem that speaks of the transformative and all-encompassing nature of love. The speaker's love has altered her perception of the world and everything in it, including herself. She has been "caught up" into love, and this love has taught her the "whole of life in a new rhythm." The poem suggests that love has the power to change us in fundamental ways, and that this change can be both beautiful and frightening.
The theme of transformation is further emphasized in the third quatrain, where the speaker describes her willingness to drink the "cup of dole" that God has given her. This cup represents the trials and difficulties of life, which the speaker is willing to endure because of her love for her beloved. The sweetness of this cup is only tasted when her beloved is near.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of the beloved as the center of the speaker's universe. The speaker's love has changed the way she perceives her environment, and even the names of her country and heaven are changed when her beloved is near. This suggests that the speaker's world revolves around her beloved, and that he is the source of her happiness and joy.
The final quatrain speaks of the speaker's love for music and song, which are only dear because of her beloved's name. This further emphasizes the idea of the beloved as the center of the speaker's universe. The singing angels know that the speaker's love for music and song is really a love for her beloved.
In the final couplet, the speaker declares that her love for her beloved grows stronger each day, and that his name is "deeply buried in adoring breast." This suggests that the speaker's love is enduring and deep, and that her beloved will always hold a special place in her heart.
Literary Criticism
Sonnet VII is a testament to Elizabeth Barrett Browning's skill as a poet. The poem is beautifully crafted and exhibits her mastery of the sonnet form. The use of language is poetic and evocative, and the imagery is rich and powerful.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way that it explores the theme of transformation. The speaker's love has the power to change her in fundamental ways, and this change is both beautiful and frightening. The poem suggests that love has the power to transform us all, and that this transformation can be both positive and negative.
The use of religious imagery in the third quatrain is also worth noting. The cup of dole represents the trials and difficulties of life, which the speaker is willing to endure because of her love for her beloved. The use of religious language adds a sense of weight and importance to the idea of enduring trials for the sake of love.
The final quatrain, with its emphasis on music and song, is also noteworthy. The singing angels serve as a metaphor for the power of music to express the deepest emotions of the human heart. The fact that the speaker's love for music and song is really a love for her beloved emphasizes the idea of the beloved as the center of the speaker's universe.
Overall, Sonnet VII is a beautiful and powerful love poem that explores the transformative nature of love. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's skill as a poet is on full display, and the poem remains a testament to her enduring legacy as one of the most significant poets of the Victorian era.
Conclusion
Sonnet VII is a beautiful and evocative poem that speaks to the power of love to transform us in fundamental ways. The poem is a testament to Elizabeth Barrett Browning's skill as a poet, and it remains a beloved work of literature to this day. The themes explored in the poem - transformation, the beloved as the center of the universe, and the enduring power of love - are timeless and continue to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Elizabeth Barrett Browning is one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, and her sonnet VII is a testament to her poetic prowess. This poem is a beautiful expression of love, and it is a perfect example of how a sonnet can be used to convey complex emotions in a concise and elegant manner. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem to understand its significance.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing her lover, saying, "The face of all the world is changed, I think, / Since first I heard the footsteps of thy soul." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker's perception of the world has been altered by the presence of her lover. The use of the word "soul" is significant, as it implies a deep spiritual connection between the two lovers.
The second quatrain continues this theme of spiritual connection, as the speaker describes how her lover's presence has transformed her own soul. She says, "All places, all events, and all seasons / Are with the soul interchangeable." This line suggests that the speaker's soul is now inextricably linked to her lover's, and that she sees the world through his eyes. This idea of two souls becoming one is a common theme in love poetry, and it is beautifully expressed in this sonnet.
The third quatrain shifts the focus to the physical world, as the speaker describes how her lover's presence has transformed the landscape around her. She says, "Thy voice, thy heart, thy coming, and thy going / Have made themselves a region in my mind." This line suggests that the speaker's lover has become a part of her very being, and that his presence has transformed her inner world. The use of the word "region" is significant, as it implies a vast and expansive space within the speaker's mind that is now occupied by her lover.
The final couplet brings the poem to a close, as the speaker declares her love for her lover in no uncertain terms. She says, "Love, which scarce seemed worth a thinking of, / Is grown to be her life's whole sum and scope." This final line is a powerful declaration of love, as it suggests that the speaker's entire life is now devoted to her lover. The use of the word "scope" is significant, as it implies a sense of purpose and direction that was previously lacking in the speaker's life.
The structure of this sonnet is also worth noting, as it follows the traditional form of a Shakespearean sonnet. It is composed of three quatrains and a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This structure allows the poem to build to a powerful conclusion, as the final couplet provides a satisfying resolution to the themes and ideas explored in the preceding quatrains.
In terms of literary devices, this sonnet is rich with imagery and metaphor. The use of the word "soul" is a powerful metaphor for the deep spiritual connection between the two lovers, while the idea of the lover's presence transforming the landscape around the speaker is a beautiful example of imagery. The use of the word "region" to describe the space within the speaker's mind that is now occupied by her lover is also a powerful metaphor, as it suggests a vast and expansive space that is now devoted to him.
Overall, sonnet VII by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a beautiful expression of love that explores the themes of spiritual connection, transformation, and devotion. The use of traditional sonnet form, rich imagery, and powerful metaphors make this poem a true masterpiece of Victorian poetry. It is a testament to Browning's poetic prowess, and it continues to inspire and move readers to this day.
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