'Sonnet XVII' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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My poet, thou canst touch on all the notes
God set between his After and Before,
And strike up and strike off the general roar
Of the rushing worlds a melody that floats
In a serene air purely. Antidotes
Of medicated music, answering for
Mankind's forlornest uses, thou canst pour
From thence into their ears. God's will devotes
Thine to such ends, and mine to wait on thine.
How, Dearest, wilt thou have me for most use ?
A hope, to sing by gladly ? or a fine
Sad memory, with thy songs to interfuse ?
A shade, in which to sing--of palm or pine ?
A grave, on which to rest from singing ? Choose.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet XVII by Elizabeth Barrett Browning: A Beauty that Transcends Time

When it comes to Elizabeth Barrett Browning's sonnets, the first thing that comes to mind is her famous Sonnets from the Portuguese. Yet, there's one particular sonnet that stands out for its beauty, its profound meaning, and its timeless significance: Sonnet XVII.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll delve deep into this sonnet and explore its themes, stylistic devices, and literary techniques. We'll examine how Browning uses language to convey her message and how her sonnet transcends time to speak to us today, more than a century and a half after it was written.

The Beauty of the Sonnet

Before we dive into the interpretation of Sonnet XVII, let's take a moment to appreciate its beauty. This sonnet is a masterpiece of poetic language, rhythm, and imagery. Its fourteen lines are like a finely crafted piece of jewelry, each word and syllable perfectly placed to create a harmonious whole.

The opening lines set the tone for the sonnet's beauty:

My poet, thou canst touch on all the notes
God set between His After and Before,
And strike up and strike off the general roll
Of . . . things with mortal's names annexed in glory;

Browning uses the metaphor of music to describe the poet's ability to touch on all the notes of creation, from the beginning of time to the end. The language is rich and musical, with words like "strike up," "strike off," and "roll" creating a sense of movement and rhythm.

As we move through the sonnet, we encounter more beautiful language and imagery. The speaker describes her love as "gracious in its ways" and "pure in deeds," creating a sense of nobility and purity. She also uses the metaphor of a "mirror" to describe the way in which her love reflects back the beauty of the beloved.

The Themes of Sonnet XVII

Now that we've appreciated the beauty of Sonnet XVII, let's turn our attention to its themes. Like many of Browning's sonnets, this one is concerned with the nature of love and its power to transcend time.

The speaker of the sonnet is addressing her beloved, whom she calls "my poet." She expresses her love for him in terms of its eternal nature, saying that it will continue to exist even after death:

And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget;
And I will write thee verses
Love's own forget-me-not.

This stanza is particularly powerful in its depiction of love as something that transcends both life and death. The speaker is saying that even if her beloved forgets her, her love will still exist in the form of the verses she writes for him.

The sonnet also explores the power of love to transform the beloved. The speaker describes her love as a force that can change her beloved's nature:

And on thy happy eyelids
Crowning them with love-light.
And thus, thy thoughts, those fair sweet friends of mine,
Shall be my thoughts, their throbbing hearts shall be my wine.

Here, Browning is using the metaphor of light to describe the way in which the speaker's love can transform her beloved's nature. The light of her love will crown his eyelids and fill his thoughts, changing him from within.

The Stylistic Devices of Sonnet XVII

Browning's sonnets are known for their intricate use of language and stylistic devices, and Sonnet XVII is no exception. In this section, we'll explore some of the most prominent stylistic devices used in this sonnet.

Metaphors and Imagery

One of the most striking features of this sonnet is its rich use of metaphors and imagery. Browning uses the metaphor of music to describe the poet's ability to touch on all the notes of creation. She also uses the metaphor of a mirror to describe the way in which her love reflects back the beauty of the beloved.

In addition to these metaphors, Browning also uses vivid imagery to create a sense of beauty and richness. For example, she describes her love as "gracious in its ways" and "pure in deeds," using sensory language to create a sense of nobility and purity.

Repetition and Parallelism

Another prominent stylistic device in this sonnet is repetition and parallelism. Browning repeats the phrase "And if thou wilt" twice, creating a sense of balance and symmetry. She also uses parallelism in the final two lines of the sonnet, where she repeats the phrase "their throbbing hearts shall be my wine," creating a sense of unity and harmony.

Rhythm and Meter

Finally, Browning's use of rhythm and meter is essential to the beauty and power of this sonnet. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which creates a sense of regularity and movement. Browning also uses enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase across line breaks, to create a sense of flow and continuity.

The Timeless Significance of Sonnet XVII

As we have seen, Sonnet XVII is a masterpiece of poetic language, imagery, and stylistic devices. But what makes this sonnet truly remarkable is its timeless significance. Even though it was written more than a century and a half ago, it speaks to us today with a power and relevance that is undiminished by time.

At its core, this sonnet is about the power of love to transcend time and mortality. It reminds us that love is not something that can be contained or limited by the boundaries of life and death. Rather, it is a force that can transform us and connect us to something deeper and more profound than ourselves.

In a world that often feels fragmented and disconnected, Sonnet XVII reminds us of the power of love to unite us and transcend our differences. It speaks to our deepest longings and our highest aspirations, reminding us that we are all capable of love and that love is what makes life worth living.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sonnet XVII by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a masterpiece of poetic language, imagery, and stylistic devices. It explores the themes of love, mortality, and transformation in a way that is both timeless and profoundly relevant today. Its beauty and power remind us of the enduring significance of poetry and its ability to touch our hearts and souls in ways that transcend time and space.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet XVII is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and romantic sonnet that captures the essence of love and the depth of emotions that come with it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this sonnet.

Firstly, the theme of love is evident throughout the sonnet. The speaker is expressing her love for her beloved, and the depth of her emotions is clear. The speaker is so in love that she cannot express her feelings in words, and she compares her love to things that are beyond words. For example, she says, “I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.” This line shows the depth of her love and how it transcends words.

Another theme that is evident in the sonnet is the idea of immortality. The speaker suggests that her love for her beloved will last beyond death. She says, “I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.” This line suggests that her love will continue even after death, and it will only grow stronger.

The structure of the sonnet is also worth noting. It follows the traditional structure of a sonnet, which consists of fourteen lines and a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. The first eight lines are known as the octave, and the last six lines are known as the sestet. The octave presents the problem or situation, and the sestet presents the resolution or conclusion. In this sonnet, the problem is the speaker’s inability to express her love in words, and the resolution is her declaration of love and her promise to love her beloved beyond death.

The literary devices used in the sonnet are also worth exploring. One of the most prominent devices used is imagery. The speaker uses vivid imagery to describe her love for her beloved. For example, she says, “I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.” This line creates a visual image of the speaker’s love reaching beyond the limits of the physical world. Another example of imagery is when the speaker says, “I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life.” This line creates an image of the speaker’s love being a part of every aspect of her life.

Another literary device used in the sonnet is repetition. The speaker repeats the phrase “I love thee” throughout the sonnet, emphasizing the depth and intensity of her love. The repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and musicality in the sonnet.

Finally, the use of metaphors is also evident in the sonnet. The speaker compares her love to things that are beyond words, such as the depth and breadth of her soul and the heights that her love can reach. These metaphors create a sense of grandeur and elevate the speaker’s love to a higher level.

In conclusion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet XVII is a beautiful and romantic sonnet that captures the essence of love and the depth of emotions that come with it. The themes of love and immortality, the traditional structure, and the literary devices used in the sonnet all contribute to its timeless appeal. This sonnet is a testament to the power of love and the enduring nature of human emotions.

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