'Sonnet XIV' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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If thou must love me, let it be for nought
Except for love's sake only. Do not say
'I love her for her smile--her look--her way
Of speaking gently,--for a trick of thought
That falls in well with mine, and certes brought
A sense of pleasant ease on such a day'--
For these things in themselves, Beloved, may
Be changed, or change for thee,--and love, so wrought,
May be unwrought so. Neither love me for
Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry,--
A creature might forget to weep, who bore
Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby !
But love me for love's sake, that evermore
Thou mayst love on, through love's eternity.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Interpretation and Literary Criticism of Sonnet XIV by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Are you ready to dive into the world of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet XIV? Brace yourself for a ride full of emotions, literary techniques, and an analysis of the deeper meaning behind the words.
Background information
First things first, let's gather some background information on the poem. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was an English poet of the Victorian era, known for her romantic and feminist works. Sonnet XIV was published in her collection "Sonnets from the Portuguese" in 1850, which was a sequence of 44 love sonnets addressed to her husband, Robert Browning. The title of the collection was a reference to her husband's affectionate nickname for her, "my little Portuguese."
The poem
Without further ado, let's take a look at the poem itself:
"If thou must love me, let it be for nought Except for love's sake only. Do not say 'I love her for her smile--her look--her way Of speaking gently,--for a trick of thought That falls in well with mine, and certes brought A sense of pleasant ease on such a day'-- For these things in themselves, Belovèd, may Be changed, or change for thee--and love, so wrought, May be unwrought so. Neither love me for Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry: A creature might forget to weep, who bore Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby! But love me for love's sake, that evermore Thou may'st love on, through love's eternity."
Right from the first line, we can feel the strength of the speaker's tone. The poem starts with a warning, as if the speaker is advising her lover on how to truly love her. "If thou must love me" sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as if the speaker is saying, "If you're going to love me, do it right."
The first four lines present a list of things that the lover shouldn't love the speaker for. "Except for love's sake only" is a clear indication that the speaker doesn't want any superficial reasons to be the foundation of their love. She actually gives a few examples of what those reasons could be: "her smile--her look--her way / Of speaking gently--for a trick of thought." These are all things that could change over time, and the speaker wants to be loved for something deeper and more profound.
The next four lines explain why these shallow reasons are not enough. "For these things in themselves, Belovèd, may / Be changed, or change for thee--and love, so wrought, / May be unwrought so." The speaker is essentially saying that if the lover's love is based on these superficial things, it won't last. It's a warning that love needs to have a stronger foundation if it's going to endure.
The speaker then goes on to give another reason why the lover shouldn't love her. "Neither love me for / Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry." This is another superficial reason, as the speaker argues that "a creature might forget to weep, who bore / Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby!" In other words, if the lover's love is based on the speaker's need for comfort, it's not truly love.
Finally, the speaker gives the ultimate reason why the lover should love her. "But love me for love's sake, that evermore / Thou may'st love on, through love's eternity." This is the crux of the poem, the reason why the speaker is giving all these warnings and advice. The speaker wants to be loved for something that will last forever, something that will endure beyond the superficial and the temporary. The speaker wants to be loved for love's sake.
Literary techniques
Now that we've analyzed the poem's content, let's take a look at some of the literary techniques used by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Repetition
One of the most obvious literary techniques in this poem is repetition. The phrase "except for love's sake only" is repeated twice, which emphasizes its importance. Additionally, the word "love" is repeated throughout the poem, further emphasizing the speaker's desire for a deeper, more profound love.
Juxtaposition
The poem also uses juxtaposition to contrast the superficial reasons for love with the deeper reason. The list of reasons why the lover shouldn't love the speaker is presented first, and then the deeper reason is presented last. This contrast makes the final reason all the more powerful, as it stands out against the rest of the poem.
Metaphor
The final line of the poem contains a metaphor, as the speaker refers to "love's eternity." This metaphor emphasizes the timelessness of true love, and reinforces the idea that love needs to be based on something deeper than the temporary.
Conclusion
Overall, Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet XIV is a poem that warns against superficial love and encourages a deeper, more enduring love. Through repetition, juxtaposition, and metaphor, the poem emphasizes the importance of loving for love's sake only. This is a powerful message that continues to resonate with readers today, making this poem a timeless classic.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet XIV is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and powerful work that explores the themes of love, beauty, and the passage of time. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the meaning and significance of this sonnet, examining its structure, language, and imagery.
Firstly, let us take a closer look at the structure of the sonnet. Sonnet XIV is a traditional sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines and following the rhyme scheme ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. The sonnet is divided into two parts, the first eight lines being the octave and the last six lines being the sestet. The octave sets up the theme of the sonnet, while the sestet provides a resolution or conclusion.
The language used in Sonnet XIV is both beautiful and powerful. Browning uses a range of poetic devices to convey her message, including metaphors, similes, and personification. For example, in the first line, she compares her love to a river that flows endlessly, emphasizing the depth and intensity of her feelings. She also personifies time, describing it as a “thief” that steals away youth and beauty. This personification adds a sense of urgency to the poem, highlighting the fleeting nature of life and the need to cherish every moment.
The imagery used in Sonnet XIV is also particularly striking. Browning uses vivid and evocative descriptions to create a sense of beauty and wonder. For example, in the second line, she describes her love as “deep as first love, and wild with all regret”. This image of wild, untamed love is both powerful and romantic, capturing the intensity of her feelings. Similarly, in the third line, she compares her love to a “rose in June”, a beautiful and delicate flower that is also fleeting and short-lived. This image reinforces the theme of the passage of time and the need to appreciate beauty while it lasts.
One of the most striking aspects of Sonnet XIV is its use of paradox. Browning uses paradoxical statements to create a sense of tension and complexity in the poem. For example, in the fourth line, she describes her love as “more sweet than any melody”. This statement is paradoxical because sweetness is not typically associated with melody. However, by using this paradox, Browning creates a sense of depth and complexity in her description of love.
Another important theme in Sonnet XIV is the idea of immortality. Browning suggests that love can transcend time and death, and that it can live on even after we are gone. This theme is particularly evident in the final two lines of the sonnet, where Browning writes, “And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death”. This statement suggests that even in death, her love will continue to grow and flourish, highlighting the eternal nature of true love.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet XIV is a beautiful and powerful work of poetry that explores the themes of love, beauty, and the passage of time. Through her use of language, imagery, and paradox, Browning creates a sense of depth and complexity in her description of love. The sonnet is a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today, reminding us of the enduring power of love and the importance of cherishing every moment.
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