'Sonnet XLIII' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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How do I love thee ? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,--I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life !--and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Captivating Sonnet XLIII by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
As I delve into the world of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poetic masterpiece, Sonnet XLIII, I am captivated by the profoundness of her words. The sonnet is part of her collection, Sonnets from the Portuguese, and is a tribute to her husband, Robert Browning. In this literary criticism, I will explore the themes, structure, language, and imagery used in the sonnet, and interpret its meaning.
The Themes
The sonnet is a love poem that portrays the profound and all-encompassing nature of love. Barrett Browning uses the theme of love to explore the idea of the soulmate, the one who completes us and who we cannot live without. She paints a picture of two souls that are intertwined, and who are bound together in a deep and profound way. The poem is a testament to the power of love and its ability to transform us, to make us better versions of ourselves.
The Structure
The sonnet is written in the traditional Petrarchan form, with an octave and a sestet. The octave presents the problem, while the sestet presents the solution. The rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which enhances the musicality of the poem. The sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, with each line consisting of ten syllables. The use of these traditional forms and structures adds to the sonnet's elegance and beauty.
The Language
The language used in the sonnet is rich in imagery and metaphor. Barrett Browning uses figurative language to express the depth and intensity of her love. For instance, in the first line, she says, "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." This line introduces the theme of the sonnet, and the use of the rhetorical question is an effective way of engaging the reader. The use of the word "ways" is significant as it suggests that her love cannot be summed up in one way, but in many ways.
The use of personification is also prominent in the sonnet. Barrett Browning personifies her love, saying "I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach," which suggests that her love is alive and has the ability to reach beyond the physical realm. She also uses metaphor to describe her love, such as "I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life," which suggests that her love is all-encompassing and encompasses all aspects of her life.
The Imagery
The use of imagery is one of the most striking features of the sonnet. Barrett Browning creates vivid pictures in the reader's mind by using visual, auditory, and tactile imagery. For example, in the second line, she says, "I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach," which paints a picture of a love that is boundless and limitless. The use of the words "depth," "breadth," and "height" suggests a love that can reach beyond the physical realm.
In the third line, she says, "I love thee to the level of every day's most quiet need," which suggests a love that is practical and grounded in everyday life. The use of the word "quiet" suggests a love that is gentle and comforting, while the word "need" suggests a love that is necessary for survival.
The Interpretation
The sonnet is a declaration of love, but it is also a meditation on the nature of love. Barrett Browning suggests that love is not just a feeling, but a force that can transform us. She suggests that love has the power to make us better, to bring out the best in us. The sonnet celebrates the idea of the soulmate, the one who completes us and who we cannot live without.
In the sestet, Barrett Browning suggests that her love will continue even after death. She says, "I love thee with a love I seemed to lose with my lost saints," which suggests that her love is eternal and transcends death. The use of the word "saints" suggests a love that is holy and divine.
In conclusion, Sonnet XLIII is a beautiful and profound tribute to love. Barrett Browning's use of language, imagery, and metaphor creates a vivid picture of a love that is all-encompassing and eternal. The sonnet is a tribute to the power of love and its ability to transform us. It is a reminder that love is not just a feeling, but a force that has the power to make us better.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet XLIII is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a sonnet that is both beautiful and complex, and it has been the subject of much analysis and interpretation over the years. In this article, we will take a closer look at Sonnet XLIII, exploring its themes, structure, and language, and uncovering the deeper meaning behind this timeless piece of poetry.
The first thing to note about Sonnet XLIII is its structure. Like all sonnets, it is composed of fourteen lines, with a strict rhyme scheme and meter. In this case, the rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, and the meter is iambic pentameter. This means that each line contains ten syllables, with the stress falling on every other syllable. This strict structure gives the sonnet a sense of order and control, which is in contrast to the emotional intensity of the language.
The sonnet begins with a question: "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of love and the many ways in which it can be expressed. The speaker goes on to list a series of metaphors and comparisons, each one describing a different aspect of her love. She loves her partner "to the depth and breadth and height / My soul can reach," and she loves him "freely, as men strive for Right." She loves him "purely, as they turn from Praise," and she loves him "with a passion put to use / In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith."
The language in Sonnet XLIII is rich and evocative, with each metaphor and comparison adding to the overall sense of love and devotion. The use of the word "thee" instead of "you" gives the poem a sense of intimacy and closeness, as if the speaker is addressing her partner directly. The repetition of the word "love" throughout the poem reinforces the central theme, and the use of enjambment (where a sentence or phrase continues onto the next line) gives the poem a sense of flow and movement.
One of the most interesting aspects of Sonnet XLIII is the way in which it explores the different types of love. The speaker loves her partner in many different ways, each one representing a different aspect of love. She loves him with her soul, with her mind, with her heart, and with her body. She loves him freely, purely, and passionately. This multiplicity of love is what makes the poem so powerful, as it shows that love is not just one thing, but many things, and that it can be expressed in many different ways.
Another important theme in Sonnet XLIII is the idea of eternity. The speaker suggests that her love will continue even after death, and that it will be "with the breath / Smiles, tears, of all my life!" This idea of love transcending death is a common theme in literature, and it adds to the sense of the poem's timelessness. The speaker's love is not just for the present moment, but for all time, and this gives it a sense of permanence and significance.
In conclusion, Sonnet XLIII is a beautiful and complex piece of poetry that explores the many different aspects of love. Its strict structure gives it a sense of order and control, while the language is rich and evocative, with each metaphor and comparison adding to the overall sense of love and devotion. The poem's themes of eternity and multiplicity add to its power and significance, making it a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
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