'Sonnet 40 - Oh, yes! they love through all this world of ours!' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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Sonnets from the Portuguese1850XLOh, yes! they love through all this world of ours!
I will not gainsay love, called love forsooth.
I have heard love talked in my early youth,
And since, not so long back but that the flowers
Then gathered, smell still. Mussulmans and Giaours
Throw kerchiefs at a smile, and have no ruth
For any weeping. Polypheme's white tooth
Slips on the nut if, after frequent showers,
The shell is over-smooth,-and not so much
Will turn the thing called love, aside to hate
Or else to oblivion. But thou art not such
A lover, my Beloved! thou canst wait
Through sorrow and sickness, to bring souls to touch,
And think it soon when others cry 'Too late.'

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 40 - Oh, yes! they love through all this world of ours!

Are you a fan of romantic poetry? If so, you may have already come across Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 40. It's a beautiful piece of literature that combines rhyming with figurative language to create a sense of passion and longing. This essay aims to give a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of Sonnet 40, taking a closer look at its form, language, and themes.

Background

First, let's look at the background of the poem. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was an English poet who lived in the 19th century. She is known for her sonnets, among other works, and is considered one of the most prominent female poets of the Victorian era.

Sonnet 40 was first published in 1850 as part of Barrett Browning's collection "Sonnets from the Portuguese". The collection is a series of love poems that Barrett Browning wrote for her husband, Robert Browning. Although the poems are presented as translations from Portuguese, they were actually written by Barrett Browning herself.

Form

Sonnet 40 is a traditional sonnet, meaning it has 14 lines and follows a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of Sonnet 40 is ABBA ABBA CDC DCD. This means that the first eight lines (the octave) follow an ABBA ABBA pattern, while the final six lines (the sestet) follow a CDC DCD pattern.

The sonnet also employs iambic pentameter, a common meter in English poetry. This means that each line consists of 10 syllables, with the stress falling on the second syllable of each foot. For example, the first line of Sonnet 40 reads:

"Oh, yes! they love through all this world of ours!"

This line has 10 syllables, and the stress falls on the second syllable of "love", creating an iambic pattern.

The structure of the sonnet is significant because it creates a sense of balance and symmetry. The octave presents a problem or question, while the sestet offers a resolution or answer. This structure allows Barrett Browning to explore complex themes in a concise and impactful way.

Language

One of the most striking features of Sonnet 40 is the use of figurative language. Barrett Browning employs a range of metaphors and similes to convey the intensity of the speaker's love. For example, in the second line, she writes:

"And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death."

This line compares the speaker's love to something eternal and unchanging. The use of the word "choose" suggests that the speaker's love is not a choice but rather an innate feeling that cannot be controlled.

Throughout the sonnet, Barrett Browning uses imagery to evoke a sense of passion and intensity. In the third line, she writes:

"I love thee to the depth and breadth and height"

This line uses spatial metaphors to suggest that the speaker's love is all-encompassing. The use of the words "depth", "breadth", and "height" suggests that the speaker's love extends to every corner of the universe.

Another notable feature of the language in Sonnet 40 is the use of exclamation marks. Barrett Browning uses them to add emphasis and convey the intensity of the speaker's emotions. For example, in the first line, she writes:

"Oh, yes! they love through all this world of ours!"

The use of "Oh, yes!" creates a sense of immediacy and excitement, drawing the reader in and setting the tone for the rest of the poem.

Themes

Finally, let's explore the themes of Sonnet 40. At its core, the sonnet is a love poem that celebrates the intensity and depth of the speaker's feelings. However, there are also deeper themes at play.

One theme that emerges is the idea of love as a force that transcends death. Throughout the sonnet, Barrett Browning suggests that the speaker's love is eternal and unchanging. In the second line, she writes:

"And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death."

This line suggests that the speaker's love will continue even after death, highlighting the idea that love is a force that transcends physical boundaries.

Another theme that emerges is the idea of love as a unifying force. In the fourth line, Barrett Browning writes:

"I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;"

This line suggests that the speaker's love is not based on external factors such as wealth or social status, but rather on a deep connection between two people. The use of the word "freely" suggests that the speaker's love is not constrained by societal norms or expectations, but rather is a natural expression of human emotion.

Finally, Sonnet 40 explores the idea of love as a transformative force. Throughout the sonnet, Barrett Browning suggests that the speaker's love has the power to change both the speaker and the object of her affection. In the seventh line, she writes:

"I love thee with the passion put to use"

This line suggests that the speaker's love is not passive but rather actively transforms both the speaker and the object of her affection.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sonnet 40 is a powerful love poem that explores complex themes through its use of form, language, and imagery. Barrett Browning's use of figurative language creates a sense of passion and intensity, while the sonnet's structure allows her to explore deep themes in a concise and impactful way. Ultimately, the sonnet celebrates the transformative power of love and suggests that it is a force that transcends physical boundaries and societal norms.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Oh, yes! They love through all this world of ours! These words, penned by Elizabeth Barrett Browning in her classic sonnet 40, are a testament to the enduring power of love. In this 14-line poem, Browning explores the depth and breadth of love, from its ability to transcend time and space to its ability to bring joy and comfort to those who experience it.

The poem begins with a declaration of love's universality. "Oh, yes! They love through all this world of ours!" Browning writes, suggesting that love is not limited by geography or culture. Love, she suggests, is a universal force that binds us all together. This idea is reinforced in the second line of the poem, where Browning writes, "I will not gainsay love, called love forsooth." Here, she acknowledges that love is a force that cannot be denied or ignored. It is a fundamental part of the human experience, and one that we all share.

As the poem progresses, Browning delves deeper into the nature of love. She writes, "Love, if thou wilt, is the sweetest thing / That ever happened to the world." Here, she suggests that love is not just a force that binds us together, but also one that brings us joy and happiness. Love, she implies, is the sweetest thing that can happen to us in this world.

But Browning does not shy away from the darker aspects of love. She acknowledges that love can also bring pain and heartache. In the third quatrain of the poem, she writes, "Love, if thou wilt, is the bitterest thing / That ever touched the world." Here, she suggests that love can be bitter and painful, just as it can be sweet and joyful. Love, she implies, is a complex and multifaceted emotion that can bring both pleasure and pain.

Despite this complexity, Browning ultimately celebrates the power of love. In the final couplet of the poem, she writes, "Love, if thou wilt, is the whole of life / And life without thee is a life unblest." Here, she suggests that love is not just a part of life, but the very essence of it. Life without love, she implies, is incomplete and unfulfilled.

Overall, Browning's sonnet 40 is a powerful exploration of the nature of love. Through her words, she celebrates the universality of love, its ability to bring joy and comfort, and its power to transform our lives. She acknowledges that love can be both sweet and bitter, but ultimately suggests that it is a force that we cannot live without. In a world that can often feel cold and indifferent, Browning's poem reminds us of the enduring power of love and the importance of cherishing it in all its forms.

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