'Sonnet 37 - Pardon, oh, pardon, that my soul should make' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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Sonnets from the Portuguese1850XXXVIIPardon, oh, pardon, that my soul should make,
Of all that strong divineness which I know
For thine and thee, an image only so
Formed of the sand, and fit to shift and break.
It is that distant years which did not take
Thy sovranty, recoiling with a blow,
Have forced my swimming brain to undergo
Their doubt and dread, and blindly to forsake
Thy purity of likeness and distort
Thy worthiest love to a worthless counterfeit:
As if a shipwrecked Pagan, safe in port,
His guardian sea-god to commemorate,
Should set a sculptured porpoise, gills a-snort
And vibrant tail, within the temple-gate.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Pardon, oh, pardon, that my soul should make
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 37 is a powerful and emotional expression of love and forgiveness. In this sonnet, the speaker implores her beloved to pardon her for the sins of her soul, and expresses her unwavering devotion to him. Through her use of language and imagery, Browning creates a vivid and moving portrait of a woman consumed by her love.
The Power of Forgiveness
The theme of forgiveness is central to Sonnet 37, and Browning explores it with great depth and nuance. The speaker's plea for pardon is not a mere apology, but a profound expression of remorse and contrition. She acknowledges the wrongs she has committed, but also recognizes the transformative power of forgiveness. As she says in the first quatrain, "Pardon, oh, pardon, that my soul should make / Of all that strong divineness which I know / For thine and thee, an image only so / Formed of the sand and wind,--the jest and wake."
The speaker's use of the metaphor of sand and wind is particularly powerful here. Sand and wind are both ephemeral and fleeting, and represent the transience of human life. By contrast, the "strong divineness" she speaks of is eternal and unchanging. She is acknowledging that her sins are temporary and insignificant in the face of the enduring power of love.
The Depth of Love
Love is another major theme in Sonnet 37, and Browning explores it with great passion and intensity. The speaker's devotion to her beloved is unwavering, and she expresses it in vivid and poetic language. In the second quatrain, she says, "And yet, because thou overcomest so, / Because thou art more noble and like a king, / Thou canst forgive; and, though thou hast outdone / My thought, I thank thee for the quiet breath."
The use of the metaphor of a king is particularly evocative here. Kings are powerful and majestic, and represent the highest ideals of nobility and honor. By calling her beloved a king, the speaker is acknowledging the greatness of his character and the depth of his love. She is saying that he is so noble and virtuous that he is able to forgive her sins and offer her redemption.
The Beauty of Language
One of the most striking features of Sonnet 37 is the beauty and richness of Browning's language. Her use of metaphor and imagery is particularly powerful, and creates a vivid and evocative picture of the speaker's emotions. For example, in the third quatrain, she says, "And thus, upon my knees I crave thy pardon, / And this my prayer importunes thee to grant, / Nor yet disdainfully nor vauntingly, / But with thy generous tears let it be scanned."
The use of the metaphor of kneeling is particularly potent here. Kneeling is a symbol of humility and submission, and represents the speaker's willingness to submit to her beloved's will. The phrase "with thy generous tears let it be scanned" is also powerful, as it suggests that the speaker's beloved is deeply moved by her plea for forgiveness.
The Importance of Gender
Another important aspect of Sonnet 37 is the speaker's gender. Browning was one of the most prominent female poets of the Victorian era, and her work often explored themes of gender and identity. In this sonnet, the speaker is a woman who is begging for forgiveness from her male beloved. This gender dynamic is significant, as it reflects the societal norms and power dynamics of the era.
At the same time, however, the speaker's plea for forgiveness is also a powerful assertion of her own agency and identity. She is not simply a passive object of her beloved's affection, but an active participant in their relationship. Her willingness to acknowledge her own faults and seek forgiveness demonstrates her strength of character and her commitment to their love.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 37 is a powerful and moving exploration of love, forgiveness, and gender. Through her use of language and imagery, Browning creates a vivid and evocative portrait of a woman consumed by her love for her beloved. The theme of forgiveness is particularly potent, as it reflects the transformative power of love and the importance of humility and contrition in human relationships. At the same time, the poem also reflects the gender norms and power dynamics of the Victorian era, and offers a poignant reflection on the complexities of love and identity. Overall, Sonnet 37 is a timeless and powerful work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Pardon, oh, pardon, that my soul should make is a classic sonnet written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. This poem is a beautiful expression of the poet's love and devotion to her beloved. In this 14-line poem, Browning uses various literary devices to convey her emotions and feelings. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem begins with the speaker asking for forgiveness for the emotions that her soul is expressing. She says, "Pardon, oh, pardon, that my soul should make, Of all that strong divineness which I know For thine and thee, an image only so." Here, the speaker is apologizing for the fact that her soul is expressing such strong emotions for her beloved. She acknowledges that these emotions are divine and pure, but she feels guilty for expressing them in such a human way.
The second line of the poem is particularly interesting. The speaker says that her soul expresses "strong divineness" for her beloved. This line suggests that the speaker's love for her beloved is not just a human emotion but a divine one. It is a love that transcends the physical world and is rooted in something deeper and more spiritual.
In the third line, the speaker says that her love for her beloved is only an "image." This line suggests that the speaker's love is not the real thing but a mere representation of it. It is a reflection of the divine love that exists between the speaker and her beloved.
In the second quatrain, the speaker continues to express her love for her beloved. She says, "I will not trouble thee with words of praise, Which would be simple flattery and untrue." Here, the speaker is saying that she will not use words to express her love for her beloved because words are inadequate. She acknowledges that any words she uses would be mere flattery and would not do justice to the depth of her emotions.
In the fourth line, the speaker says that any words she uses to express her love would be "untrue." This line suggests that the speaker's love is so deep and profound that it cannot be expressed in words. It is a love that transcends language and is rooted in something deeper and more spiritual.
In the third quatrain, the speaker continues to express her love for her beloved. She says, "But this I know, that in thy face divine The love I seek is written legibly." Here, the speaker is saying that she can see the love she seeks in her beloved's face. She acknowledges that her beloved's face is divine and that the love she seeks is written legibly in it.
In the thirteenth line, the speaker says that the love she seeks is "written legibly" in her beloved's face. This line suggests that the speaker's love is not just a feeling but a tangible thing that can be seen and felt. It is a love that is written in the very essence of her beloved's being.
In the final couplet, the speaker concludes the poem by saying, "Oh, rare! A soul like mine, to find a soul like thine! Oh, rare!" Here, the speaker is expressing her gratitude for finding a soul like her beloved's. She acknowledges that it is rare to find someone who shares the same depth of emotion and spirituality as she does.
In conclusion, Pardon, oh, pardon, that my soul should make is a beautiful sonnet that expresses the depth of the speaker's love for her beloved. Through the use of various literary devices, Elizabeth Barrett Browning conveys the speaker's emotions and feelings in a powerful and profound way. This poem is a testament to the power of love and the human spirit.
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