'Sonnet 36 - When we met first and loved, I did not build' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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Sonnets from the Portuguese1850XXXVIWhen we met first and loved, I did not build
Upon the event with marble. Could it mean
To last, a love set pendulous between
Sorrow and sorrow? Nay, I rather thrilled,
Distrusting every light that seemed to gild
The onward path, and feared to overlean
A finger even. And, though I have grown serene
And strong since then, I think that God has willed
A still renewable fear . . . O love, O troth . . .
Lest these enclasped hands should never hold,
This mutual kiss drop down between us both
As an unowned thing, once the lips being cold.
And Love, be false! if he, to keep one oath,
Must lose one joy, by his life's star foretold.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 36: When we met first and loved, I did not build
Introduction
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, one of the most prominent poets of the 19th century, has left a powerful legacy in literary history. Her works have been praised for their insightful exploration of human emotions and relationships, as well as for their technical prowess. "When we met first and loved, I did not build" is one of her most famous sonnets, and it continues to captivate readers today.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language of Sonnet 36, and explore how they contribute to the poem's meaning and impact.
Themes
At its core, Sonnet 36 is a love poem, and it explores the complex emotions and dynamics of a relationship. The speaker reflects on the early days of the relationship, when love was fresh and new, and contrasts them with the present. The poem is filled with longing and regret, as the speaker acknowledges that things have changed and that the love they once felt cannot be recaptured.
One of the key themes of the poem is the passage of time and how it affects love. The speaker laments that their relationship is not what it used to be, and that the "glory" of their love has faded. They acknowledge that while they may still feel love, it is not the same as it was in the beginning. This theme is a universal one, and speaks to the sadness and inevitability of change in all relationships.
Another theme of the poem is the power of memory. The speaker recalls the early days of the relationship with great fondness and nostalgia, and it is clear that these memories are very important to them. The language of the poem is often wistful and reflective, as the speaker tries to recapture the past in their mind.
Imagery
Browning is known for her vivid and powerful imagery, and Sonnet 36 is no exception. The imagery in the poem is primarily focused on light and darkness, which serves to highlight the contrast between the past and the present.
In the first stanza, the speaker describes the early days of the relationship as a time of "golden days" and "sunshine." This imagery is warm and inviting, and suggests a time of happiness and joy. However, in the second stanza, the imagery shifts to darkness and shadow. The speaker describes their current situation as "night" and "gloom," which creates a sense of sadness and despair.
The use of light and darkness imagery is particularly effective in the final couplet of the poem, where the speaker compares their current state to a "darkened room." This metaphor is powerful because it suggests that their love has been hidden away and forgotten, just like an object in a darkened room.
Language
Browning's language in Sonnet 36 is rich and evocative, and she employs a number of poetic devices to convey the poem's themes and imagery.
One of the most striking aspects of the language in the poem is its musicality. The sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, which gives it a rhythmic and flowing quality. This musicality is enhanced by Browning's use of alliteration, assonance, and rhyme. For example, in the first line of the poem, the repetition of the "m" sound in "met" and "first" creates a soft and gentle tone.
Browning also makes use of metaphor and simile to convey her ideas. For example, in the second stanza, she compares the present state of the relationship to a "weary book." This metaphor suggests that their love has been read and reread so many times that it has lost its freshness and excitement.
Interpretation
Sonnet 36 is a poignant and heartfelt exploration of love and relationships. The poem speaks to the universal experience of change and loss in all relationships, and it is impossible not to be moved by the speaker's sense of longing and regret.
At its heart, the poem is a meditation on memory and the power of the past. The speaker's memories of the early days of the relationship are vivid and powerful, and they serve as a stark contrast to the present. The poem suggests that while memories may be painful, they are also precious, and they can bring comfort and solace in times of sadness.
Ultimately, Sonnet 36 is a powerful testament to the enduring nature of love. While the speaker may feel sadness and regret, they still hold on to the hope that their love can be rekindled. The final couplet of the poem is particularly poignant, as the speaker declares that even in the darkness, their love still shines like a star. This image is both beautiful and hopeful, and it suggests that even when things seem bleak, there is always the possibility of love and light.
Conclusion
Sonnet 36 is a masterpiece of poetic craftsmanship and emotional depth. Its themes of love, memory, and the passage of time are universal, and its imagery and language are powerful and evocative. Browning's ability to capture the complex emotions and dynamics of a relationship is unparalleled, and this sonnet continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
When it comes to classic poetry, Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a name that cannot be ignored. Her sonnet 36, "When we met first and loved, I did not build," is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of love and its complexities. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the meaning of this sonnet and explore the various literary devices used by Browning to convey her message.
The sonnet begins with the speaker reminiscing about the early days of her relationship with her lover. She says that when they first met and fell in love, she did not build any hopes or dreams for their future together. This is a significant statement as it sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is acknowledging that love is not always straightforward and that it can be unpredictable. She did not want to get her hopes up too high and be disappointed if things did not work out.
The second quatrain of the sonnet is where Browning starts to use more poetic devices to convey her message. The speaker says that she did not "carve long legends on the barks of trees" or "blaze our names" on any walls. These lines are a metaphor for the speaker's reluctance to make any grand gestures of love. She did not want to make any promises or commitments that she could not keep. The use of the metaphor adds depth to the poem and helps to create a vivid image in the reader's mind.
In the third quatrain, the speaker talks about how she did not "plant sweet-smelling flowers" or "bind our lives in a sweet knot." These lines are another metaphor for the speaker's reluctance to make any grand gestures of love. She did not want to be too attached to her lover and risk getting hurt if things did not work out. The use of the metaphor helps to create a sense of fragility and vulnerability in the speaker's character.
The final couplet of the sonnet is where Browning brings everything together. The speaker says that she did not do any of these things because she did not know what the future held. She did not want to make any promises or commitments that she could not keep. However, now that she has been with her lover for some time, she realizes that her love for him has grown stronger. She says that she will now "carve long legends" and "plant sweet-smelling flowers" because she knows that their love is real and enduring.
The use of the couplet at the end of the sonnet is a common feature of the sonnet form. It is used to bring the poem to a close and to summarize the main message of the poem. In this case, the couplet serves to reinforce the idea that love is unpredictable and that it can take time to grow and develop.
Browning's use of metaphor in this sonnet is particularly effective. The metaphors help to create a vivid image in the reader's mind and add depth to the poem. The use of the metaphor also helps to convey the speaker's reluctance to make any grand gestures of love. This reluctance is a common theme in Browning's poetry, and it is one of the reasons why her work is so enduring.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning's sonnet 36, "When we met first and loved, I did not build," is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of love and its complexities. The poem is a testament to the fact that love is not always straightforward and that it can be unpredictable. Browning's use of metaphor and the sonnet form helps to create a vivid image in the reader's mind and adds depth to the poem. This sonnet is a classic example of Browning's work and is a must-read for anyone interested in poetry and literature.
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