'Sonnet 26 - I lived with visions for my company' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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Sonnets from the Portuguese1850XXVII lived with visions for my company
Instead of men and women, years ago,
And found them gentle mates, nor thought to know
A sweeter music than they played to me.
But soon their trailing purple was not free
Of this world's dust, their lutes did silent grow,
And I myself grew faint and blind below
Their vanishing eyes. Then THOU didst come-to be,
Beloved, what they seemed. Their shining fronts,
Their songs, their splendors (better, yet the same,
As river-water hallowed into fonts),
Met in thee, and from out thee overcame
My soul with satisfaction of all wants:
Because God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 26 - I lived with visions for my company: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
"Sonnet 26 - I lived with visions for my company," written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, is a powerful piece of poetry that explores the theme of imagination and its role in shaping our lives. The poem is part of a larger collection of sonnets that Barrett Browning wrote to express her love for her husband, Robert Browning. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of Sonnet 26, highlighting the key themes and literary devices used by Barrett Browning to create a beautiful and thought-provoking poem.
Literary Analysis
Barrett Browning begins the poem by stating that she lived with visions for her company. This line is an important one as it sets the tone for the entire poem. The word "visions" represents the poet's imagination and creativity, which she values more than anything else in her life. The use of the word "company" suggests that the poet's imagination is her constant companion, always by her side. This creates a powerful image in the reader's mind, of a poet who is deeply connected to her imagination.
The second line of the poem reads, "Instead of men and women, years ago." This line further emphasizes the importance of imagination in the poet's life. The use of the phrase "instead of" suggests that the poet has chosen her imaginative world over the real world. The use of the phrase "men and women" is interesting, as it suggests that the poet does not find companionship in other human beings. This could be because the poet is an introvert who prefers to spend time alone with her thoughts and imagination.
In the third line of the poem, Barrett Browning writes, "And found them gentle mates." This line is significant as it suggests that the poet's imagination is not only her companion but also her friend. The use of the word "mates" suggests that the poet's imagination is a source of comfort and support for her. This creates a powerful image in the reader's mind, of a poet who has found solace in her imagination.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Nor heard their voices grow more loud and bold." This line is interesting as it suggests that the poet's imagination is a quiet and gentle companion. The use of the word "loud" suggests that the poet does not want her imagination to be overpowering or dominating. The use of the word "bold" suggests that the poet does not want her imagination to be aggressive or forceful. This creates a powerful image in the reader's mind, of a poet who values peace and tranquility in her life.
In the fifth line of the poem, Barrett Browning writes, "But sweet as music on the waters cold, / Or morning-sunshine on the hills of old." This line is beautifully written and creates a powerful image in the reader's mind. The use of the word "sweet" suggests that the poet's imagination is a source of pleasure and joy for her. The use of the similes "music on the waters cold" and "morning-sunshine on the hills of old" creates a vivid image of nature and its beauty. This suggests that the poet finds inspiration in nature and uses her imagination to create beautiful poetry.
In the sixth line of the poem, Barrett Browning writes, "I love, I love thee." This line is significant as it reveals the true subject of the poem – the poet's love for her husband, Robert Browning. The use of repetition emphasizes the depth and intensity of the poet's love. This creates a powerful image in the reader's mind, of a poet who is deeply in love with her husband.
In the seventh line of the poem, Barrett Browning writes, "Tis all I can say." This line is interesting as it suggests that the poet's love for her husband is so profound that words are inadequate to express it. The use of the phrase "all I can say" suggests that the poet has exhausted all words to express her love. This creates a powerful image in the reader's mind, of a poet who is struggling to express her emotions.
In the eighth line of the poem, Barrett Browning writes, "Tis my vision's mockery." This line is significant as it suggests that the poet's imagination is mocking her inability to express her love for her husband. The use of the word "mockery" suggests that the poet's imagination is teasing her for her inability to find the right words. This creates a powerful image in the reader's mind, of a poet who is frustrated with her own limitations.
In the ninth line of the poem, Barrett Browning writes, "Help me to thy praise." This line is interesting as it suggests that the poet is seeking inspiration from her husband to write poetry. The use of the phrase "help me" suggests that the poet is struggling to find inspiration and is turning to her husband for help. This creates a powerful image in the reader's mind, of a poet who is seeking guidance from her husband.
In the final two lines of the poem, Barrett Browning writes, "And raise my thoughts to thee and thine alway; / Having thee still to friend, remember me." These lines are beautifully written and create a powerful image in the reader's mind. The use of the phrase "raise my thoughts to thee" suggests that the poet's imagination is a tool that she uses to think about her husband. The use of the phrase "having thee still to friend" suggests that the poet sees her husband as a constant companion and friend. The use of the phrase "remember me" suggests that the poet is aware of her mortality and is asking her husband to remember her even when she is gone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Sonnet 26 - I lived with visions for my company" is a powerful piece of poetry that explores the theme of imagination and its role in shaping our lives. The poem is beautifully written and uses literary devices such as repetition and similes to create powerful images in the reader's mind. The poem is a testament to the power of love and the importance of imagination in our lives. Elizabeth Barrett Browning has created a timeless piece of poetry that will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s sonnet 26, “I lived with visions for my company,” is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the nature of creativity and the role of the artist in society. Written in the traditional sonnet form, the poem is a meditation on the poet’s relationship with her own imagination, and the ways in which her visions have shaped her life and her art.
The poem begins with the speaker declaring that she has “lived with visions for [her] company,” suggesting that her imagination has been a constant companion throughout her life. This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with vivid imagery and rich language that evoke the power and intensity of the poet’s creative vision.
Throughout the poem, the speaker describes the many ways in which her imagination has influenced her life and her art. She speaks of “dreams” that have “shaped [her] thought,” and of “phantoms” that have “haunted [her] brain.” These images suggest that the poet’s imagination is not simply a passive force in her life, but rather an active and dynamic presence that shapes her thoughts and actions.
The poem also explores the relationship between the artist and society. The speaker describes how her visions have often been misunderstood or dismissed by others, and how she has been forced to “hide [her] heart” from those who do not understand her creative vision. This theme of the artist as an outsider is a common one in Browning’s work, and reflects her own experiences as a female writer in a male-dominated literary world.
Despite the challenges she has faced, however, the speaker remains committed to her creative vision. She declares that she will continue to “live with visions” and to “dream [her] dreams,” even if others do not understand or appreciate them. This determination and resilience is a powerful message for artists of all kinds, and speaks to the importance of staying true to one’s own creative vision, even in the face of adversity.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language and imagery. Browning’s language is rich and evocative, filled with vivid descriptions and powerful metaphors. For example, she describes her visions as “phantoms,” suggesting that they are both elusive and haunting. She also speaks of her imagination as a “wild bird,” suggesting that it is both beautiful and untamed.
The poem’s use of the sonnet form is also worth noting. The sonnet is a traditional form of poetry that has been used by poets for centuries to explore themes of love, loss, and mortality. By using this form, Browning is able to connect her own experiences as an artist with a long tradition of poetic expression.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s sonnet 26, “I lived with visions for my company,” is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the nature of creativity and the role of the artist in society. Through vivid language and imagery, Browning captures the intensity and power of the poet’s creative vision, and speaks to the importance of staying true to one’s own creative vision, even in the face of adversity. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry as a means of expressing the deepest truths of the human experience.
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