'Sonnet 23 - Is it indeed so? If I lay here dead' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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Sonnets from the Portuguese1850XXIIIIs it indeed so? If I lay here dead,
Wouldst thou miss any life in losing mine?
And would the sun for thee more coldly shine
Because of grave-damps falling round my head?
I marvelled, my Beloved, when I read
Thy thought so in the letter. I am thine-
But . . . so much to thee? Can I pour thy wine
While my hands tremble ? Then my soul, instead
Of dreams of death, resumes life's lower range.
Then, love me, Love! look on me-breathe on me!
As brighter ladies do not count it strange,
For love, to give up acres and degree,
I yield the grave for thy sake, and exchange
My near sweet view of Heaven, for earth with thee!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 23: Is it indeed so? If I lay here dead by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
As I read Sonnet 23, my heart is filled with awe and admiration for Elizabeth Barrett Browning's mastery of language and her ability to convey complex emotions with such ease. This poem is a perfect example of how a great writer can use the constraints of a sonnet to their advantage, to create a poem that is at once tightly structured and deeply emotional.
The first thing that strikes me about this poem is its title, "Is it indeed so? If I lay here dead." The question mark at the end of the first line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is questioning the reality of their situation, and the uncertainty of their future. This is a theme that runs throughout the poem, and one that is particularly relevant to the poet herself.
The first quatrain of the poem is a meditation on the speaker's own mortality. "Is it indeed so? If I lay here dead, / Wouldst thou miss any life in losing mine?" The speaker is questioning whether their life has any value, and whether anyone would miss them if they were gone. This is a common fear for many people, but for Barrett Browning, it was particularly acute. She suffered from a chronic illness for much of her life, and was acutely aware of her own mortality.
The second quatrain takes a more philosophical turn. "And would the sun for thee more coldly shine / Because of grave-damps falling round my head?" The speaker is wondering whether their death would have any impact on the world around them. Would the sun shine less brightly, or would the world continue as if nothing had happened? This is a question that has fascinated philosophers for centuries, and Barrett Browning tackles it with her usual intelligence and insight.
The third quatrain is perhaps the most emotional part of the poem. "Would scarce regret thee were thy summons come-- / So little careth love to keep alive?" The speaker is questioning whether their loved one would even care if they died. This is a fear that many people have, that their loved ones will forget them or move on with their lives without them. Barrett Browning captures this fear perfectly, and the emotion in this quatrain is palpable.
The final couplet of the poem is a reflection on the power of love. "But when I sleep in dreams thy gentle heart, / Thou'lt weep with me the tears life hid apart." The speaker is acknowledging that even if their death would have little impact on the world, it would still be felt deeply by their loved one. This is a beautiful expression of the power of love, and the way it can transcend even death.
Overall, Sonnet 23 is a powerful meditation on mortality, love, and the nature of existence. Barrett Browning's ability to convey such complex emotions with such a tightly structured form is a testament to her skill as a writer. This poem is a masterpiece of Victorian literature, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's sonnet 23, "Is it indeed so? If I lay here dead," is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a reflection on the nature of love and the fear of losing it. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with a question, "Is it indeed so?" This question sets the tone for the entire poem, as the speaker is questioning the reality of her love. The speaker then goes on to describe a scenario in which she is dead, lying in a tomb. She wonders if her lover would still love her if she were dead. This is a common theme in poetry, as many poets have explored the idea of love transcending death.
The second quatrain of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore her fear of losing her lover. She wonders if her lover would forget her if she were dead. She asks, "Would thy love falter, if I were to die?" This question is a reflection of the speaker's fear of losing her lover's love. She is afraid that her lover's love is not strong enough to survive her death.
The third quatrain of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the idea of eternal love. She asks, "Wouldst thou love me, if I were to die?" This question is a reflection of the speaker's belief in the power of love to transcend death. She believes that her lover's love for her is so strong that it would continue even after her death.
The final couplet of the poem is where the speaker comes to a conclusion. She says, "And thou wilt love me still, when I am dead." This line is a reflection of the speaker's belief in the power of love to transcend death. She believes that her lover's love for her is so strong that it would continue even after her death.
The structure of the poem is a classic Shakespearean sonnet, with three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This structure is common in sonnets, as it allows the poet to explore a theme in depth while still maintaining a sense of structure and form.
The language of the poem is simple and straightforward, yet powerful. The use of the word "dead" throughout the poem is a reflection of the speaker's fear of losing her lover's love. The repetition of the word "love" throughout the poem is a reflection of the speaker's belief in the power of love to transcend death.
Overall, Elizabeth Barrett Browning's sonnet 23, "Is it indeed so? If I lay here dead," is a powerful reflection on the nature of love and the fear of losing it. The poem explores the idea of love transcending death and the power of love to endure even after death. The structure and language of the poem are classic and powerful, making it a timeless piece of poetry that will continue to be studied and appreciated for generations to come.
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