'Sonnet 22 - When our two souls stand up erect and strong' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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Sonnets from the Portuguese1850XXIIWhen our two souls stand up erect and strong,
Face to face, silent, drawing nigh and nigher,
Until the lengthening wings break into fire
At either curved point,-what bitter wrong
Can the earth do to us, that we should not long
Be here contented? Think. In mounting higher,
The angels would press on us and aspire
To drop some golden orb of perfect song
Into our deep, dear silence. Let us stay
Rather on earth, Beloved,-where the unfit
Contrarious moods of men recoil away
And isolate pure spirits, and permit
A place to stand and love in for a day,
With darkness and the death-hour rounding it.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 22 - When our two souls stand up erect and strong

When our two souls stand up erect and strong,
Face to face, silent, drawing nigh and nigher,
Until the lengthening wings break into fire
At either curved point,—what bitter wrong
Can the earth do to us, that we should not long
Be here contented? Think. In mounting higher,
The angels would press on us, and aspire
To drop some golden orb of perfect song
Into our deep, dear silence. Let us stay
Rather on earth, Beloved,—where the unfit
Contrarious moods of men recoil away
And isolate pure spirits, and permit
A place to stand and love in for a day,
With darkness and the death-hour rounding it.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 22, "When our two souls stand up erect and strong", is an exploration of the intense love and spiritual connection between two individuals. This sonnet speaks to the idea that a strong and lasting relationship can be formed when two souls come together and stand strong in the face of adversity. It is a powerful and emotional piece of literature that captures the essence of love and the human experience.

The opening lines of the sonnet set the tone for the rest of the poem. The image of two souls standing erect and strong face to face is a powerful symbol of the strength and resilience of love. The use of the word “erect” connotes a sense of strength and determination, while the word “strong” reinforces the idea that the connection between the two souls is unbreakable. The phrase “drawing nigh and nigher” suggests a sense of inevitability, as if the two souls are inexorably drawn together.

The next lines of the sonnet introduce the idea of the “lengthening wings” breaking into fire. This image is both beautiful and powerful, suggesting the idea of the two souls rising above the earthly plane and achieving a higher state of being. The use of the word “bitter” in the line “what bitter wrong can the earth do to us” suggests that there are forces at work that would seek to keep the two souls apart, but that their love is strong enough to withstand any challenge.

The following lines of the sonnet introduce the idea of the angels pressing on the two souls, seeking to drop a golden orb of perfect song into their deep and dear silence. This image is both spiritual and romantic, suggesting that the love between the two souls is something transcendent and divine. The use of the phrase “deep, dear silence” reinforces the idea that the connection between the two souls is something profound and enduring.

The final lines of the sonnet are perhaps the most moving. The speaker suggests that it is better to stay on earth, where the unfit contrarious moods of men recoil away and isolate pure spirits. This suggests that the love between the two souls is something pure and unspoiled by the corrupting influence of the world. The final phrase, “with darkness and the death-hour rounding it”, suggests that even in the face of death, the love between the two souls endures.

Overall, Sonnet 22 is a powerful and moving exploration of love and the human experience. Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s use of language and imagery is masterful, and the sonnet as a whole is a testament to the enduring power of love. Whether read as a celebration of romantic love or as a spiritual meditation on the nature of the soul, this sonnet is a masterpiece of English literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

When our two souls stand up erect and strong,
Face to face, silent, drawing nigh and nigher,
Until the lengthening wings break into fire
At either curvèd point,—what bitter wrong
Can the earth do to us, that we should not long
Be here contented? Think! In mounting higher,
The angels would press on us and aspire
To drop some golden orb of perfect song
Into our deep, dear silence. Let us stay
Rather on earth, Belovèd,—where the unfit
Contrarious moods of men recoil away
And isolate pure spirits, and permit
With darkness and the death-hour rounding it.
Sonnet 22 - When our two souls stand up erect and strong by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnet 22 - When our two souls stand up erect and strong" is a beautiful piece of poetry that explores the power of love and the connection between two souls. The sonnet is written in the traditional Shakespearean form, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. It is a perfect example of Browning's mastery of the sonnet form and her ability to convey complex emotions through her poetry.

The sonnet begins with the image of two souls standing erect and strong, face to face, drawing closer and closer until their wings break into fire. This image is a powerful metaphor for the intensity of the connection between two people in love. The use of the word "erect" suggests strength and stability, while "strong" emphasizes the power of the connection between the two souls. The image of the wings breaking into fire suggests a moment of intense passion and desire, as the two souls come together in a moment of perfect unity.

Browning then asks what "bitter wrong" the earth could do to the two souls that would prevent them from being contented. This question suggests that the love between the two souls is so strong that nothing in the world could come between them. The use of the word "contented" suggests a sense of peace and happiness that comes from being in love.

The next few lines of the sonnet explore the idea of the angels pressing on the two souls and aspiring to drop a "golden orb of perfect song" into their deep, dear silence. This image is a beautiful one, suggesting that the love between the two souls is so pure and perfect that it inspires the angels themselves. The use of the word "deep" suggests a sense of profound connection between the two souls, while "dear" emphasizes the value of that connection.

Browning then suggests that the two souls should stay on earth, rather than ascending to the heavens with the angels. This idea is a powerful one, suggesting that the love between the two souls is so strong that it transcends even the divine. The use of the word "Belovèd" emphasizes the depth of the love between the two souls, while "unfit Contrarious moods of men" suggests that the world outside of their love is full of conflict and strife.

The final lines of the sonnet suggest that the isolation of the two souls is a good thing, as it allows them to be pure spirits and to connect with each other on a deeper level. The use of the words "darkness" and "death-hour" suggest that the love between the two souls is so strong that it can even overcome the darkness of the world around them.

In conclusion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnet 22 - When our two souls stand up erect and strong" is a beautiful and powerful piece of poetry that explores the power of love and the connection between two souls. The use of powerful metaphors and imagery creates a sense of intensity and passion that is both beautiful and moving. The sonnet is a perfect example of Browning's mastery of the sonnet form and her ability to convey complex emotions through her poetry.

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