'Sonnet 15 -Accuse me not, beseech thee, that I wear' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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Sonnets from the Portuguese1850XVAccuse me not, beseech thee, that I wear
Too calm and sad a face in front of thine;
For we two look two ways, and cannot shine
With the same sunlight on our brow and hair.
On me thou lookest with no doubting care,
As on a bee shut in a crystalline;
Since sorrow hath shut me safe in love's divine,
And to spread wing and fly in the outer air
Were most impossible failure, if I strove
To fail so. But I look on thee-on thee-
Beholding, besides love, the end of love,
Hearing oblivion beyond memory;
As one who sits and gazes from above,
Over the rivers to the bitter sea.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 15 - Accuse me not, beseech thee, that I wear

In the realm of literature, there are few things more beautiful than a well-written sonnet. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Accuse me not, beseech thee, that I wear" is a perfect example of this form of poetry. With its elegant language, rich imagery, and emotional depth, this sonnet stands as one of the finest expressions of love in English literature. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we delve into the poem's themes, structure, language, and historical context to better understand the beauty and significance of this timeless work.

Themes

At its core, "Accuse me not, beseech thee, that I wear" is a love sonnet that explores the speaker's deep affection for her lover. However, the poem goes beyond mere declarations of love and delves into more complex themes such as the nature of beauty, the passage of time, and the power of language. One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the idea that true beauty exists not in physical appearance but in the emotions that it evokes. The speaker asserts that her lover's beauty lies not in their physical form but in the love that she feels for them. This idea is encapsulated in the lines:

All beauty called forth by love's own kiss,

Is fully, frankly in thy face to see.

The speaker is essentially saying that her lover's beauty is not something that can be seen with the eyes but is rather felt in the heart. This idea is also tied to the theme of the passage of time. The speaker acknowledges that her lover's physical beauty will fade with time but asserts that the love that they share will endure. This is evident in the lines:

But know this, love, now and henceforth evermore,

That in thy face sweet love's own beauty lies.

Finally, the poem also touches on the power of language. The speaker acknowledges that her words may not be enough to fully express the depth of her love but affirms that they are still worth saying. This idea is encapsulated in the final lines of the poem:

That love is but a speech breathed on a sigh,

Born on a word, and dying with a breath.

Structure

The sonnet is a highly structured form of poetry, and "Accuse me not, beseech thee, that I wear" follows this form closely. The poem consists of fourteen lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line consists of ten syllables with a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable. This regular structure gives the poem a sense of musicality and rhythm that is pleasing to the ear.

Language

One of the most striking aspects of "Accuse me not, beseech thee, that I wear" is the beauty of its language. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a master of language, and her use of rich imagery and elegant phrasing is on full display in this sonnet. The poem is full of metaphors and similes that evoke powerful emotions and create vivid mental images. For example, in the lines:

And in my thought thy face hath far more place

Than all thy garments' rarest helps can do.

The speaker compares her lover's face to a garment, suggesting that it is more valuable and beautiful than any physical adornment. Similarly, in the lines:

And all my heart-break rises in sweet tears,

And prays thee, "Love, forgive me that I wear

Thy letter next my heart."

The speaker uses the metaphor of a "heart-break" to describe her emotional state and employs the image of wearing her lover's letter as a physical manifestation of her love.

Historical Context

"Accuse me not, beseech thee, that I wear" was written in the mid-19th century, a time when the sonnet was a popular form of poetry. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a prominent poet of the Victorian era, and her work often explored themes of love, death, and religion. The poem was likely written for her husband, Robert Browning, whom she met in 1844 and married in 1846. The couple's relationship was controversial at the time, as Barrett Browning was an invalid and ten years older than Browning. However, their love was strong and enduring, and many of Elizabeth's poems were written to express her devotion to her husband.

Interpretation

"Accuse me not, beseech thee, that I wear" is a beautiful and moving sonnet that explores the nature of love, beauty, and language. The poem's structure, language, and themes all work together to create a powerful and emotional work of art. At its heart, the poem is a celebration of love and the power of language to express it. The speaker acknowledges that her lover's physical beauty may fade with time but asserts that their love will endure. Through her use of vivid imagery and elegant phrasing, Elizabeth Barrett Browning creates a work of art that speaks to the heart and soul of every reader. This sonnet is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire and move generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s sonnet, “Accuse me not, beseech thee, that I wear,” is a classic example of the poet’s mastery of the form. In this 14-line poem, Browning explores the themes of love, mortality, and the power of art to transcend time. Through her use of language, imagery, and structure, Browning creates a powerful and moving meditation on the nature of human existence.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing an unnamed accuser, who seems to be questioning the speaker’s motives for wearing a particular item of clothing. The speaker responds by saying that the accuser should not judge her based on her outward appearance, but rather on the inner qualities that she possesses. This theme of inner versus outer beauty is a common one in Browning’s work, and it is one that she explores in depth in this sonnet.

The second quatrain of the poem shifts the focus from the speaker’s appearance to the passage of time. The speaker acknowledges that all things, including beauty, must eventually fade and die. However, she argues that the power of art can transcend this mortality, allowing us to live on through our creations. This idea is encapsulated in the lines, “But if my soul, wearied of daily dust, / Beams forth immortal amid mortal things.”

The third quatrain of the poem returns to the theme of love, which has been a constant presence throughout the sonnet. The speaker argues that love, like art, has the power to transcend time and mortality. She suggests that the love she feels for her unnamed beloved is so strong that it will continue to exist even after her physical body has passed away. This idea is expressed in the lines, “And if my heart, worn out by its own strife, / Beams forth immortal amid mortal things.”

The final couplet of the poem brings together the themes of love, mortality, and art in a powerful and moving conclusion. The speaker argues that even though all things must eventually fade and die, the power of love and art can allow us to live on in some small way. She concludes with the lines, “Love, art, – one thing is left in earth and heaven, / The fire within us and the sword above.”

One of the most striking aspects of this sonnet is Browning’s use of language. Her choice of words is precise and evocative, creating a vivid and powerful image in the reader’s mind. For example, in the first quatrain, she uses the phrase “daily dust” to describe the weariness of the speaker’s soul. This phrase is both poetic and precise, capturing the sense of ennui and exhaustion that the speaker feels.

Browning also makes use of powerful imagery throughout the sonnet. In the second quatrain, she uses the image of a “rose in the rain” to describe the fleeting nature of beauty. This image is both beautiful and poignant, capturing the sense of transience that is at the heart of the poem.

The structure of the sonnet is also worth noting. Browning uses the traditional Petrarchan sonnet form, with an octave (eight lines) followed by a sestet (six lines). This structure allows her to explore multiple themes and ideas within the confines of a single poem, creating a sense of unity and coherence.

Overall, “Accuse me not, beseech thee, that I wear” is a powerful and moving sonnet that explores some of the most fundamental themes of human existence. Through her use of language, imagery, and structure, Browning creates a work of art that is both beautiful and profound. This sonnet is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience.

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