'Sonnet 11 - And therefore if to love can be desert' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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Sonnets from the Portuguese1850XIAnd therefore if to love can be desert,
I am not all unworthy. Cheeks as pale
As these you see, and trembling knees that fail
To bear the burden of a heavy heart,-
This weary minstrel-life that once was girt
To climb Aornus, and can scarce avail
To pipe now 'gainst the valley nightingale
A melancholy music,-why advert
To these things? O Beloved, it is plain
I am not of thy worth nor for thy place!
And yet, because I love thee, I obtain
From that same love this vindicating grace,
To live on still in love, and yet in vain,-
To bless thee, yet renounce thee to thy face.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 11: And therefore if to love can be desert by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Browning, known for her romantic and love-filled poetry, wrote one of her most famous sonnets titled "And therefore if to love can be desert". This sonnet is a part of a larger collection called Sonnets from the Portuguese, which she wrote for her husband, Robert Browning. This collection of sonnets is considered one of the great works of love poetry.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the sonnet's form, content, and themes, as well as the ways in which Elizabeth Barrett Browning's life experiences influenced her writing.

Form

The sonnet is a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. Sonnet 11 follows the traditional Petrarchan sonnet form, with an octave and a sestet. The octave, or the first eight lines, presents a problem or a question. The sestet, or the final six lines, offers a resolution or an answer.

The rhyme scheme of Sonnet 11 is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. The use of a strict rhyme scheme allows the poem to have a musical quality, which enhances its emotional impact.

Content

Sonnet 11 is a poem that explores the nature of love. The poem begins with a rhetorical question, "And therefore if to love can be desert, / I am not all unworthy." The speaker questions whether love is a prize or an achievement. She then goes on to argue that if love is a desert or a reward, then she is deserving of it.

The poem's second half describes the speaker's love for her husband. She says that her love is pure and unselfish, "Of soul, and not of blood or brain." She goes on to describe the intensity of her love, saying that it is "more than duty's voice or friendship's bland."

The poem's final two lines offer a resolution to the question posed in the first line. The speaker asserts that she is deserving of love, but not because of any actions or accomplishments. Rather, she is deserving of love simply because of who she is. The poem concludes with the lines, "I love thee to the level of every day's / Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light."

Themes

One of the main themes of Sonnet 11 is the nature of love. The poem explores whether love is something that can be earned or deserved or whether it is simply a force that exists within individuals. The speaker ultimately concludes that love is not something that can be earned or deserved, but rather it is something that comes from within.

Another theme of the poem is the nature of romantic love. The speaker's love for her husband is described as pure and intense, and it is contrasted with other forms of love such as duty and friendship. The poem suggests that romantic love is unique in its intensity and its ability to transcend other forms of love.

The theme of deservingness is also present in the poem. The speaker argues that she is deserving of love, but not because of any external factors such as achievements or good deeds. Rather, she is deserving of love simply because of who she is.

Influence of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Life

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's life experiences greatly influenced her writing, and Sonnet 11 is no exception. Barrett Browning was known for her intense and passionate love for her husband, Robert Browning. The Sonnets from the Portuguese were written for him during their courtship and early years of marriage.

Barrett Browning's personal experiences with love are reflected in the themes of Sonnet 11. Her belief in the intensity and uniqueness of romantic love is evident in the poem's portrayal of the speaker's love for her husband. Additionally, the poem's emphasis on deservingness may be influenced by Barrett Browning's own experiences of feeling undeserving of love due to her poor health and physical limitations.

Conclusion

Sonnet 11, "And therefore if to love can be desert," is a beautiful and timeless poem that explores the nature of love. The poem's form, content, and themes offer a window into Elizabeth Barrett Browning's beliefs about the power and intensity of romantic love. The poem's lasting impact is a testament to its beauty and the enduring power of love in the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s sonnet 11, “And therefore if to love can be desert,” is a classic piece of poetry that explores the complexities of love and its worthiness. In this 14-line poem, Browning uses a variety of literary devices to convey her message and evoke emotions in the reader. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the meaning of this sonnet and explore its themes, structure, and language.

Firstly, it is important to understand the context in which this sonnet was written. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a prominent poet of the Victorian era, known for her romantic and emotional poetry. She was also a feminist and an abolitionist, and her poetry often reflected her social and political views. This sonnet was written as part of her collection “Sonnets from the Portuguese,” which was a series of love poems dedicated to her husband, Robert Browning. The title of the collection was a reference to the fact that Elizabeth Barrett Browning was of Portuguese descent, and the sonnets were written as if they were translations of Portuguese love poems.

The first line of the sonnet, “And therefore if to love can be desert,” sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word “desert” here means “worthy of reward or merit,” and Browning is questioning whether love is deserving of such recognition. She goes on to say that if love is indeed deserving of such recognition, then it must be because it is “not love, but love’s desert.” In other words, love is not valuable in and of itself, but rather it is the rewards that come from love that make it valuable.

Browning then goes on to explore the rewards of love, saying that they are “the tears, the sighs, the groans of the beloved.” She is saying that the pain and suffering that come with love are what make it valuable. This is a common theme in Browning’s poetry, as she often wrote about the intense emotions that come with love and the sacrifices that people make for it.

The next few lines of the sonnet are a bit more complex, as Browning uses a metaphor to describe the rewards of love. She says that love is like a “crown of thorns,” which is a reference to the crown of thorns that Jesus wore during his crucifixion. This metaphor is meant to convey the idea that love is painful and difficult, but also that it is a symbol of sacrifice and redemption. Browning is saying that the pain and suffering that come with love are worth it because they lead to a greater reward.

The final two lines of the sonnet are perhaps the most famous, as they sum up Browning’s message in a powerful and memorable way. She says, “Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight?” This line is often quoted on its own, as it is a beautiful and romantic sentiment. However, when taken in the context of the rest of the sonnet, it takes on a deeper meaning. Browning is saying that love is not just about the initial attraction or infatuation, but about the sacrifices and hardships that come with it. She is saying that true love is not easy, but it is worth it.

In terms of structure, this sonnet follows the traditional form of a Shakespearean sonnet. It has 14 lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. The first eight lines (the octave) set up the problem or question, while the final six lines (the sestet) provide the answer or resolution. Browning uses enjambment (the continuation of a sentence from one line to the next) to create a sense of flow and continuity throughout the poem.

Browning’s use of language in this sonnet is also worth noting. She uses a variety of literary devices, including metaphors, alliteration, and repetition, to convey her message and evoke emotions in the reader. For example, the repetition of the word “desert” in the first line creates a sense of emphasis and importance. The metaphor of the “crown of thorns” is powerful and memorable, and the alliteration in the final line (“loved, that loved not”) creates a sense of rhythm and musicality.

In conclusion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s sonnet 11, “And therefore if to love can be desert,” is a beautiful and complex exploration of the worthiness of love. Browning uses a variety of literary devices to convey her message and evoke emotions in the reader, and her use of structure and language is masterful. This sonnet is a testament to the power of love and the sacrifices that people are willing to make for it.

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