Sonnet 43by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a powerful expression... Show more
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Poem annotation ‘sonnet 43’
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23 Feb 2023
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Sonnet 43 Annotation - Simple Summary and Line-by-Line Analysis
jasmine
@jasmine01928472
Sonnet 43 Analysis
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 43, also known as "How do I love thee? ", is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that explores the multifaceted nature of love. This line-by-line analysis reveals the depth and complexity of the poet's emotions.
Quote: "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways."
This opening line sets the tone for the entire poem, introducing the central theme of quantifying and describing love in various ways.
Highlight: The poem uses measurements and comparisons to express the vastness of the speaker's love.
The poet employs phrases like "depth and breadth and height" to convey the immeasurable nature of her affection. This use of spatial imagery creates a sense of love that extends beyond physical boundaries.
Vocabulary: Anaphora - A rhetorical device where a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.
The repetition of "I love thee" throughout the poem is an example of anaphora, emphasizing the speaker's devotion and the many facets of her love.
Example: "I love thee to the level of every day's / Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight."
This line illustrates how the speaker's love extends to everyday life, suggesting that her affection is not just for grand moments but also for the quiet, ordinary aspects of existence.
Definition: Petrarchan sonnet - A 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and typically divided into an octave and a sestet.
The Sonnet 43 structure follows the Petrarchan form, with the octave presenting the ways of loving and the sestet delving into the spiritual aspects of love.
Highlight: The poem draws parallels between romantic love and religious devotion.
Phrases like "ideal Grace" and "lost saints" suggest that the speaker's love has either restored her faith in God or replaced her religious devotion with romantic love.
Quote: "I love thee with the passion put to use / In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith."
This line implies that the speaker's love is as intense as her past sorrows and as pure as her childhood beliefs, adding depth to her emotional expression.
Vocabulary: Volta - A turn or shift in thought or emotion in a sonnet, typically occurring between the octave and sestet.
The volta in Sonnet 43 is subtle, transitioning from describing the ways of loving to exploring the spiritual and eternal nature of love.
Highlight: The poem concludes with a reference to love extending beyond death.
The final lines, "and, if God choose, / I shall but love thee better after death," suggest that the speaker's love is so profound that it will continue to grow even in the afterlife.
This Victorian poetry analysis of Sonnet 43 reveals Elizabeth Barrett Browning's masterful use of poetic techniques to express the depth and complexity of love. The poem's enduring popularity is a testament to its ability to capture the universal experience of profound affection.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Sonnet 43 Annotation - Simple Summary and Line-by-Line Analysis
jasmine
@jasmine01928472
Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a powerful expression of love, utilizing the Petrarchan sonnet form to convey the depth and breadth of the poet's affection. This Victorian poetry analysisexplores the various ways in which the speaker loves,... Show more
Sonnet 43 Analysis
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 43, also known as "How do I love thee? ", is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that explores the multifaceted nature of love. This line-by-line analysis reveals the depth and complexity of the poet's emotions.
Quote: "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways."
This opening line sets the tone for the entire poem, introducing the central theme of quantifying and describing love in various ways.
Highlight: The poem uses measurements and comparisons to express the vastness of the speaker's love.
The poet employs phrases like "depth and breadth and height" to convey the immeasurable nature of her affection. This use of spatial imagery creates a sense of love that extends beyond physical boundaries.
Vocabulary: Anaphora - A rhetorical device where a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.
The repetition of "I love thee" throughout the poem is an example of anaphora, emphasizing the speaker's devotion and the many facets of her love.
Example: "I love thee to the level of every day's / Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight."
This line illustrates how the speaker's love extends to everyday life, suggesting that her affection is not just for grand moments but also for the quiet, ordinary aspects of existence.
Definition: Petrarchan sonnet - A 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and typically divided into an octave and a sestet.
The Sonnet 43 structure follows the Petrarchan form, with the octave presenting the ways of loving and the sestet delving into the spiritual aspects of love.
Highlight: The poem draws parallels between romantic love and religious devotion.
Phrases like "ideal Grace" and "lost saints" suggest that the speaker's love has either restored her faith in God or replaced her religious devotion with romantic love.
Quote: "I love thee with the passion put to use / In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith."
This line implies that the speaker's love is as intense as her past sorrows and as pure as her childhood beliefs, adding depth to her emotional expression.
Vocabulary: Volta - A turn or shift in thought or emotion in a sonnet, typically occurring between the octave and sestet.
The volta in Sonnet 43 is subtle, transitioning from describing the ways of loving to exploring the spiritual and eternal nature of love.
Highlight: The poem concludes with a reference to love extending beyond death.
The final lines, "and, if God choose, / I shall but love thee better after death," suggest that the speaker's love is so profound that it will continue to grow even in the afterlife.
This Victorian poetry analysis of Sonnet 43 reveals Elizabeth Barrett Browning's masterful use of poetic techniques to express the depth and complexity of love. The poem's enduring popularity is a testament to its ability to capture the universal experience of profound affection.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user