Sonnet 43 Analysis

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 43 is a masterpiece of romantic poetry, showcasing the depth and intensity of love through carefully crafted language and structure. This 14-line poem follows the traditional sonnet form, with a rhyme scheme that echoes Shakespeare's sonnets.

The poem begins with the famous line, "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways," immediately setting the tone for a detailed exploration of love. This opening line mimics Shakespearean style, paying homage to the sonnet tradition while introducing a more personal and direct approach.

Quote: "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways."

Barrett Browning employs a semantic field of measurement throughout the poem, using terms like "depth," "breadth," and "height" to quantify her love. This technique effectively conveys the all-encompassing nature of her feelings.

Highlight: The use of measurement terms emphasizes the vastness and completeness of the speaker's love.

The poem makes extensive use of enjambment, with thoughts and phrases spilling over from one line to the next. This technique creates a sense of overflow, mirroring the boundless nature of the speaker's love.

Example: "I love thee to the depth and breadth and height / My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight"

The repetition of "I love thee" at the beginning of several lines reinforces the poem's central theme and creates a rhythmic, almost incantatory quality. This repetition also serves to emphasize the various facets of the speaker's love.

Vocabulary: Enjambment - The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next without a pause.

Barrett Browning incorporates religious imagery and allusions throughout the sonnet, comparing her love to "ideal Grace" and referencing "lost saints." This spiritual dimension adds depth to the poem and suggests that her love transcends the earthly realm.

Definition: Volta - A turn or shift in thought or emotion in a sonnet, typically occurring between the octave and sestet.

The poem's volta, or turning point, occurs in the final lines, where the speaker declares that her love will continue even after death. This powerful conclusion emphasizes the eternal nature of her feelings.

Quote: "I shall but love thee better after death."

Context plays a crucial role in understanding Sonnet 43. Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote this poem in 1850, during her courtship with fellow poet Robert Browning. Their relationship, which began through correspondence about poetry, blossomed into a deep love despite Barrett Browning's chronic illness and her father's disapproval.

Highlight: The poem's personal nature reflects Barrett Browning's own experiences of love and adversity.

The sonnet's themes include:

• The immeasurable nature of love
• The connection between love and spirituality
• The endurance of love beyond death

In conclusion, Sonnet 43 stands as a testament to the power of love, expertly crafted to convey the depth and breadth of the speaker's emotions. Its enduring popularity is a testament to Barrett Browning's skill in capturing the universal experience of profound love.