sonnet 43

Question 1

poet

Answer 1

elizabeth barrett browning

Question 2

context

Answer 2

• father disowned her, opposed marriage of robert
• sonnets dedicated to Robert
• very religious when younger

Question 3

structure

Answer 3

-Petrarchan sonnet = traditional love form of poem
- octave = loves intensity and divinity
- sestet = eternal nature of emotions

Question 4

“how do i love thee?”

Answer 4

• sonnet acts as an answer to this question, “thee” seems direct and personal. Although, there is a lack of name or gender emulating the poem to be universal
• Phrase repeated extreme amount within the sonnet, perhaps reflective of the overwhelming nature of her love and admiration towards Robert.

Question 5

“depth and breadth and height”

Answer 5

• spatial metaphor = her love is immeasurable, it is limitless
  “and” repetition creates a passionate and excitable tone
• exceptionally romantic notion = connotes premature relationship, where everything your partner does encapsulates you and fulfils your mind

Question 6

“by sun and candlelight”

Answer 6

• passage of time doesnt affect her love,
• “sun” = fuels all life, immense magnitude
• “candlelight” = quite marginal
• her magnitude of love is endless but also highly effortless, it comes naturally