Sonnet 43 Flashcards
(12 cards)
When was it published ?
1850
What is the context about Elizabeth Barret Browning ?
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s sonnet sequence was written before
she married Robert Browning to express her intense love for him.
Sonnet 43 is the most famous of the 44 sonnets. In it, Browning
attempts to define her love. The opening of the poem suggests it
arises from a question: ‘How do I love thee? Let me count the
ways!’
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s brother drowned at a young age and
as a result her father was very over-protective. She eloped against
his wishes with the poet, Robert Browning, showing how important
love was to her.
Elizabeth’s Barrett Browning’s father disinherited her after she
married Robert Browning .
What is the context around Elizabeth’s poems ?
Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a prominent Victorian poet.
She married the poet and playwright Robert Browning, who
was a major influence on her work, and to whom Sonnet 43
is addressed. Sonnet 43 is part of a longer sonnet sequence
of 44 sonnets called Sonnets from the Portuguese.
“My little Portuguese” was an affectionate pet name that
Robert used for Elizabeth, so by calling them sonnets “from
the Portuguese,” she was essentially saying “to Robert from
Elizabeth” in a secret way that most readers couldn’t decode
What is the poem about ?
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s sonnet sequence was written before she married Robert Browning to express her intense love for him. Sonnet 43 is the most famous of the 44 sonnets. In it, Browning attempts to define her love. The opening of the poem suggests it arises from a question: “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways!’
What does The opening line ‘How do I love thee?’ suggest ?
The opening line ‘How do I love thee?’ suggests an intimate conversation between lovers.
What does Elizabeth mean when she says ‘depth’ , ‘breath’ and ‘height’ ?
‘Depth’ ‘breath’ and ‘height’ are all weighty concepts which suggest her love is comprehensive and allows her to reach impossible extremes
How does show her intense feeling for Robert Barrett-Browning ?
By discussing one simple idea “most quiet need”
and one complex idea “Men strive for rights”. This shows the two very different ideas one simple and one complex to represent her intense feeling for her husband
What does Elizabeth say that mean she replaces her faith in God with her love for her husband ?
“Lost faith”
What does Elizabeth say as her final words to suggest death won’t even separate her and their love is eternal ?
“ I love thee better after death”
What is the structure of Sonnet 43 ?
Browning uses repetition of ‘ I love thee’. This sounds similar to a prayer so
therefore she could be praying/hoping that someday they will be able to
be together.
At the beginning of the poem she makes references to her love being
limitless and she also reinforces this at the end in the last line ‘I shall but
love thee more after death.
Sonnet 43 is the length of a traditional sonnet (14 lines) but doesn’t
follow the traditional sonnet rhyme scheme. There are rhyming couplets
yet the poem avoids a perfect rhyme scheme. Perhaps this reflects their
relationship – unconventional but with close unity.
What are the possible links and themes ?
Relationship and love : Cosy apologia, she walk in beauty and Valentine
