Sonnet 43 - About Flashcards
what is the poem about
the narrator expresses her intense love for her lover, counting all the different ways she loves him. She sees their love as spiritual and sacred, her love is so great she believes she will love him even after death
what is the form of the poem
Petrarchan sonnet - conforms to a specific rhyme scheme. Written in iambic pentameter - mimics normal speech. The metre is disrupted by pauses and repetition - speaker sounds passionate. First person gives the poem a personal feel
what is the structure of the poem
the first octave (8 lines) introduces main theme - her love is so intense, it’s almost divine. The sestet (remaining 6 lines) develops this theme - shows she loves him with the emotions of an entire lifetime - from childhood through to, and past, death
what language is used
exaggerated, religious and repetition
how is exaggerated language used
uses hyperbole to show the strength of the speaker’s feelings. uses exaggeration to put her feelings into words. The scale of her love and her life experiences contribute to her loves strength
how is religious language used
the speaker’s love is like a religion to her. Touches all aspects of her life and gives meaning to her existence. Her love is unconditional, like religious faith
how is repetition used
uses anaphora to emphasise words can’t convey the intensity of her emotions so she repeats the same ones to express the depth of her love
what is the same words repeatedly at the start of lines called
Anaphora
What is Anaphora
the same words repeatedly at the start of lines
what are the feelings and attitudes in the poem
deep and lasting love, unselfish love, virtue
how and why is deep and lasting love a feeling in the poem
speaker uses descriptions of spiritual love to emphasise the strength of her feelings. Her love is everlasting
how and why is unselfish love a feeling in the poem
the speaker asks for nothing in return. compares herself to the people who do the right thing without expecting a reward
how and why is virtue a feeling in the poem
she considers her love to be morally and spiritually right and worthy of God’s support
