'Sonnet XXXI' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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Thou comest ! all is said without a word.
I sit beneath thy looks, as children do
In the noon-sun, with souls that tremble through
Their happy eyelids from an unaverred
Yet prodigal inward joy. Behold, I erred
In that last doubt ! and yet I cannot rue
The sin most, but the occasion--that we two
Should for a moment stand unministered
By a mutual presence. Ah, keep near and close,
Thou dovelike help ! and, when my fears would rise,
With thy broad heart serenely interpose:
Brood down with thy divine sufficiencies
These thoughts which tremble when bereft of those,
Like callow birds left desert to the skies.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Sonnet XXXI" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning: A Masterpiece of Intense Love
Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a name that needs no introduction in the world of English literature. She was a prolific poet who wrote some of the most beautiful and intense love poems of the Victorian era. "Sonnet XXXI" is one such poem that stands out as a masterpiece of poetic expression of profound love.
The Structure and Form of the Sonnet
"Sonnet XXXI" is a classic example of a Petrarchan sonnet, which consists of an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The poem follows the rhyme scheme ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which is typical of Petrarchan sonnets. The octave presents the problem or situation, while the sestet offers a resolution or a response to the situation.
The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is a meter that consists of ten syllables per line, with a stress on every other syllable. The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality, which adds to the emotional intensity of the poem.
The Theme of Intense Love
"Sonnet XXXI" is a poem that speaks of intense love and the depth of emotions that it can evoke. The poem is addressed to the speaker's lover, and it expresses the speaker's overwhelming love for the beloved. The poem begins with the speaker expressing her fear that her love for her beloved might be too intense and overwhelming:
"Thou comest! all is said without a word. I sit beneath thy looks, as children do In the noon-sun, with souls that tremble through Their happy eyelids from an unaverred Yet prodigal, joy. Ah, is it all thy grace Can do, for me, me who complete thy word?"
The use of the word "prodigal" suggests that the speaker's love is excessive and wasteful, but she cannot help feeling it. The speaker is overwhelmed by her lover's presence, and she feels as if her soul is trembling in joy. The use of the metaphor of children sitting in the noon-sun suggests the innocence and purity of the speaker's love.
The Conflict of Love and Fear
The speaker's intense love for her beloved is tempered by her fear of losing him. The speaker is aware of the fragility of their love and how quickly it can be taken away:
"But, oh, speak some gentle word of peace, That I may back my thoughts from that abyss Of tears and darkness, where, if I should miss, My footing, and fall inward, there should cease The ready kiss on my lips."
The use of the word "abyss" suggests the speaker's fear of losing her lover, and how that loss would plunge her into darkness and despair. The speaker longs for a "gentle word of peace" from her beloved, which would reassure her and strengthen their love.
The Resolution of Love and Faith
The sestet of the poem offers a resolution to the conflict between love and fear. The speaker expresses her faith in her love and her belief that it will endure:
"Thy slightest look or tone, Of love or peace, slays all the fear in me. I lose my way, confounded with the glory; No wonder, when I felt so fully known. And yet I love thee less than thou canst love, For, oh, the excess of joy that hugged me then!"
The speaker's faith in her lover's love is so strong that even his slightest look or tone of love or peace can slay all her fears. The use of the word "glory" suggests the speaker's awe and wonder at the power of their love. The speaker feels fully known and understood by her beloved, which adds to the intensity of their love.
The Use of Imagery and Metaphor
Browning's use of imagery and metaphor in "Sonnet XXXI" adds to the emotional intensity and beauty of the poem. The use of the metaphor of children sitting in the noon-sun suggests the innocence and purity of the speaker's love. The use of the word "prodigal" suggests the excessiveness and wastefulness of the speaker's love. The use of the word "abyss" suggests the speaker's fear of losing her lover and the depths of despair that she would fall into.
Conclusion
"Sonnet XXXI" is a masterpiece of poetic expression of intense love. The poem explores the conflict between love and fear and offers a resolution of love and faith. Browning's use of imagery and metaphor adds to the emotional intensity and beauty of the poem. The poem is a testament to the power of love to overcome fear and to endure even in the face of adversity. It is a poem that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet XXXI by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and emotional work that captures the essence of love and the pain that comes with it. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing her lover, saying, "Thou comest! all is said without a word." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker's lover has arrived and that everything that needs to be said has already been communicated between them. The use of the word "comest" is significant, as it is an archaic form of "come," which adds a sense of timelessness to the poem.
The next line, "I sit beneath thy leaves, dear love, and fold," is a metaphor that compares the speaker to a flower sitting beneath the leaves of a tree. This metaphor suggests that the speaker is vulnerable and in need of protection, and that her lover provides that protection for her. The use of the word "fold" also suggests that the speaker is content and at peace in her lover's presence.
The third line, "My weary heart, which all night long hath told," is a continuation of the metaphor from the previous line. The speaker's heart is personified as being "weary," which suggests that it has been through a lot of emotional turmoil. The phrase "all night long" suggests that the speaker has been thinking about her lover for a long time, perhaps even losing sleep over him.
The fourth line, "Its love, and thy dear name hath been its stay," is a declaration of the speaker's love for her lover. The use of the word "stay" suggests that her lover is a source of stability and comfort for her, and that his presence in her life has helped her through difficult times.
The next two lines, "There slept awhile, and waked, and slept again," suggest that the speaker's heart has been through a cycle of emotions. It has slept, or been at peace, for a while, but then it wakes up and experiences the pain of love again. This cycle repeats itself over and over, suggesting that the speaker's love for her lover is both a source of joy and pain.
The seventh line, "Still, love, still," is a repetition of the word "still" that emphasizes the speaker's enduring love for her lover. The use of repetition is a common technique in poetry, and it is used here to emphasize the speaker's feelings.
The eighth line, "Even for this, I rise and bid thee hail," suggests that the speaker is willing to endure the pain of love for the sake of her lover. She rises to greet him, even though she knows that her heart will be filled with both joy and pain.
The ninth line, "And send my soul through the invisible," is a metaphor that compares the speaker's soul to a messenger that travels through the invisible realm of emotions. This line suggests that the speaker's love for her lover is not just physical, but also spiritual.
The final two lines, "Some letter of that love to write in fire," suggest that the speaker wants to express her love for her lover in a powerful and enduring way. The use of the word "fire" suggests that her love is intense and passionate, and that it will burn brightly for a long time.
In terms of structure, Sonnet XXXI follows the traditional form of a sonnet, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. The use of iambic pentameter, with ten syllables per line and a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables, gives the poem a musical quality that adds to its emotional impact.
The language used in the poem is rich and evocative, with metaphors and imagery that create a vivid picture of the speaker's emotions. The use of archaic language, such as "comest" and "hath," adds to the poem's timeless quality and gives it a sense of history and tradition.
In conclusion, Sonnet XXXI by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a beautiful and emotional work that captures the essence of love and the pain that comes with it. The poem's structure, language, and imagery all work together to create a powerful and enduring piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates beautiful writing, Sonnet XXXI is a must-read.
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