'Sonnet 33 - Yes, call me by my pet-name! let me hear' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning


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XXXIII

Yes, call me by my pet-name! let me hear
The name I used to run at, when a child,
From innocent play, and leave the cowslips piled,
To glance up in some face that proved me dear
With the look of its eyes. I miss the clear
Fond voices which, being drawn and reconciled
Into the music of Heaven's undefiled,
Call me no longer. Silence on the bier,
While I call God—call God!—So let thy mouth
Be heir to those who are now exanimate.
Gather the north flowers to complete the south,
And catch the early love up in the late.
Yes, call me by that name,—and I, in truth,
With the same heart, will answer and not wait.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 33 - Yes, call me by my pet-name! let me hear by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Introduction

When it comes to romantic poetry, Elizabeth Barrett Browning is considered one of the best poets of all time. Her sonnets were a reflection of her own personal experiences which made them both powerful and relatable. Sonnet 33, "Yes, call me by my pet-name! let me hear" is one such sonnet that portrays the longing of a lover to be called by their pet name by their beloved. It is a beautiful piece of poetry that captures the essence of love and passion.

Analysis

Stanza 1

Yes, call me by my pet-name! let me hear The name I used to run at, when a child, From innocent play, and leave the cowslips piled, To glance up in some face that proved me dear With the look of its eyes. I miss the clear Fond voices which, being drawn and reconciled Into the music of Heaven’s undefiled, Call me no longer. Silence on the bier, While I call God—call God!--So let thy mouth, Still red with kisses, whistle forth my praise, And I will give thee kisses, for thy vows Are all too poor for my bewildered ways, And for my passion—kisses of thy mouth, That have the fragrance of the sacred house.

In the first stanza, the speaker longs to hear their pet name that they used to be called by as a child. This name was used by someone they loved and who loved them in return. The speaker misses the innocent moments of their childhood when everything was pure and clear. They long for the voices that used to call them by their pet name, but those voices are now silent. The only voice that they can hear now is the voice of God, which is not the same. The speaker wants their beloved to call them by their pet name and to shower them with kisses. They want their beloved to praise them, but the speaker knows that their beloved's praises are too poor for their passion.

Stanza 2

What canst thou say, thy love being gone, Thou, whom the whole world Housed not one tongue? Yet, by thyself, upon the strain’d heart-string, Bear witness for me, whereso’er thou roame, That thou hast loved me!—say, hast thou not said That I was thine? that all those graces grave On me bestowed, wherein thou didst trade, Were not these beauties, turned adrift and strown By thee, to yield their possessor shame, When, for their sake, thou shouldst go pale and wan?

In the second stanza, the speaker asks their beloved what they can say now that their love is gone. The speaker wants their beloved to acknowledge that they loved them and to bear witness to this fact wherever they go. The speaker asks whether their beloved has not said that the speaker was theirs, and whether they have not traded on the speaker's graces. The speaker feels that their beloved has turned their beauties adrift and left them to suffer shame. The speaker wants their beloved to acknowledge that they have caused the speaker pain and that they have not been true to their love.

Stanza 3

But, oh, this long-pent-up breath, My full heart’s utterance! Thou art mine, All mine, and I have never said thee nay. I have called thee mine in my heart’s full faith, Sufficing claim for a believing soul; But, lest thy love should think I change and fail, And thou shouldst find a new-made thy scorn and hate, Behold me faithful!—unseal forth thy pale Sweet lips that tremble with love’s sweetest smile, And in thy glassy eyes give me back mine own, And let me call thee mine, to all the world beside.

In the third stanza, the speaker finally lets out their long-pent-up breath and declares that their beloved is theirs, and they have never denied this fact. The speaker has called their beloved theirs in their heart's full faith, which is enough for a believing soul. But, the speaker wants their beloved to know that they are faithful and that they will never change or fail. They want their beloved to unseal their sweet lips and let them call them theirs. The speaker wants their beloved to look into their glassy eyes and see their own love reflected back.

Interpretation

Sonnet 33 is a beautiful piece of poetry that captures the essence of true love and passion. The speaker longs to be called by their pet name and to hear the voices that used to call them by that name. They miss the innocent moments of their childhood when everything was pure and clear. The speaker wants their beloved to acknowledge that they loved them and to bear witness to this fact wherever they go. The speaker finally declares that their beloved is theirs, and they have never denied this fact.

The poem is a reflection of the power of love and the impact it can have on an individual's life. The speaker's longing for their pet name and the voices that used to call them by that name showcases the depth of their love for their beloved. Their desire to be acknowledged and loved by their beloved is a testament to the fact that love can be all-consuming and all-powerful.

The poem also highlights the fact that love can cause pain and suffering. The speaker feels that their beloved has turned their beauties adrift and left them to suffer shame. They want their beloved to acknowledge that they have caused the speaker pain and that they have not been true to their love. This showcases the fact that love is not always easy and can sometimes cause more pain than pleasure.

Overall, Sonnet 33 is a powerful piece of poetry that showcases the power of love and the impact it can have on an individual's life. The speaker's longing for their pet name and their desire to be acknowledged and loved by their beloved is a testament to the fact that love can be all-consuming and all-powerful. The poem also highlights the fact that love can cause pain and suffering, showcasing the fact that love is not always easy and can sometimes cause more pain than pleasure.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 33 - Yes, call me by my pet-name! let me hear, written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a beautiful expression of love and affection, and it is a perfect example of Browning's mastery of the sonnet form. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem, and we will examine how Browning uses these elements to create a powerful and moving work of art.

The first thing that strikes the reader about Sonnet 33 is its title. "Yes, call me by my pet-name! let me hear" is a direct and simple statement, but it is also full of emotion and meaning. The title sets the tone for the poem, and it prepares the reader for the intimate and personal nature of the speaker's request. The use of the exclamation mark also adds a sense of urgency and excitement to the title, which draws the reader in and makes them eager to read on.

The first quatrain of the sonnet begins with the speaker's request to be called by her pet-name. She says, "Yes, call me by my pet-name! let me hear / The name I used to run at, when a child, / From innocent play, and leave the cowslips piled, / To glance up in some face that proved me dear." Here, the speaker is expressing her desire to be called by the name that she was called as a child. This name is associated with happy memories of innocent play and the love of someone dear to her. By asking to be called by this name, the speaker is asking to be reminded of these happy times and to feel the love and affection that she felt as a child.

In the second quatrain, the speaker goes on to explain why she wants to be called by her pet-name. She says, "The tone, ev'n, to the old man's reverent ear, / Is laden with faint echoes many a year / Of such a name." Here, the speaker is saying that even an old man would recognize the name and associate it with happy memories. The name is so powerful that it can evoke memories and emotions even in someone who has never heard it before. This shows the power of names and the importance of the memories and emotions that they can evoke.

The third quatrain of the sonnet takes a more personal turn. The speaker says, "Thus, shall I always from thy side be driven, / Nor thy sweet converse miss'd, submissively / As widows weep for the dear love that's riven." Here, the speaker is saying that if she is not called by her pet-name, she will feel driven away from the person she loves. She will miss their sweet conversation, and she will feel like a widow mourning the loss of a loved one. This is a powerful image that shows the depth of the speaker's love and the importance of being called by her pet-name.

The final couplet of the sonnet brings the poem to a close. The speaker says, "Ah, less - less bright the stars of the night, / Than the eyes of the radiant girl!" Here, the speaker is saying that the eyes of the person she loves are brighter and more beautiful than the stars in the sky. This is a powerful image that shows the depth of the speaker's love and the beauty of the person she loves. It also brings the poem full circle, as the speaker's request to be called by her pet-name is ultimately a request to be loved and cherished by the person she loves.

In terms of structure, Sonnet 33 follows the traditional sonnet form of three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDC DCD, which is also typical of the sonnet form. The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality, which adds to its beauty and power. The use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next, also adds to the flow and rhythm of the poem.

The language of Sonnet 33 is simple and direct, but it is also full of emotion and meaning. The use of the exclamation mark in the title and throughout the poem adds a sense of urgency and excitement to the speaker's request. The use of imagery, such as the cowslips piled and the stars of the night, adds to the beauty and power of the poem. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "name" in the first quatrain, also adds to the rhythm and musicality of the poem.

In conclusion, Sonnet 33 - Yes, call me by my pet-name! let me hear, written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, is a beautiful and powerful expression of love and affection. The poem is a perfect example of Browning's mastery of the sonnet form, and it shows how she uses structure, language, and imagery to create a work of art that is both beautiful and moving. The poem is a testament to the power of names and the importance of the memories and emotions that they can evoke. It is a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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