'Sonnet 03 - Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart!' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning


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III

Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart!
Unlike our uses and our destinies.
Our ministering two angels look surprise
On one another, as they strike athwart
Their wings in passing. Thou, bethink thee, art
A guest for queens to social pageantries,
With gages from a hundred brighter eyes
Than tears even can make mine, to play thy part
Of chief musician. What hast thou to do
With looking from the lattice-lights at me,
A poor, tired, wandering singer, singing through
The dark, and leaning up a cypress tree?
The chrism is on thine head,—on mine, the dew,—
And Death must dig the level where these agree.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 03: Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart!

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 03 is an exquisite poem that speaks to the heart of love and the differences that exist between lovers. In this sonnet, Browning compares and contrasts the differences between herself and her beloved, highlighting the beauty that arises from the union of two different souls. The poem is a masterful work of art that captures the essence of true love, and this literary criticism and interpretation will unpack the rich meaning and symbolism embedded in this classic poem.

Background

Sonnet 03 is part of a collection of poems known as Sonnets from the Portuguese, which were written by Browning during her courtship with Robert Browning. At the time, Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a well-known poet, and her work was highly regarded by her contemporaries. Robert Browning was also a poet, and the two fell in love through a series of letters and personal conversations. The Sonnets from the Portuguese were written to express Elizabeth's deep love for her new husband and her desire to be with him forever.

Analysis

The sonnet opens with the speaker addressing her beloved. The first line, "Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart!" sets the tone for the poem. The use of the word "princely" suggests that the beloved is of noble character and that the speaker holds him in high regard. The repetition of "unlike" emphasizes the differences between the two lovers and sets up the contrast that is explored throughout the poem.

The second line, "Our different instincts" introduces the theme of contrast. The use of the word "instincts" suggests that the differences between the two are not just surface level but are deeply ingrained in their personalities. This contrast is further explored in the following lines, "Our souls’ diverse inclinations; Worlds apart / We drift, like plant and wind apart." The comparison of the lovers to "plant and wind" highlights the transitory nature of their relationship. The wind moves without a fixed path, while the plant remains rooted in one place. This contrast suggests that the two lovers are moving in different directions, and their relationship is fragile.

The third quatrain introduces a more positive note, with the speaker acknowledging the beauty that arises from the differences between the two. The lines, "Our passions’ different violences / Strike a new fire from each other" suggest that the intensity of their love is fueled by the contrast between the two. The use of the word "violence" suggests that their passions are strong and intense, but the beauty that arises from their union is worth it.

The final couplet sums up the theme of the poem, with the speaker declaring that their differences are what make their love special. The lines, "And when the whirlwinds of life's fierce fret / Beat up against our souls, / And ideas, are changed again / Into the substance of things unseen" suggest that their love will withstand the challenges of life. The use of the word "unseen" suggests that their love is not just physical but spiritual and will endure beyond this life.

Interpretation

Sonnet 03 is a powerful poem that speaks to the heart of love and the beauty that arises from the union of two different souls. The poem is a celebration of the differences that exist between lovers and highlights the fact that true love is not about finding someone who is exactly like you but about finding someone who complements you.

The repetition of "unlike" throughout the poem emphasizes the differences between the two lovers. However, the poem is not a lamentation of these differences but a celebration. The beauty that arises from the contrast between the two is what makes their love special.

The use of the metaphor "plant and wind" in the second quatrain emphasizes the transitory nature of their relationship. However, the image of the wind and the plant also suggests that the two are connected, and their relationship is not just fleeting but meaningful. The image of the wind and the plant is also a metaphor for the contrast between the two, with the wind representing the lover's passion and the plant representing the speaker's stability.

The use of the word "violence" in the third quatrain suggests that the differences between the two are not just superficial but deeply ingrained in their characters. The intensity of their passions is what fuels their love and makes it special.

The final couplet sums up the theme of the poem, with the speaker declaring that their differences are what make their love special. The use of the word "whirlwinds" suggests that their love will face challenges, but it will endure. The use of the word "unseen" suggests that their love is not just physical but spiritual and will endure beyond this life.

Conclusion

Sonnet 03 is a masterful work of art that captures the essence of true love. Browning's use of contrast and metaphor highlights the beauty that arises from the union of two different souls. The poem is a celebration of the differences that exist between lovers and highlights the fact that true love is not about finding someone who is exactly like you but about finding someone who complements you. Sonnet 03 is a timeless work of art that speaks to the heart of love and will continue to inspire generations of lovers.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 03 - Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart! is a classic poem written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. This poem is a beautiful representation of the love between two people who are different in every way. The poem is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem begins with the line, "Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart!" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is acknowledging that she and her lover are different in every way. She refers to her lover as a "princely heart," which suggests that he is noble and regal. The speaker is aware that she is not like him, but she still loves him deeply.

The second line of the poem reads, "Our different minds are as unlike as fire and frost." This line emphasizes the differences between the speaker and her lover. She compares their minds to fire and frost, which are two completely opposite elements. Fire is hot and passionate, while frost is cold and distant. This comparison highlights the fact that the speaker and her lover are completely different in their thoughts and emotions.

In the third line, the speaker says, "How can we join in love, O princely Heart?" This line shows the speaker's concern about their differences. She wonders how they can be in love when they are so different. This line also suggests that the speaker is questioning whether their love can survive the differences between them.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "Will our hearts mingle, and forget their own?" This line is a question that the speaker is asking her lover. She wonders if their hearts can come together and forget their own differences. This line shows the speaker's hope that their love can overcome their differences.

In the fifth and sixth lines, the speaker says, "Or will thy love, like mine, wave on the shore, / And lonely as a widowed seabird fly?" These lines suggest that the speaker is afraid that her lover's love will not be strong enough to overcome their differences. She compares his love to a seabird flying alone, which is a lonely and sad image.

The seventh and eighth lines of the poem read, "Haply, in such a place, as we have seen, / They two stood there, and will again, my love." These lines suggest that the speaker and her lover have been in a place where two people who are different have come together in love. The speaker is hopeful that they will be able to do the same.

In the ninth and tenth lines, the speaker says, "Aye, thou art sure my partner in delight, / Thou hast a sympathizing song to sing." These lines show that the speaker's lover is her partner in delight. He understands her and has a song to sing that is sympathetic to her. This line suggests that the speaker's lover is able to understand her despite their differences.

In the eleventh and twelfth lines, the speaker says, "Service is thy due, / And I, being served, thy servant am in sight." These lines suggest that the speaker is willing to serve her lover despite their differences. She acknowledges that he deserves to be served, and she is willing to be his servant.

The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem read, "But will thou yield thyself to be, / A bounden slave to the high dignity / Thou boldest in heaven, – being crowned with love?" These lines suggest that the speaker is asking her lover if he is willing to be a slave to love. She wonders if he is willing to give up his high position in heaven to be with her. This line shows the speaker's hope that their love can overcome their differences.

In conclusion, Sonnet 03 - Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart! is a beautiful poem that explores the differences between two people in love. The poem shows that love can overcome even the greatest differences. The speaker is hopeful that their love can survive despite their differences. This poem is a testament to the power of love and the hope that it brings.

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