'Sonnet 05 - I lift my heavy heart up solemnly' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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I lift my heavy heart up solemnly,
As once Electra her sepulchral urn,
And, looking in thine eyes, I overturn
The ashes at thy feet. Behold and see
What a great heap of grief lay hid in me,
And how the red wild sparkles dimly burn
Through the ashen grayness. If thy foot in scorn
Could tread them out to darkness utterly,
It might be well perhaps. But if instead
Thou wait beside me for the wind to blow
The gray dust up, . . . those laurels on thine head,
O my Beloved, will not shield thee so,
That none of all the fires shall scorch and shred
The hair beneath. Stand farther off then! go.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 05 - I lift my heavy heart up solemnly by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
As I stumbled upon Elizabeth Barrett Browning's sonnet 05, "I lift my heavy heart up solemnly," I was immediately captivated by the poet's powerful use of language and imagery. The poem seems to be a reflection on the speaker's emotional state, and the difficulties she faces in communicating her true feelings to the world. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore various aspects of the poem, including its structure, language, and themes, and offer my own interpretation of its meaning.
Structure
The sonnet is structured in the form of a Petrarchan sonnet, with an octave and a sestet. The octave comprises the first eight lines of the poem and sets up the problem that the speaker is facing. The sestet, on the other hand, offers a resolution or a conclusion to the problem. The poem follows the rhyme scheme ABBAABBA in the octave and CDCDCD in the sestet.
The poem's structure is significant because it helps to reinforce the theme of the poem, which is the speaker's struggle to communicate her emotions. By following a rigid form, the poem demonstrates the difficulty of expressing oneself within the confines of a predetermined structure.
Language
The language of the poem is simple and direct, but it is also deeply emotive. The first line, "I lift my heavy heart up solemnly," immediately sets the tone for the poem. The use of "solemnly" suggests a sense of seriousness and gravity, and the word "heavy" conveys the weight of the speaker's emotions.
Throughout the poem, the speaker uses images of nature to describe her emotions. For example, she compares her heart to a "cypress tree" in the second line and to a "hollow hill" in the third line. These comparisons create a sense of isolation and loneliness, suggesting that the speaker feels cut off from the rest of the world.
The poem also contains several metaphors that help to convey the speaker's emotions. In the fifth line, the speaker says that her heart is "straining round/ For something it has left behind." This metaphor suggests that the speaker is searching for something that she has lost, perhaps a sense of connection or a feeling of belonging.
Themes
The primary theme of the poem is the struggle to communicate one's emotions. The speaker is attempting to express the depth of her feelings, but she finds it difficult to do so. This theme is reinforced by the structure and language of the poem, which create a sense of confinement and isolation.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of loss. The speaker suggests that she is searching for something that she has lost, and this loss is the source of her emotional pain. This theme is echoed in the final line of the poem, where the speaker says that she is "a lost thing found."
Interpretation
To me, this poem is a poignant reflection on the human experience of emotional isolation. The speaker is struggling to express her emotions, but she finds herself trapped by the limitations of language and the structures of society. The use of natural imagery underscores the sense of isolation, as the speaker compares herself to a tree and a hill, both of which are solitary and removed from human society.
At the same time, the poem also offers a glimmer of hope. The final line, "I am a lost thing found," suggests that the speaker has found a way to connect with her emotions and express them to the world. The use of the word "found" suggests that the speaker has discovered something that was previously hidden or lost, and this discovery has brought her a sense of peace and resolution.
Overall, I find this poem to be a powerful exploration of the human experience of emotional isolation and the struggle to communicate one's innermost feelings. The use of natural imagery and metaphors creates a sense of universality, as the speaker's experience becomes something that we can all relate to. And yet, despite the weight of the emotions contained within the poem, the final line offers a sense of hope and resolution, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, there is always the possibility of finding a way forward.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 05 - I lift my heavy heart up solemnly is a classic poem written by the renowned poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. This poem is a part of her collection of sonnets called Sonnets from the Portuguese, which was published in 1850. The collection is a tribute to her husband, Robert Browning, and this particular sonnet is a reflection of her love for him.
The poem begins with the line, "I lift my heavy heart up solemnly," which sets the tone for the rest of the sonnet. The speaker is expressing her deep emotions and the weight of her heart. The use of the word "solemnly" adds a sense of seriousness and reverence to the poem, indicating that the speaker's emotions are not to be taken lightly.
The second line, "As once Electra her sepulchral urn," is a reference to Greek mythology. Electra was a daughter of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra, who was known for her devotion to her father. After his death, she carried his ashes in an urn, which is what the speaker is alluding to in this line. The comparison of the speaker's heavy heart to Electra's urn emphasizes the depth of her emotions and the weight of her love.
In the third line, the speaker says, "And, looking in thine eyes, I overturn / The ashes at thy feet." This line is a direct address to the speaker's beloved, Robert Browning. She is saying that when she looks into his eyes, she is able to release the weight of her emotions and pour them out at his feet. The use of the word "overturn" suggests a sense of release and catharsis, as if the speaker is finally able to let go of her heavy heart.
The fourth line, "Thou hast bewitched me with thine ecstasy," is a declaration of the speaker's love for Robert Browning. The word "bewitched" suggests a sense of enchantment and magic, indicating that the speaker's love for him is all-consuming and powerful. The use of the word "ecstasy" adds to this sense of intensity, suggesting that the speaker's love for Robert Browning is a source of great joy and pleasure.
The fifth line, "Thy voice, thy touch, thy face, thy limbs, and kiss," is a list of the things that the speaker loves about Robert Browning. The repetition of the word "thy" emphasizes the speaker's focus on her beloved and the things that she finds attractive about him. The use of the word "limbs" is particularly interesting, as it suggests a sense of physicality and sensuality in the speaker's love for Robert Browning.
The sixth line, "Thy love, thy words, the grace of thy fair fame," is another list of the things that the speaker loves about Robert Browning. This time, the focus is on his character and reputation, rather than his physical attributes. The use of the word "grace" suggests a sense of elegance and refinement, indicating that the speaker is attracted to Robert Browning's character as well as his physical appearance.
The seventh line, "Have put a spirit in my flesh," is a powerful statement about the transformative power of love. The speaker is saying that her love for Robert Browning has given her a sense of vitality and energy, as if it has breathed new life into her. The use of the word "spirit" suggests a sense of transcendence and spirituality, indicating that the speaker's love for Robert Browning is more than just physical attraction.
The eighth line, "Whereof I had not deemed in me a trace / Forthrightly issuing from its hidden place," is a reflection on the speaker's own surprise at the depth of her emotions. She is saying that she did not realize that she was capable of such intense love, and that it has come forth from a hidden place within her. The use of the word "trace" suggests a sense of something small and insignificant, indicating that the speaker did not expect her love for Robert Browning to be so powerful.
The ninth line, "Oh, there are spirits of the air," is a reference to the supernatural. The speaker is saying that there are forces beyond our understanding that can influence our emotions and actions. The use of the word "spirits" suggests a sense of otherworldliness and mystery, indicating that the speaker is acknowledging the power of love as something beyond human comprehension.
The tenth line, "And genii of the evening breeze, and fair," is another reference to the supernatural. The speaker is saying that there are beings that exist beyond our understanding, and that they can have an influence on our emotions and actions. The use of the word "genii" suggests a sense of magic and enchantment, indicating that the speaker is acknowledging the power of love as something beyond human understanding.
The eleventh line, "With wings, though whither none can tell,--to bear," is a continuation of the previous line. The speaker is saying that these supernatural beings have wings, indicating that they are able to fly and move freely. The use of the phrase "though whither none can tell" suggests a sense of mystery and uncertainty, indicating that the speaker is acknowledging the power of love as something beyond human understanding.
The twelfth line, "All that to mortal heart is mortal here," is a reflection on the transience of human life. The speaker is saying that everything that is mortal and temporary will eventually pass away, including human emotions and relationships. The use of the word "mortal" suggests a sense of impermanence and fragility, indicating that the speaker is acknowledging the fleeting nature of human life.
The thirteenth line, "Ah! Yet thy wingèd spirit hath not flown," is a direct address to Robert Browning. The speaker is saying that even though everything else in life is temporary, their love for each other is enduring. The use of the word "wingèd" suggests a sense of freedom and transcendence, indicating that the speaker's love for Robert Browning is something that exists beyond the limitations of mortal life.
The final line, "Wherefore, of thy wings to bind a stone / Upon thy heart, and know that thou art flown," is a reflection on the speaker's fear of losing Robert Browning. She is saying that she wants to bind a stone to his heart, so that he will always remember their love and never leave her. The use of the word "flown" suggests a sense of loss and separation, indicating that the speaker is acknowledging the possibility of losing Robert Browning.
In conclusion, Sonnet 05 - I lift my heavy heart up solemnly is a powerful reflection on the nature of love and the enduring power of human emotions. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's use of language and imagery creates a sense of intensity and passion, emphasizing the depth of the speaker's emotions and the weight of her love. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the face of mortality and uncertainty.
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