'Sonnet XXXVIII' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning


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First time he kissed me, he but only kissed
The fingers of this hand wherewith I write;
And ever since, it grew more clean and white,
Slow to world-greetings, quick with its ' Oh, list,'
When the angels speak. A ring of amethyst
I could not wear here, plainer to my sight,
Than that first kiss. The second passed in height
The first, and sought the forehead, and half missed,
Half falling on the hair. O beyond meed !
That was the chrism of love, which love's own crown,
With sanctifying sweetness, did precede.
The third upon my lips was folded down
In perfect, purple state; since when, indeed,
I have been proud and said, ' My love, my own.'


Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet XXXVIII by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Oh, the beauty that lies in the words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet XXXVIII! This classic piece of poetry is a marvel that has stood the test of time and continues to fascinate readers with its depth of emotion and profound insights into the nature of love and life.

Literary Analysis

At its core, Sonnet XXXVIII is a reflection on the nature of love and its transformative power. The speaker, presumably Browning herself, muses on the transformative power of love, which can turn even the weakest of hearts into a source of strength and courage.

The opening lines of the sonnet set the stage for this theme, as the speaker notes that "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." This line is a classic example of Browning's poetic style, which is characterized by its use of repetition and parallelism. The speaker goes on to enumerate the many ways in which she loves her beloved, describing her love as "deep" and "pure," and expressing her desire to continue loving him throughout all eternity.

As the sonnet progresses, the speaker expresses her faith in the power of love to transform even the most difficult of circumstances. She notes that love can sustain us through the darkest of times and inspire us to acts of great courage and selflessness. The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful, as the speaker declares her willingness to endure any hardship or suffering for the sake of her beloved.

Interpretation

Interpreting Sonnet XXXVIII requires a careful consideration of the historical and cultural context in which it was written. At the time that Browning wrote this sonnet, women had limited rights and opportunities. They were expected to be submissive to men and to devote themselves entirely to domestic duties. In this context, Browning's poem can be seen as a subversive statement of independence and self-determination.

By declaring her love for her beloved in such passionate and unapologetic terms, the speaker defies the conventional wisdom of her time and asserts her right to love and be loved on her own terms. Moreover, by expressing her faith in the transformative power of love, she suggests that women are not passive victims of circumstance, but active agents in their own lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sonnet XXXVIII is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to inspire readers with its profound insights into the nature of love and life. Through its use of repetition, parallelism, and powerful imagery, this sonnet captures the transformative power of love and the resilience of the human spirit. More than that, however, it is a statement of self-determination and independence that challenges conventional assumptions about gender roles and expectations. As such, it is a testament to Browning's enduring legacy as one of the most important poets of her time.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet XXXVIII is a classic piece of poetry that has been celebrated for its beauty and depth of meaning. This sonnet is a part of her collection of sonnets, Sonnets from the Portuguese, which was published in 1850. The collection is a tribute to her husband, Robert Browning, and Sonnet XXXVIII is no exception. In this sonnet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning expresses her love for her husband and the depth of her emotions.

The sonnet is written in the traditional form of a sonnet, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. The sonnet is divided into two parts, the octave and the sestet. The octave consists of the first eight lines, and the sestet consists of the last six lines. The octave sets up the theme of the sonnet, and the sestet provides the resolution.

The sonnet begins with the speaker expressing her love for her husband. She says, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” This line is one of the most famous lines in all of poetry, and it sets the tone for the rest of the sonnet. The speaker then goes on to list the ways in which she loves her husband. She says that she loves him “to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.” This line is significant because it shows the depth of the speaker’s love. She loves her husband with all of her being, and there are no limits to her love.

The speaker then goes on to say that she loves her husband “with a love I seemed to lose with my lost saints.” This line is significant because it shows that the speaker’s love for her husband is greater than her love for God. This is a bold statement, and it shows the depth of the speaker’s love for her husband. She then says that she loves her husband “with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life.” This line is significant because it shows that the speaker’s love for her husband is all-encompassing. Her love for him is not just a feeling; it is a part of her life.

The octave ends with the speaker saying that she loves her husband “with the passion put to use in my old griefs.” This line is significant because it shows that the speaker’s love for her husband has helped her to heal from her past. Her love for him has given her a new purpose in life, and it has helped her to move on from her past.

The sestet begins with the speaker saying that she loves her husband “with my childhood’s faith.” This line is significant because it shows that the speaker’s love for her husband is pure and innocent. Her love for him is not tainted by the world, and it is not based on anything other than her faith in him.

The speaker then goes on to say that she loves her husband “with a love I seemed to lose with my lost saints.” This line is significant because it shows that the speaker’s love for her husband is greater than her love for God. This is a bold statement, and it shows the depth of the speaker’s love for her husband. She then says that she loves her husband “with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life.” This line is significant because it shows that the speaker’s love for her husband is all-encompassing. Her love for him is not just a feeling; it is a part of her life.

The sestet ends with the speaker saying that she loves her husband “with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life.” This line is significant because it shows that the speaker’s love for her husband is eternal. Her love for him will never die, and it will always be a part of her life.

In conclusion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet XXXVIII is a beautiful and powerful expression of love. The sonnet is a tribute to her husband, and it shows the depth of her emotions. The sonnet is written in the traditional form of a sonnet, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. The sonnet is divided into two parts, the octave and the sestet. The octave sets up the theme of the sonnet, and the sestet provides the resolution. The sonnet is a timeless piece of poetry that will continue to be celebrated for its beauty and depth of meaning.

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