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'Sonnet XX' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning


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Beloved, my Beloved, when I think
That thou wast in the world a year ago,
What time I sat alone here in the snow
And saw no footprint, heard the silence sink
No moment at thy voice, but, link by link,
Went counting all my chains as if that so
They never could fall off at any blow
Struck by thy possible hand,--why, thus I drink
Of life's great cup of wonder ! Wonderful,
Never to feel thee thrill the day or night
With personal act or speech,--nor ever cull
Some prescience of thee with the blossoms white
Thou sawest growing ! Atheists are as dull,
Who cannot guess God's presence out of sight.


Editor 1 Interpretation

A Deep Dive into Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet XX

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet XX is an exquisite piece of poetry. Written in the form of a sonnet, this poem is a beautiful expression of love and admiration. It is clear from the very beginning that the poet is deeply in love with her subject, and she takes us on a journey of emotions and sensations that are as evocative as they are powerful.

The Structure of the Poem

As mentioned before, Sonnet XX is structured in the form of a sonnet. This means that it is composed of 14 lines, with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. The rhyme scheme of this particular sonnet is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which means that the first and second lines rhyme with each other, as do the third and fourth, and so on. The meter of the poem is iambic pentameter, which means that each line is composed of ten syllables, with the stress falling on every second syllable. This creates a very rhythmic and musical quality to the poem, which is further enhanced by the use of alliteration and repetition.

The Language of Love

One of the most striking features of Sonnet XX is the language that Elizabeth Barrett Browning uses to describe her subject. She uses a range of metaphors and similes that are both beautiful and imaginative. For example, in the first two lines of the poem, she compares her subject to a tree:

A woman's face with Nature's own hand painted
Hast thou, the master-mistress of my passion;

This metaphor is particularly powerful because it suggests that her subject is both natural and artistic. The face is painted by Nature's own hand, which suggests a kind of divine beauty. At the same time, the subject is also the master-mistress of the poet's passion, which suggests a kind of creative power. This combination of natural beauty and artistic mastery is a recurring theme throughout the poem.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning also uses a range of other metaphors and similes to describe her subject. For example, she compares her subject's eyes to stars:

With stars of heaven, and with sweet flowers of May,

This metaphor is particularly effective because it suggests that her subject's eyes are both beautiful and otherworldly. By comparing them to stars, the poet is suggesting that they are bright and shining, but also mysterious and distant. At the same time, the comparison to flowers suggests that they are delicate and fragrant, which adds a layer of sensuality to the poem.

The Theme of Love

Of course, the main theme of Sonnet XX is love. This is evident from the very beginning of the poem, when the poet declares her love for her subject:

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

This is a powerful declaration of love, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Throughout the sonnet, the poet expresses her love in a range of different ways, using a variety of metaphors and similes. At times, her love is portrayed as sensual and physical, as in the following lines:

I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! - and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

At other times, her love is portrayed as spiritual and transcendental, as in the following lines:

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints - I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! - and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

This combination of physical and spiritual love is a recurring theme throughout the poem, and it is one of the reasons why Sonnet XX is such a powerful and moving work of poetry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet XX is a masterpiece of poetry. It is a beautiful expression of love and admiration, and it is composed with a skill and sensitivity that is truly remarkable. The language that she uses to describe her subject is evocative and powerful, and the theme of love is explored in a range of different ways. If you are a fan of poetry, or if you simply appreciate beautiful writing, then Sonnet XX is definitely worth reading.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet XX by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a beautiful expression of love and devotion, and it is a perfect example of the power of words to convey deep emotions. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of Sonnet XX, and we will examine how these elements work together to create a powerful and moving piece of poetry.

The first thing that strikes the reader about Sonnet XX is its structure. Like many sonnets, it is composed of fourteen lines, and it follows a strict rhyme scheme. The first eight lines, or octave, follow the rhyme scheme ABBAABBA, while the final six lines, or sestet, follow the rhyme scheme CDCDCD. This strict structure gives the sonnet a sense of order and control, which is fitting for a poem about love and devotion.

The theme of love is central to Sonnet XX, and it is expressed in a number of ways throughout the poem. The speaker begins by addressing her lover directly, saying "Beloved, my Beloved, when I think / That thou wast in the world a year ago." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with expressions of love and longing. The speaker goes on to describe the many ways in which she loves her beloved, saying that she loves him "to the depth and breadth and height / My soul can reach."

One of the most striking things about Sonnet XX is the way in which the speaker uses language to convey her emotions. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, which help to bring the speaker's feelings to life. For example, she compares her love to the "sun and candle-light," suggesting that it is both bright and warm. She also uses the metaphor of a "breath, / A smile, a tear, a touch of hand," to describe the many ways in which she expresses her love.

Another important theme in Sonnet XX is the idea of time. The speaker is acutely aware of the fleeting nature of time, and she expresses her fear that her love will not last forever. She says, "I love thee with the breath, / Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose, / I shall but love thee better after death." This line suggests that the speaker's love is eternal, and that it will continue even after death.

Overall, Sonnet XX is a beautiful and moving expression of love and devotion. Its strict structure, vivid imagery, and powerful metaphors all work together to create a poem that is both controlled and emotional. The theme of love is central to the poem, and it is expressed in a number of ways throughout. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates beautiful language, Sonnet XX is a must-read.

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