'Sonnet 43 - How do I love thee? Let me count the ways' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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Sonnets from the Portuguese1850XLIIIHow do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
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.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways" - A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

As one of the most famous love poems in English literature, Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnet 43" has captivated readers for over a century. With its passionate language and heartfelt sentiment, this sonnet is a timeless tribute to the enduring power of love. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the poem's structure, language, and themes to uncover the deeper meaning behind these beloved words.

Structure

Sonnet 43 follows the traditional format of 14 lines with a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDCD CD. However, Browning's use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence across multiple lines, gives the poem a more natural and flowing rhythm. The lines are written in iambic pentameter, where each line contains 10 syllables with alternating stressed and unstressed syllables. This gives the poem a sense of balance and order, which contrasts with the intense emotions expressed within.

Language

The language of Sonnet 43 is full of vivid imagery and metaphors that convey the depth of the speaker's love. Each line begins with the phrase "How do I love thee?" which is repeated throughout the poem. This repetition creates a sense of emphasis and urgency, as if the speaker is trying to convince the reader of the magnitude of their love.

The first quatrain describes the ways in which the speaker loves their beloved. They love them "to the depth and breadth and height / My soul can reach" which suggests that this love is limitless and all-encompassing. The metaphor of the soul reaching out to encompass their love adds a spiritual dimension to the poem. The second quatrain compares the speaker's love to earthly needs such as the need for light and breath. These lines suggest that the speaker's love is as fundamental and essential as these basic necessities.

The third quatrain shifts the focus to the eternity of the speaker's love. They love their beloved with "the passion put to use / In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith." This line suggests that the speaker's love has been with them throughout their life and has been a source of comfort and stability. The final couplet concludes the poem with the statement that the speaker loves their beloved "with the breath, / Smiles, tears, of all my life!" This line expands on the metaphor of love as an all-encompassing force that is present in every moment of the speaker's life.

Themes

The central theme of Sonnet 43 is the power of love to transcend time and space. The speaker's love is described as limitless and all-encompassing, suggesting that it is not limited by physical or temporal boundaries. This theme is reinforced by the repeated phrase "How do I love thee?" which suggests that the speaker is attempting to measure the unmeasurable, to quantify the unquantifiable.

Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of love as a spiritual force. The metaphor of the soul reaching out to encompass the speaker's love suggests that love is not just an emotion, but a transcendent force that connects us to something greater than ourselves. This theme is also reflected in the metaphor of the speaker's love as a source of light and breath, which suggests that love is necessary for our spiritual and emotional sustenance.

Finally, Sonnet 43 can be read as a celebration of the power of language to convey the depth of human emotion. The repetition of the phrase "How do I love thee?" emphasizes the inadequacy of language to fully express the complex emotions of love. However, Browning's skillful use of metaphor and imagery creates a vivid and evocative portrait of love that resonates with readers to this day.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sonnet 43 is a masterpiece of English literature that explores the timeless themes of love, spirituality, and the power of language. Through its skillful use of metaphor and imagery, this poem has captured the hearts of readers for over a century and continues to be a source of inspiration and comfort to those who read it. As Browning herself wrote, "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!"

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “Sonnet 43” is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. This sonnet is a declaration of love, and it is one of the most famous love poems ever written. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem to understand why it has become such a beloved piece of literature.

The poem begins with the famous line, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker attempts to quantify her love for her beloved. The poem is structured as a sonnet, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. This traditional structure gives the poem a sense of formality and elegance, which is fitting for a poem about love.

The first quatrain of the poem establishes the speaker’s desire to count the ways in which she loves her beloved. She says, “I love thee to the depth and breadth and height / My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight / For the ends of being and ideal grace.” This line suggests that the speaker’s love is all-encompassing and reaches beyond the physical realm. She loves her beloved not only for who they are, but for what they represent and the ideals they embody.

The second quatrain continues the speaker’s enumeration of her love. She says, “I love thee to the level of every day’s / Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.” This line suggests that the speaker’s love is not just grand and sweeping, but also practical and everyday. She loves her beloved in the quiet moments of their life together, in the mundane routines that make up their days.

The third quatrain takes a more spiritual turn, as the speaker says, “I love thee freely, as men strive for right; / I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.” This line suggests that the speaker’s love is not motivated by personal gain or recognition, but is instead a selfless and pure love. She loves her beloved for who they are, not for what they can do for her or how they make her look to others.

The final couplet of the poem brings the speaker’s enumeration of her love to a close. She says, “I love thee with the passion put to use / In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.” This line suggests that the speaker’s love is not just a new or fleeting emotion, but is instead rooted in her past experiences and beliefs. She loves her beloved with the same intensity that she has loved before, and with the same faith that she had as a child.

The language of the poem is simple and direct, which adds to its emotional impact. The repetition of the phrase “I love thee” throughout the poem reinforces the speaker’s devotion to her beloved. The use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase across multiple lines, gives the poem a sense of momentum and urgency. The use of metaphors, such as “depth and breadth and height” and “passion put to use,” adds depth and complexity to the speaker’s description of her love.

The themes of the poem are universal and timeless. The poem explores the nature of love and the ways in which it can be expressed. It suggests that love is not just a feeling, but a choice and a commitment. The poem also explores the idea of selflessness in love, suggesting that true love is not motivated by personal gain or recognition.

In conclusion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “Sonnet 43” is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. Its simple language, elegant structure, and universal themes make it a timeless piece of literature. The poem’s exploration of the nature of love and the ways in which it can be expressed continue to resonate with readers today.

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