'Sonnet 42 - 'My future will not copy fair my past'' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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Sonnets from the Portuguese1850XLII'My future will not copy fair my past'-
I wrote that once; and thinking at my side
My ministering life-angel justified
The word by his appealing look upcast
To the white throne of God, I turned at last,
And there, instead, saw thee, not unallied
To angels in thy soul! Then I, long tried
By natural ills, received the comfort fast,
While budding, at thy sight, my pilgrim's staff
Gave out green leaves with morning dews impearled.
I seek no copy now of life's first half:
Leave here the pages with long musing curled,
And write me new my future's epigraph,
New angel mine, unhoped for in the world!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 42: My Future Will Not Copy Fair My Past
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnet 42: My Future Will Not Copy Fair My Past" is a poignant and introspective work that explores themes of time, memory, and the inevitability of change. Browning was an influential and prolific poet of the Victorian era, known for her passionate and lyrical verse, and this sonnet is no exception. In this essay, I will offer a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of Sonnet 42, examining its structure, language, imagery, and themes.
Structure
Sonnet 42 follows the traditional structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. It is written in iambic pentameter, with each line containing ten syllables and a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. The first two quatrains establish the speaker's concern with the passage of time and the loss of youth, while the third quatrain and final couplet offer a resolution or conclusion to the poem's themes.
Language
Browning's language in Sonnet 42 is characteristically rich and musical, with a particular emphasis on sound and rhythm. The repetition of the "f" and "s" sounds in lines 1-2 ("fair," "future," "score") create a sense of softness and fluidity, in contrast to the harder consonant sounds in lines 5-6 ("sharp," "saw"). The use of alliteration and internal rhyme in lines 9-10 ("grief," "brief," "relief") adds to the poem's musicality and reinforces its themes of transience and impermanence.
The language of Sonnet 42 is also highly symbolic, with images of time and nature evoking the fleeting nature of life. The image of the "score" in line 2 is a metaphor for the speaker's life, which will not be repeated or copied in the future. The "swift seasons" in line 5 and "sharp saws" in line 6 suggest the relentless passage of time and its destructive power. The image of the "golden wings" in line 8, however, offers a glimmer of hope and transcendence, suggesting that the speaker's soul may rise above the limitations of time and mortality.
Imagery
Browning's use of imagery in Sonnet 42 is both vivid and evocative, drawing on natural and mythological motifs to convey the poem's themes. The image of the "score" in line 2 is a powerful symbol of the speaker's life, which is singular and unique. The image of the "swift seasons" and "sharp saws" in lines 5-6 suggests the inevitability of change and the destruction of youth and beauty. The image of the "golden wings" in line 8, by contrast, evokes the idea of transcendence and spiritual elevation.
The final couplet of Sonnet 42 is particularly rich in imagery, drawing on both classical mythology and Christian iconography. The image of the "eternal Lovers" in line 13 refers to the myth of Eros and Psyche, who overcame the obstacles of time and mortality to achieve eternal love. The image of the "crimson petals" in line 14, by contrast, suggests the Christian symbol of the blood of Christ, which is seen as a source of redemption and salvation.
Themes
The themes of Sonnet 42 are complex and multifaceted, touching on issues of time, memory, mortality, and transcendence. The poem begins with the speaker's acknowledgement that her "future will not copy fair [her] past" (line 2), suggesting a sense of loss or regret for the passing of time. The image of the "score" underscores this sense of uniqueness and irreplaceability, suggesting that each individual life is a singular and precious thing.
As the poem progresses, however, the speaker seems to move beyond mere regret and towards a more transcendent understanding of time and mortality. The image of the "golden wings" in line 8 suggests a spiritual elevation, as the speaker's soul rises above the temporal limitations of the physical body. The final couplet, with its reference to eternal love and the redemptive power of Christ's blood, suggests a more hopeful and optimistic view of mortality, as the speaker recognizes the possibility of transcendence and redemption.
Interpretation
Sonnet 42 is a deeply introspective and personal work, reflecting Browning's own struggles with illness, mortality, and the passage of time. The poem is characterized by a sense of melancholy and loss, as the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of change and the passing of youth and beauty. At the same time, however, the poem is suffused with a sense of hope and transcendence, as the speaker recognizes the possibility of spiritual elevation and the eternal nature of love.
In this sense, Sonnet 42 can be seen as a meditation on the human condition, and the ways in which we grapple with mortality and the transience of life. At the same time, however, the poem is also a celebration of the unique and singular nature of individual experience, and the ways in which we can find meaning and beauty in the fleeting moments of our lives. Ultimately, Sonnet 42 is a testament to the power of language and art to capture the complexities and contradictions of the human experience, and to offer solace and insight in the face of mortality and change.
Conclusion
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 42 is a powerful and evocative work that explores themes of time, memory, mortality, and transcendence. Through its rich language, vivid imagery, and complex symbolism, the poem offers a deeply personal and introspective reflection on the human condition, and the ways in which we grapple with the passage of time and the inevitability of change. At the same time, however, the poem is suffused with a sense of hope and optimism, as the speaker recognizes the possibility of spiritual elevation and the eternal nature of love. As such, Sonnet 42 stands as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the complexities and contradictions of the human experience, and to offer solace and insight in the face of mortality and change.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
My Future Will Not Copy Fair My Past: A Deep Dive into Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 42
Elizabeth Barrett Browning is one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, and her sonnet 42, "My future will not copy fair my past," is a testament to her poetic genius. This sonnet is a reflection on the nature of time and the inevitability of change. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the poem, exploring its themes, structure, and language.
The Theme of Time
The theme of time is central to this sonnet. Browning reflects on the past, present, and future, and the ways in which they are interconnected. She acknowledges that her past has shaped her present, but she also recognizes that her future will not be a mere copy of her past. This theme of time is captured in the opening lines of the sonnet:
My future will not copy fair my past, I wrote that once; and thinking at my side My ministering life-angel justified The word by his appealing look upcast
Here, Browning sets the tone for the rest of the poem. She acknowledges that she has written these words before, but she also suggests that they have taken on a new meaning in the present moment. The "ministering life-angel" represents the passage of time, and the way in which it shapes our lives.
The Structure of the Sonnet
Sonnet 42 is a traditional English sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines in iambic pentameter. The rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which is typical of the Petrarchan sonnet form. However, Browning deviates from this structure slightly, using a volta, or turn, in the ninth line. This turn marks a shift in the poem, as Browning moves from reflecting on the past to contemplating the future.
The Language of the Sonnet
Browning's use of language in this sonnet is both beautiful and complex. She employs a range of poetic devices, including metaphor, alliteration, and personification. For example, in the second line, she uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality:
I wrote that once; and thinking at my side
Here, the repetition of the "t" sound creates a sense of movement and momentum, as if the words are propelling the poem forward.
Browning also uses metaphor to explore the theme of time. In the third line, she describes the "ministering life-angel" as "appealing." This personification suggests that time has agency, and that it can influence our lives in profound ways. Similarly, in the sixth line, Browning uses the metaphor of a "veil" to describe the way in which the past can obscure our vision of the future:
And that I walked, bald in that morning sun Sightless, except for tears, which should avail Nothing to Love's pure glory
Here, the "veil" represents the emotional baggage of the past, which can prevent us from seeing clearly in the present.
The Poet's Voice
One of the most striking aspects of this sonnet is the poet's voice. Browning writes in the first person, using the pronoun "I" throughout the poem. This creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, as if the poet is speaking directly to the reader. Moreover, Browning's use of the first person allows her to explore her own experiences and emotions in a deeply personal way. This is evident in the final lines of the sonnet, where Browning reflects on her own mortality:
And yet, love knows it is a greater grief To bear love's wrong than hate's known injury. Lapse softly, time! As they are gone, behold, Oblivion's full "recompense of love," Action, in action's self, if I can mold A thought so passionate and complete, it shall So pierce through sorrow to the height of bliss, That, fathering all the future, it shall see The present in its chalice.
Here, Browning suggests that love is a powerful force that can transcend time and space. She also suggests that the act of writing poetry can be a way of transcending mortality, as the poet's words can live on long after they are gone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning's sonnet 42, "My future will not copy fair my past," is a beautiful and complex exploration of the theme of time. Through her use of language, structure, and voice, Browning creates a deeply personal and intimate portrait of the human experience. This sonnet is a testament to her poetic genius, and a reminder of the enduring power of poetry to capture the essence of our lives.
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