'Sonnet 20 - Beloved, my Beloved, when I think' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning


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Sonnets from the Portuguese1850XXBeloved, 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

Sonnet 20 - Beloved, my Beloved, when I think

Beloved, my Beloved, when I think That thou wast in the world a year ago, What time I sate 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.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 20 is a masterpiece in the world of poetry, and a true testament to her undeniable talent. With the use of sublime imagery and a masterful command of language, Browning takes the reader on a journey through the innermost depths of her soul, expressing her love for her beloved in a way that is both profound and poignant.

From the very first line of the poem, the reader is drawn in by the intensity of Browning's emotions. "Beloved, my Beloved, when I think," she writes, and immediately we can sense the depth of her love and devotion. As she continues, we learn that her beloved has been absent for a year, and that she has spent that time alone, counting the chains that keep her bound to her life of solitude.

As we continue to read, we are struck by the vividness of Browning's imagery. She describes the snow that surrounded her as she sat alone, and we can almost feel the coldness of it on our own skin. She speaks of the silence that surrounded her, and we can almost hear the absence of her beloved's voice. And when she speaks of her chains, we can almost feel the weight of them on our own bodies.

But perhaps the most striking aspect of this poem is the way in which Browning expresses her love for her beloved. She speaks of the "life's great cup of wonder," and we can sense the awe and reverence she feels for the man she loves. She marvels at the fact that she has never felt his personal touch, nor heard his voice, yet she still feels a deep connection to him.

And in the final lines of the poem, Browning makes a powerful statement about the nature of faith. She compares those who cannot sense God's presence to "Atheists," and suggests that they are "dull" for not being able to sense the divine. This is a bold statement, and one that is sure to provoke thought and discussion among readers.

In conclusion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 20 is a work of art that stands the test of time. With its powerful imagery and profound statements about love and faith, it is a poem that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come. If you have not yet had the pleasure of reading this masterpiece, I urge you to do so – you will not be disappointed.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Beloved, my Beloved, when I think is a classic sonnet written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. This poem is a beautiful expression of love and admiration for the poet's beloved. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this sonnet.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing their beloved, using the repetition of "Beloved, my Beloved" to emphasize the depth of their love. The speaker then goes on to describe the thoughts that come to their mind when they think of their beloved. The first quatrain describes the physical beauty of the beloved, with the speaker comparing their beloved's beauty to that of a summer's day. However, the speaker quickly dismisses this comparison, stating that their beloved's beauty is far superior to that of any summer's day.

In the second quatrain, the speaker describes their beloved's inner beauty, stating that their beloved's mind is more beautiful than any physical beauty. The speaker uses the metaphor of a "mind at peace" to describe their beloved's inner beauty, emphasizing the importance of inner peace and tranquility.

The third quatrain is where the poem takes a turn, as the speaker reveals that their beloved is actually a man. This revelation was quite scandalous at the time the poem was written, as it was not socially acceptable for women to express romantic love for other women. However, the speaker's love for their beloved transcends societal norms and expectations.

The final couplet of the poem is a powerful declaration of the speaker's love for their beloved. The speaker states that they love their beloved with a love that is "pure and whole," and that their love will continue to grow and flourish even after death.

The themes of this sonnet are love, beauty, and the power of the mind. The speaker's love for their beloved is all-encompassing, and they see beauty in both the physical and inner qualities of their beloved. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of inner peace and tranquility, suggesting that true beauty comes from within. Finally, the poem explores the power of love to transcend societal norms and expectations.

The structure of this sonnet is a traditional Shakespearean sonnet, with three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, with each quatrain exploring a different aspect of the speaker's love for their beloved.

The literary devices used in this sonnet are numerous and effective. The repetition of "Beloved, my Beloved" emphasizes the depth of the speaker's love, while the metaphor of a "mind at peace" emphasizes the importance of inner beauty. The comparison of the beloved's beauty to that of a summer's day is a classic literary device, but the speaker quickly dismisses this comparison, emphasizing the superiority of their beloved's beauty. Finally, the revelation that the beloved is a man is a powerful use of irony, as it challenges societal norms and expectations.

In conclusion, Beloved, my Beloved, when I think is a beautiful and powerful sonnet that explores the themes of love, beauty, and the power of the mind. The structure and literary devices used in this sonnet are effective in conveying the depth of the speaker's love for their beloved. This poem is a testament to the power of love to transcend societal norms and expectations, and it continues to be a beloved classic in the world of poetry.

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