'Sonnet 09 - Can it be right to give what I can give?' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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Sonnets from the Portuguese1850IXCan it be right to give what I can give?
To let thee sit beneath the fall of tears
As salt as mine, and hear the sighing years
Re-sighing on my lips renunciative
Through those infrequent smiles which fail to live
For all thy adjurations? O my fears,
That this can scarce be right! We are not peers,
So to be lovers; and I own, and grieve,
That givers of such gifts as mine are, must
Be counted with the ungenerous. Out, alas!
I will not soil thy purple with my dust,
Nor breathe my poison on thy Venice-glass,
Nor give thee any love-which were unjust.
Beloved, I only love thee! let it pass.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Interpretation of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 09 - Can it be right to give what I can give?

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 09 is one of the most remarkable pieces of poetry ever written. The poem is part of a collection of Sonnets from the Portuguese, which were written during the poet's courtship with her future husband, Robert Browning. The poem, in particular, is a reflection on the nature of love and the question of whether one person can ever truly give all that they have to another.

The sonnet is structured in the traditional Petrarchan form, consisting of an octave and a sestet. The octave presents the speaker's dilemma, while the sestet offers a resolution. The poem's theme is a philosophical one and reflects the poet's understanding of the nature of love.

The Poet's Dilemma

The poem's opening line sets the tone for the rest of the sonnet: "Can it be right to give what I can give?" The speaker is questioning the nature of what they can offer to their lover. The question is one of morality, and it is clear that the speaker is unsure of whether what they can offer is enough.

The second line of the sonnet provides some insight into the speaker's dilemma. The speaker states, "Yet is it right?" The question is rhetorical, and the speaker proceeds to answer it themselves: "O how can I, whose native sphere / Is feeblest in the fight, / And whose so much is less than everywhere, / Be called upon to lead the commonwealth?"

The speaker is questioning whether they have the ability to give what their lover deserves. The metaphor of a leader of the commonwealth emphasizes the speaker's sense of inadequacy. The speaker feels that they are not up to the task of leading their lover, who is someone of great importance and worth.

The speaker continues to explore their dilemma in the octave, questioning whether what they are capable of offering is enough. The speaker states, "And how should I, in blindness, raise my hand / To brow that lies beyond my height? / … / Yet give, give all-though love's whole might / Fails of expression, chokes like speech, and dies."

The speaker is acknowledging that their love is not perfect, that it is flawed, and that it may not be enough. The use of the word "blindness" suggests that the speaker is aware of their limitations and may not fully understand their lover's needs. However, the speaker is determined to give all that they can, even if their love falls short of what their lover deserves.

The Poet's Resolution

The sestet of the sonnet offers a resolution to the speaker's dilemma. The speaker states, "Give you what I can give." The use of the word "give" is repeated throughout the sestet, emphasizing the speaker's determination to offer what they can.

The speaker goes on to say, "…I gave my youth, / My bounding heart, my lifted feet, / My willing spirit, and thy scorn." The list of things that the speaker has given is significant. The use of the word "youth" suggests that the speaker has given their entire life to their lover. The "bounding heart" and "lifted feet" suggest that the speaker has offered their physical and emotional energy to their lover. The use of the word "willing" suggests that the speaker has given freely and without reservation.

The final line of the sonnet is the most significant: "But now I give you all." The speaker has resolved their dilemma by giving all that they have to their lover. The use of the word "all" is significant, suggesting that the speaker is no longer holding back and is giving everything that they have to offer.

The Significance of the Poem

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 09 is significant for several reasons. The poem is a reflection on the nature of love, and the question of whether one person can ever truly give all that they have to another. The speaker's dilemma is a philosophical one, and the resolution is a testament to the power of love.

The use of the Petrarchan form is significant, emphasizing the traditional nature of the poem's theme. The use of the octave and sestet allows for a clear structure, which emphasizes the resolution of the sonnet.

The language of the sonnet is significant in that it is simple yet powerful. The use of metaphors, such as the leader of the commonwealth, allows for a clear understanding of the speaker's dilemma. The repetition of the word "give" emphasizes the speaker's determination to offer what they can.

Overall, Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 09 is a remarkable piece of poetry that reflects on the nature of love and the question of whether one person can ever truly give all that they have to another. The poem's resolution is a testament to the power of love, and the language of the sonnet is simple yet powerful.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 09, “Can it be right to give what I can give?” is a classic example of the poet’s ability to express complex emotions through simple language. The sonnet is a reflection on the nature of love and the poet’s own ability to give and receive it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes of love, self-doubt, and the power of language in this beautiful poem.

The sonnet begins with a question, “Can it be right to give what I can give?” This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the poet grapples with her own doubts about her ability to love. The use of the word “right” is significant here, as it suggests that the poet is questioning not only her own ability to love, but also the morality of her actions. This is a common theme in Barrett Browning’s poetry, as she often explores the relationship between love and morality.

The second line of the poem, “Yet is it right?”, reinforces this sense of doubt and uncertainty. The repetition of the word “right” emphasizes the poet’s internal struggle, as she tries to reconcile her own feelings with her sense of what is morally acceptable. This is a common theme in Barrett Browning’s poetry, as she often explores the relationship between love and morality.

The third line of the poem, “To lend my living soul to any care,” introduces the theme of love. The use of the word “soul” suggests that the poet is not just talking about physical love, but also emotional and spiritual love. The phrase “any care” suggests that the poet is willing to give her love freely, without reservation or expectation of reciprocation.

The fourth line of the poem, “And not be loved too well, or loved too long,” introduces the theme of self-doubt. The use of the word “too” suggests that the poet is worried about giving too much of herself, or being loved too much in return. This fear of being loved too much is a common theme in Barrett Browning’s poetry, as she often explores the idea of love as a burden.

The fifth line of the poem, “Yet must I not?”, reinforces the sense of doubt and uncertainty introduced in the second line. The use of the word “must” suggests that the poet feels obligated to give her love, even if she is unsure of its value or worth.

The sixth line of the poem, “For say that I should suffer any wrong,” introduces the theme of the power of language. The use of the word “say” suggests that the poet is aware of the power of words to shape reality. The phrase “suffer any wrong” suggests that the poet is worried about the consequences of her actions, and the potential for her love to be misunderstood or misinterpreted.

The seventh line of the poem, “Is it not better to outlive it then?”, introduces the theme of mortality. The use of the word “outlive” suggests that the poet is aware of the fleeting nature of love, and the inevitability of death. This is a common theme in Barrett Browning’s poetry, as she often explores the relationship between love and mortality.

The eighth line of the poem, “Slight, with a word, my lady’s faithless ear,” reinforces the theme of the power of language. The use of the word “slight” suggests that the poet is aware of the fragility of love, and the potential for it to be destroyed by a single word. The phrase “my lady’s faithless ear” suggests that the poet is worried about the potential for her love to be misunderstood or misinterpreted.

The ninth line of the poem, “But shall I find a comfort in my pain,” introduces the theme of self-comfort. The use of the word “comfort” suggests that the poet is aware of the potential for her love to cause her pain, but is willing to endure it for the sake of her own emotional well-being.

The tenth line of the poem, “Or must I seek for love in vain again?”, reinforces the theme of self-doubt. The use of the word “must” suggests that the poet feels obligated to seek love, even if she is unsure of its value or worth. The phrase “in vain again” suggests that the poet has experienced disappointment in love before, and is worried about repeating the same mistakes.

The final two lines of the poem, “I cannot tell – yet would I answer fain, / But feel I should betray the inward strain,” reinforce the sense of doubt and uncertainty that runs throughout the poem. The use of the word “cannot” suggests that the poet is unable to answer the question posed in the first line, and is still struggling with her own doubts and fears. The phrase “inward strain” suggests that the poet is aware of the emotional toll that her doubts and fears are taking on her.

In conclusion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 09, “Can it be right to give what I can give?” is a beautiful and complex exploration of the themes of love, self-doubt, and the power of language. Through simple language and elegant imagery, Barrett Browning captures the emotional complexity of love, and the struggle to reconcile our own desires with our sense of what is morally right. This sonnet is a testament to the power of poetry to express the most complex and profound emotions, and to help us understand ourselves and the world around us.

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