Author
Barret Browning
whys
- Through her re-negotiation of the Petrarchan sonnet form, Barret Browning challenges the denigration of the female voice in the nineteenth century, confidently asserting her right to declare her love through poetry as a female writer.
- Barret Browning elevates love to a transcendental level, implying that the love God has for humanity is mirrored in the love she feels for her husband.
- Barrett Browning celebrates love as a transformative force which enables her to overcome past traumas and afflictions.
context
- Their marriage was carried out in secret for fear of her father’s dissaproval. Following the wedding, she was disinherited by her father.
- Sonnet 43 is a Petrarchan sonnet, these usually focussed on male desire, where the male usually laments over unrequited love. Browning wanted to subvert tradition and reclaim the sonnet form with an emphatically female voice expressing female desire.
- sonnets from the portuguese- She didn’t need to face social scrutiny and could protect her status and reputation if it was translated into Portuguese.
- she was a Christian- the love god has for humanity is mirrored by the love she has for her husband.
Sonnet 43
A sonnet is a love poem.
43rd sonnet out of 44 that she wrote for Robert Browning, emphasising the love she had for Robert.
“how do I love thee?”
First person pronouns make the poem more intimate.
Second person pronoun “thee’ make it clear there’s an intended audience.
The use of the question establishes the poems topic
“depth, breadth and height”
Emphatic list. Browning loves Robert in a complete and total way.
Enjambment
creates a sense of breathlessness, symbolising her passion for Robert.
Furthermore, it suggests her love transcends the limitations of poetic form.
“I love thee”
Repetition of “I love thee”- shows she is immensely devoted to Robert. She might have felt insecure and she was desparate to keep hold of it.
“Sun and candlelight”
Juxtaposition between images show her love for Robert is all encompassing with unwavering intensity.
“smile, tears”
Juxtaposition- suggests her love will last forever, throughout the good and the bad.
”-‘
Caesura- break up the rhythm of the poem, symbolises brownings excitement and passion.
“I shall but love thee better after death”
Subversion of traditional wedding vows, brownings love for Robert will last even after she died. She believes her love for Robert Is pure.
Semantic field
Semantic field of religion used throughout this poem- used to elevate Robert to a god-lie status, which is blasphemous, showing the intensity of her feelings for him.
Suggests her love is our and right, almost as if she is defending it.
Semantic field examples
"soul" "being and ideal Grace" "Praise" "childhood's faith" "lost saints"
Structure
A almost perfect sonnet- could symbolise the perfection of her love for Robert, reflects her dedication for him.
It’s not 100% perfect- the imperfection represents- her inability to fully comprehend and express the love she is feeling.
