How Do I Love Thee by Elizabeth Barrett Browning | Sonnet 43 | Elizabeth Barrett Browning | How Do I Love Thee | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | Word Meaning | Critical Appreciation | Questions Answers | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
How Do I Love Thee?
(Sonnet 43)
How 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 every day’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.
line-by-line explanation of the poem
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
Explanation: The first line of the poem “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” is a rhetorical question where the speaker is addressing her beloved. This question sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which is essentially a list enumerating the various ways in which she loves him. The speaker is not asking for an answer, but rather setting up a context in which she can explore the depth and breadth of her love.
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question: The line begins with a rhetorical question, “How do I love thee?” This device draws the reader in, encouraging them to ponder the depth and nature of the speaker’s love.
Anaphora: While anaphora (repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses) is not fully established in this single line, it sets up the repetitive structure that follows with “I love thee” at the beginning of subsequent lines.
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.
Explanation: In these lines, the speaker is expressing the magnitude of her love using spatial dimensions. She loves her beloved to the “depth and breadth and height” that her soul can reach. This suggests that her love is not confined to the physical realm but extends into the spiritual or metaphysical realm. The phrase “when feeling out of sight / For the ends of being and ideal grace” implies that her love extends beyond the physical world and reaches into the spiritual or metaphysical realm. The “ends of being” could be interpreted as the purpose or ultimate state of existence, and “ideal grace” suggests a state of perfect virtue or righteousness.
Poetic Device
Imagery: The use of “depth and breadth and height” provides a spatial image that helps the reader visualize the vastness and multidimensional nature of her love.
Hyperbole: The line employs hyperbole by exaggerating the extent of her love to emphasize its immensity and boundless nature. It suggests that her love extends to the farthest reaches of her soul.
Consonance: The repetition of the ‘th’ sound in “depth” and “breadth” adds a rhythmic quality to the line, enhancing its musicality.
Enjambment: The continuation of the sentence from one line to the next without a pause creates a flowing and continuous expression of love, mirroring the unending nature of her feelings.
Personification: The line personifies the soul as having the ability to reach, suggesting an active and dynamic quality to her love.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
Explanation: In these lines, the speaker is expressing her love in terms of daily life and ordinary moments. The phrase “to the level of every day’s / Most quiet need” suggests a love that is steady and consistent, meeting the most basic and fundamental needs. The reference to “sun and candle-light” indicates that her love is constant throughout the day and night, in both light and darkness. This love, the speaker reveals, is not like the epic love stories of Antiquity but rather an extraordinarily ordinary love that is reassuringly there, night or day.
Poetic Device
Imagery: The line uses imagery to convey the consistency and omnipresence of her love. “Sun and candle-light” evoke the passage of time from day to night, suggesting her love is constant throughout.
Symbolism: The “sun and candle-light” are symbols representing day and night respectively. This indicates that her love is constant throughout the day and night, in both light and darkness.
Enjambment: The line “Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.” is enjambed, which means the sentence does not end at the line break and continues onto the next line. This gives the poem a more conversational tone and can also be used to create suspense.
Juxtaposition: The juxtaposition of “sun” (daytime) and “candle-light” (nighttime) emphasizes that her love endures through all times of the day, symbolizing both the bright and dark moments in life.
Metaphor: The comparison of love to fulfilling “most quiet need” acts as a metaphor, suggesting that her love is as essential and omnipresent as the needs one might not even consciously notice.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
Explanation: In this line, the speaker asserts that her love is given freely and unconditionally, without expectation of anything in return. The comparison to “men strive for right” suggests a sense of moral or ethical duty. This implies that her love is as natural and uncompromising as the pursuit of justice or righteousness. This line is a critical declaration in a Victorian culture that regarded socio-economic criteria as more important than the urgencies of the heart in establishing socially acceptable marriages.
Poetic Device
Simile: The line uses a simile to compare her love to the earnest and voluntary efforts of people striving for righteousness (“as men strive for right”). This highlights the sincerity and freedom in her expression of love.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
Explanation: In this line, the speaker claims that her love is pure and untainted by vanity or desire for recognition. The phrase “as they turn from praise” could be interpreted as a reference to humble or modest individuals who seek virtue for its own sake rather than for accolades or admiration. This line suggests that her love is not influenced by external validation or praise but is instead a sincere and genuine emotion.
Poetic Device
Simile: The line uses a simile to draw a comparison between the purity of her love and the actions of people who avoid seeking praise for their good deeds (“as they turn from praise”). This emphasizes the selflessness and genuineness of her love.
Alliteration: The repetition of the ‘p’ sound in “purely” and “praise” adds a rhythmic quality to the line and draws attention to the key concepts of purity and praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
Explanation: In these lines, the speaker expresses that her love is fueled by the passion that she has experienced in past sorrows, suggesting a love that is deepened by shared suffering or empathy. The reference to “my childhood’s faith” implies a love that is innocent and trusting, reminiscent of a child’s unshakeable faith. The speaker is of the view that she uses the passions that she used to employ during her sorrows. She has had full faith in that passion since her childhood.
Poetic Device
Juxtaposition: The line juxtaposes “old griefs” with “childhood’s faith,” highlighting the complex nature of her love. It combines intense, perhaps painful experiences with the purity and simplicity of a child’s faith.
Alliteration: The repetition of the ‘p’ sound in “passion put” creates a rhythmic quality, emphasizing the intensity of her emotions.
Enjambment: The continuation of the sentence across two lines creates a seamless flow, reflecting the continuity and integration of different emotional experiences in her expression of love.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints.
Explanation: In these lines, the speaker is expressing a sense of loss and longing. The phrase “a love I seemed to lose” could refer to a previous love or a sense of idealized love that she felt she had lost. The “lost saints” could represent lost loved ones or lost ideals. This suggests a love that is both sacred and mournful, perhaps reflecting past losses or disappointments. The speaker is of the view that she uses the passions that she used to employ during her sorrows.
Poetic Device
Metaphor: “Lost saints” serves as a metaphor for cherished but bygone figures or ideals, implying that her love for her beloved rekindles the same sacred intensity she once felt.
I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Explanation: In the concluding lines of the poem, the speaker declares that she loves her beloved with every aspect of her life, including her “breath,” “smiles,” and “tears”. This suggests a love that encompasses all of her experiences, emotions, and existence. The final phrase “if God choose, / I shall but love thee better after death” underscores the eternal nature of her love. This line encapsulates the theme of the sonnet – a love that is vast, profound, and transcends the physical world.
Poetic Device
Imagery: The imagery of “breath, smiles, tears” vividly captures the range of human experiences and emotions, illustrating that her love is all-encompassing and deeply felt.
Hyperbole: The claim “I shall but love thee better after death” uses hyperbole to express the speaker’s belief that her love will not only persist but also intensify beyond the confines of mortal life.
Summary
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” was published in 1850 in her collection of 44 interrelated sonnets titled “Sonnets from the Portuguese”. This collection was dedicated to her husband, fellow poet Robert Browning. The poem was written around 1845–1846. It is one of the most famous and recognizable poems in the English language.
“How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a passionate declaration of love from the speaker to her beloved. The poem begins with the speaker asking a rhetorical question about the ways she loves her beloved. She then proceeds to answer this question by listing the various ways in which she loves him.
In the first four lines, the speaker expresses her love in spatial terms, stating that she loves her beloved to the “depth and breadth and height” that her soul can reach. This suggests that her love is not confined to the physical realm but extends into the spiritual realm. In the next two lines, she declares that she loves him to the level of everyday’s most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. This implies that her love is constant and unwavering, present in both the light of day and the darkness of night.
In lines seven and eight, the speaker declares that she loves her beloved freely and purely. Her love is not coerced or tainted by ulterior motives, but is as pure as one’s turn from praise. In the next four lines, she loves him with the passion put to use in her old griefs, and with her childhood’s faith. This suggests that her love is both passionate and innocent, reminiscent of a child’s unshakeable faith.
The speaker concludes the poem by expressing her hope that, if God chooses, she will continue to love her beloved even after death. This underscores the eternal nature of her love. Throughout the poem, the speaker uses various poetic devices such as metaphor, simile, and anaphora to convey the depth and intensity of her love. The poem is a celebration of love that is unconditional, redemptive, pure, selfless, and eternal; it transcends the boundaries of time. It is love in the ideal, uncontested by the realities of the daily routine of relationships and the inevitable imperfections in such a relationship exposed over time.
Key Points
Author: Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a renowned English poet of the Victorian era. She was one of the most prominent poets of her time and her work was widely read both in England and in the United States. Browning’s work was characterized by her use of classical and literary references, her exploration of women’s roles in society, and her innovative use of the sonnet form. Her poetry often dealt with themes of love, loss, and spirituality.
Form (Rhyme Scheme): “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” is a Petrarchan sonnet, also known as the Italian sonnet. This form of sonnet is divided into an octave (the first eight lines) and a sestet (the last six lines). The octave typically presents a problem or poses a question, while the sestet provides a resolution or answer. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBAABBA CDCDCD. This structured form allows the poet to explore complex ideas and emotions in a concise manner.
Speaker: The speaker of the poem is traditionally interpreted as Elizabeth Barrett Browning herself, expressing her deep and profound love for her husband, the poet Robert Browning. However, the speaker and addressee are never identified by name in the poem. This allows the poem to be read as a universal expression of love, applicable to anyone who has experienced deep affection.
Setting: The setting of the poem is not explicitly stated. However, given that the poem is a personal expression of love, it can be inferred that the setting is intimate and personal, likely within the speaker’s own thoughts and emotions. The poem transcends physical location and delves into the realm of emotions and feelings.
Theme: The primary theme of the poem is love. The speaker explores the depth, breadth, and intensity of her love for her beloved. Other themes include devotion, relationships, and the eternal nature of love. The poem explores the idea of love as a powerful and all-encompassing emotion.
Plot: The poem does not have a traditional plot as it is a sonnet, a form of poetry that typically explores a single theme or emotion rather than telling a story. The speaker of the poem is expressing her deep and abiding love for her beloved, enumerating the various ways in which she loves him. The poem unfolds as a list of declarations of love, each one building on the previous one to create a comprehensive portrait of a love that is deep, enduring, and transcendent.
Tone: The tone of the poem is impassioned. The speaker’s deep love for her beloved is expressed with intensity and fervor. The poem is characterized by a tone best described as impassioned, derived from the way the speaker frames it with their opening question: “How do I love thee?” (line 1).
Style: The style of the poem is characterized by its use of the Petrarchan sonnet form, iambic pentameter, and anaphora. The speaker uses specific word choice and figurative language to express the depth and intensity of her love. The poem is also characterized by its hypnotic repetition.
Message: The message of the poem is the profound expression of unconditional and eternal love. Through her carefully chosen words, Browning captures the essence of a love that surpasses boundaries and endures beyond mortality. The speaker’s love for her beloved is presented as boundless and all-encompassing. The poem serves as a testament to the power of love and its ability to transcend physical and temporal boundaries.
Victorian sonnets and their structure
Victorian sonnets were a popular and significant poetic form during the Victorian era. The sonnet form, which was most closely associated with the literary cultures of medieval Italy (Petrarch in particular) and the English Renaissance (Philip Sidney and William Shakespeare especially), enjoyed a rebirth in the late Romantic period. This rebirth was championed and rejuvenated by poets like William Wordsworth and Charlotte Smith.
With the landmark publication of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “Sonnets from the Portuguese” in 1850, the sonnet vogue was given new impetus in the Victorian period and became the site of some of the period’s most important poetic innovations. Chief among these was the revitalization of the Renaissance sonnet sequence, experimental examples of which abounded in the latter half of the 19th century.
A sonnet is a poem that follows a specific structure. It is typically 14 lines long with an octave (8 lines) and a sestet (6 lines), and it uses a specific rhyme scheme. The octave typically introduces a problem or question, while the sestet provides the answer or resolution.
There are two main types of sonnets: Petrarchan (Italian) and Shakespearean (English). Petrarchan sonnets have a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA in the octave and can vary in the sestet, but often use CDECDE or CDCDCD. Shakespearean sonnets, on the other hand, are composed of three quatrains and a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG.
During the Victorian era, the Petrarchan sonnet form and rhyme scheme (octave plus sestet) were favored over the Shakespearean one (three quatrains plus a couplet). The sonnet form was available to both amateur and professional writers alike, and its susceptibility to the expression and treatment of miscellaneous subjects led to concerted efforts to codify the sonnet.
By the end of the century, however, sonnet fatigue had begun to set in, and the form fell into artistic and critical disfavor. But since the 1990s, critics and scholars have been documenting the revival and modification of the sonnet genre in the Victorian era. This development was stimulated by the burgeoning attention given by feminist critics from the 1970s to the groundbreaking adaptation of the Renaissance love sonnet sequence by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Early Life: Elizabeth Barrett Browning was born on March 6, 1806, in Coxhoe Hall, Durham, England. She was the eldest of twelve children in her family. Her father, Edward Barrett Moulton Barrett, chose to raise his family in rural England, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Elizabeth’s mother, Mary Graham Clarke, was a wealthy heiress, which allowed the family to live comfortably. Elizabeth’s childhood was filled with exploration of the countryside and immersion in literature, which sparked her love for poetry.
Education: Elizabeth was educated at home, which was typical for girls of her social standing during this time period. She was an avid reader and showed an early interest in literature, particularly poetry. She started writing poetry at the age of eleven, and her mother compiled these early works into collections, fostering Elizabeth’s love for writing.
Health: Elizabeth’s health was fragile from a young age. At the age of 15, she suffered a spinal injury, which caused her to be bedridden for a significant period of time. This health crisis marked the beginning of lifelong health issues, which often affected her ability to travel and maintain a regular social life. Despite her health challenges, Elizabeth continued to write and publish her work.
Career: Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s career as a poet began early. She published her first collection of poems, “The Battle of Marathon,” at the age of 14. Her work was well-received, and she became a respected figure in London’s literary circles. Her second volume of poetry, “Poems,” published in 1844, included some of her most famous works and solidified her reputation as a leading poet of her time.
Marriage: Elizabeth met fellow poet Robert Browning in 1845, and they quickly fell in love. Their courtship was carried out in secret due to Elizabeth’s father’s disapproval of marriage for his children. They eloped in 1846 and settled in Italy, where they lived for the rest of their lives. Their marriage was a happy one, and they often collaborated on literary projects.
Later Life: Elizabeth and Robert had one son, Robert Wiedeman Barrett Browning, affectionately known as “Pen.” Despite her ongoing health issues, Elizabeth continued to write and publish her work. She became involved in the Italian independence movement and the abolitionist movement, and her work often reflected her political beliefs.
Works: Elizabeth Barrett Browning is best known for her collection of sonnets, “Sonnets from the Portuguese,” which includes the famous sonnet “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43).” Her other notable works include “Aurora Leigh,” “The Cry of the Children,” and “The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim’s Point.”
Death: Elizabeth Barrett Browning died on June 29, 1861, in Florence, Italy. Her death was a great loss to the literary world, and she is remembered as one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era.
Legacy: Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s influence on literature extends beyond her lifetime. Her exploration of women’s roles in society, her innovative use of the sonnet form, and her powerful expressions of love and social justice continue to resonate with readers today. Her work has been studied and celebrated by scholars, and she remains a significant figure in the history of English literature.
Word Meaning
| Tough Word | Meaning in English | Meaning in Hindi |
| Thee | archaic or poetic form of “you” (used in subject or object position) | तुम, तुझे, तुम्हें |
| Grace | simple elegance or refinement of movement; divine favor | कृपा, अनुग्रह, सौंदर्य |
| Strive | make great efforts to achieve or obtain something | प्रयास करना, संघर्ष करना |
| Passion | strong and barely controllable emotion | जुनून, आवेग, प्रबल भावना |
| Griefs | deep sorrow, especially caused by someone’s death | शोक, दु:ख, पीड़ा |
| Lost saints | revered or holy persons who are no longer alive or present | खोए हुए संत |
Very Short Answer Questions
Q: Who is the author of the poem “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)”?
A: The author of the poem is Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Q: In which collection was the poem “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” published?
A: The poem was published in the collection “Sonnets from the Portuguese.”
Q: What is the form of the poem “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)”?
A: The poem is a Petrarchan sonnet.
Q: What is the primary theme of the poem “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)”?
A: The primary theme of the poem is love.
Q: Who is the speaker in the poem “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)”?
A: The speaker is traditionally interpreted as Elizabeth Barrett Browning herself.
Q: To whom is the poem “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” addressed?
A: The poem is addressed to the speaker’s beloved, traditionally interpreted as Robert Browning.
Q: What is the rhyme scheme of the poem “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)”?
A: The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBAABBA CDCDCD.
Q: How many lines does the poem “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” have? A: The poem has 14 lines.
Q: What meter is used in the poem “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)”?
A: The poem is written in iambic pentameter.
Q: What is the tone of the poem “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)”?
A: The tone of the poem is impassioned.
Q: What poetic device is used in the line “I love thee to the depth and breadth and height”?
A: The poetic device used is Imagery and Hyperbole.
Q: What does the speaker compare her love to in the poem “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)”?
A: The speaker compares her love to spatial dimensions, daily needs, and various emotional states.
Q: What does the phrase “I love thee freely, as men strive for right” suggest about the speaker’s love?
A: It suggests that her love is given freely and unconditionally.
Q: What does the phrase “I love thee purely, as they turn from praise” imply about the speaker’s love?
A: It implies that her love is pure and untainted by vanity or desire for recognition.
Q: What does the phrase “I love thee with the passion put to use / In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith” suggest about the speaker’s love?
A: It suggests that her love is both passionate and innocent.
Q: What does the phrase “I love thee with a love I seemed to lose / With my lost saints” suggest about the speaker’s love?
A: It suggests a sense of loss and longing within her love.
Q: What does the phrase “I love thee with the breath, / Smiles, tears, of all my life” suggest about the speaker’s love?
A: It suggests that her love encompasses all of her experiences and emotions.
Q: What does the phrase “and, if God choose, / I shall but love thee better after death” suggest about the speaker’s love?
A: It suggests the eternal nature of her love.
Q: What is the message of the poem “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)”?
A: The message of the poem is the profound expression of unconditional and eternal love.
Q: What impact did the poem “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” have on literature?
A: The poem is considered one of the most famous sonnets in the English language and has influenced numerous other works of literature.
Short Answer Questions
Q: Who is the author of “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” and what is her significance in the literary world?
A: The author of the poem is Elizabeth Barrett Browning, a renowned English poet of the Victorian era. She was one of the most prominent poets of her time and her work was widely read both in England and in the United States. Her exploration of women’s roles in society, her innovative use of the sonnet form, and her powerful expressions of love and social justice continue to resonate with readers today.
Q: What is the structure of “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)”?
A: “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” is a Petrarchan sonnet, also known as the Italian sonnet. This form of sonnet is divided into an octave (the first eight lines) and a sestet (the last six lines). The octave typically presents a problem or poses a question, while the sestet provides a resolution or answer. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBAABBA CDCDCD.
Q: What is the main theme of “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)”?
A: The main theme of the poem is love. The speaker explores the depth, breadth, and intensity of her love for her beloved. Other themes include devotion, relationships, and the eternal nature of love. The poem explores the idea of love as a powerful and all-encompassing emotion.
Q: Who is the speaker in “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)”?
A: The speaker of the poem is traditionally interpreted as Elizabeth Barrett Browning herself, expressing her deep and profound love for her husband, the poet Robert Browning. However, the speaker and addressee are never identified by name in the poem. This allows the poem to be read as a universal expression of love, applicable to anyone who has experienced deep affection.
Q: What is the tone of “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)”?
A: The tone of the poem is impassioned. The speaker’s deep love for her beloved is expressed with intensity and fervor. The poem is characterized by a tone best described as impassioned, derived from the way the speaker frames it with their opening question: “How do I love thee?” (line 1).
Q: What poetic devices are used in “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)”?
A: The poem uses several poetic devices including anaphora, simile, imagery, and iambic pentameter. The phrase “I love thee” is repeated throughout the poem, serving as a device that aids in the counting. Every time the speaker says these words, simply add another number to the total. This repetition at the beginning of sentences or clauses is known as anaphora.
Q: What is the message of “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)”?
A: The message of the poem is the profound expression of unconditional and eternal love. Through her carefully chosen words, Browning captures the essence of a love that surpasses boundaries and endures beyond mortality. The speaker’s love for her beloved is presented as boundless and all-encompassing.
Q: How does the poem “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” reflect the Victorian era?
A: The poem reflects the Victorian era in its exploration of love and devotion, themes that were prevalent in Victorian literature. Additionally, the use of the sonnet form, which was popular during the Victorian era, also reflects the literary conventions of the time.
Q: How does “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” compare to other sonnets written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning?
A: “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” is one of the most famous sonnets written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Like her other sonnets, it explores themes of love and devotion. However, its direct and passionate exploration of these themes, as well as its universal appeal, have made it stand out among her works.
Q: What impact did “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” have on literature? A: “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” is considered one of the most famous sonnets in the English language and has influenced numerous other works of literature. Its exploration of the depth and intensity of love has resonated with readers and writers alike, and it continues to be widely studied and anthologized. The poem’s innovative use of the sonnet form and its powerful expression of love have made it a significant contribution to English literature.
Essay Type Questions
Write the critical appreciation of the poem.
Introduction: “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” is one of the most famous and recognizable poems in the English language. It was written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, a renowned Victorian poet. The poem is part of her collection “Sonnets from the Portuguese,” which was published in 1850. This collection is a series of love poems that Browning wrote to memorialize her love for her husband, the fellow poet Robert Browning.
Central Idea: The central idea of the poem is the speaker’s deep, abiding, and all-encompassing love for her beloved. The speaker enumerates the various ways in which she loves her beloved, expressing her love in terms of spatial dimensions, daily needs, and various emotional states. The speaker’s love is not influenced by external validation or praise but is instead a sincere and genuine emotion.
Structure & Rhyme Scheme: The poem is a Petrarchan sonnet, also known as the Italian sonnet. This form of sonnet is divided into an octave (the first eight lines) and a sestet (the last six lines). The octave typically presents a problem or poses a question, while the sestet provides a resolution or answer. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBAABBA CDCDCD. This structured form allows the poet to explore complex ideas and emotions in a concise manner.
Theme:
1. Unconditional Love: One of the primary themes of the poem is unconditional love. The speaker’s love for her beloved is all-encompassing, enduring, and unwavering. She loves him freely, purely, and with a passion that is put to use in her old griefs and with her childhood’s faith. Her love is not influenced by external validation or praise but is instead a sincere and genuine emotion.
2. Eternal Love: The poem suggests that true love transcends mortality and continues to grow even after death. The speaker’s love for her beloved is presented as boundless and all-encompassing. The final phrase “and, if God choose, / I shall but love thee better after death” underscores the eternal nature of her love.
3. Love as an Expression of Freedom: At the end of the sonnet’s octave, the speaker makes the point that the adoration they feel for their beloved is a matter of choice, and therefore of freedom. The speaker articulates this idea somewhat explicitly in line 7: “I love thee freely, as men strive for right.” To love freely is to love for reasons of the heart rather than for reasons related to social, economic, or political obligation.
4. Love as a Spiritual Passion: There exists a long tradition of love poetry that attributes a spiritual power to love. Ideas about the spirituality of love take different forms. However, the basic idea is that one person’s love for another person can serve as a reflection or expression of a yet greater and purer form of love. The speaker of Browning’s sonnet powerfully references this tradition in the sestet (lines 9–14).
5. The All-Encompassing Reach of Love: The octave of Browning’s sonnet broadly emphasizes the all-encompassing reach of love. Love affects every aspect of the speaker’s life. For instance, they assert that their love is closely linked to the “level of every day’s / Most quiet need” (lines 5–6). Yet even as the speaker’s love permeates the most banal aspects of their daily life, it also transcends everyday experience.
Style: The style of the poem is characterized by its use of the Petrarchan sonnet form, iambic pentameter, and anaphora. The speaker uses specific word choice and figurative language to express the depth and intensity of her love. The poem is also characterized by its hypnotic repetition.
Poetic Devices: Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “Sonnet 43,” part of her “Sonnets from the Portuguese” collection, employs a range of poetic devices to explore the depth, intensity, and purity of love.
1. Anaphora: Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines.The repeated phrase “I love thee” at the beginning of several lines creates a rhythmic pattern and emphasizes the constancy and multiplicity of the speaker’s love. This device underscores the various dimensions of her affection by providing a structured form that mirrors the layered expressions of love.
2. Imagery: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates vivid mental pictures. Browning uses spatial imagery in “depth and breadth and height” to depict the boundlessness of her love. The imagery of “sun and candle-light” contrasts the time of day, suggesting the constancy of her love from morning to night. The sensory details of “breath, smiles, tears” evoke the physical and emotional totality of her affection.
3. Simile: A comparison using “like” or “as.” Browning uses similes to draw parallels between her love and noble actions. For example, “I love thee freely, as men strive for right” and “I love thee purely, as they turn from praise” compare her love to the pursuit of justice and selfless virtue, enhancing the moral and ethical dimensions of her affection.
4. Hyperbole: Exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis. The sonnet employs hyperbole to stress the magnitude of the speaker’s love. Phrases like “I love thee to the depth and breadth and height / My soul can reach” and “I shall but love thee better after death” exaggerate the extent and eternal nature of her love, highlighting its intensity and boundlessness.
5. Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. Alliteration is used to create a musical quality and emphasize certain phrases. Examples include “depth and breadth and height” and “purely, as they turn from praise.” The repetition of initial consonant sounds adds to the poem’s rhythmic flow and draws attention to key concepts.
6. Personification: Assigning human characteristics to non-human entities. The speaker’s soul is personified as having the ability to reach “depth and breadth and height,” suggesting that her love has an active, almost physical presence. This device helps convey the intensity and dynamic nature of her emotions.
7. Metaphor: A direct comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.” Metaphors in the poem deepen the understanding of the speaker’s love. For instance, “I love thee with a love I seemed to lose / With my lost saints” compares her enduring love to the reverence she once held for saints, suggesting a sacred and profound quality.
8. Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or clause across a line break.Enjambment is used throughout the sonnet to maintain the flow of thought and emotion from one line to the next. This creates a sense of continuity and reflects the unbroken and persistent nature of her love. Examples include “I love thee to the depth and breadth and height / My soul can reach” and “I love thee with the passion put to use / In my old griefs.”
9. Juxtaposition: Placing two elements close together to highlight their contrast or interaction. Browning juxtaposes various aspects of love and life to highlight its complexity. For example, “old griefs” are contrasted with “childhood’s faith,” and “smiles, tears” juxtapose different emotional states, illustrating that her love encompasses a wide range of experiences.
Message: The message of the poem is the profound expression of unconditional and eternal love. Through her carefully chosen words, Browning captures the essence of a love that surpasses boundaries and endures beyond mortality. The speaker’s love for her beloved is presented as boundless and all-encompassing.
Conclusion: “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” is a powerful exploration of love that is deep, enduring, and transcendent. Through her use of the Petrarchan sonnet form, iambic pentameter, and anaphora, Browning creates a rich and layered exploration of love that resonates with readers. The speaker’s love for her beloved is presented as boundless and all-encompassing, permeating every aspect of her life and extending beyond the physical world into the spiritual realm.
