1
Write a close critical analysis of one of the following poems in The Norton Anthology
Writing on Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 43
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 43 is principally a poem about the intense love and
compassion a woman feels for her husband. The poem is taken from a collection of
sonnets, entitled Sonnets from the Portuguese, which trace the interlude between 1945,
when Elizabeth met her partner Robert Browning, to 1846, when they were married.
Browning lived and wrote during the Victorian era, a time of major societal and
economical change. This is reflected in her work, which draws on religious, political, and
social influences.
The period of 1837-1880 was a period of great change in Britain, whereby the
policy of imperialism was at the forefront of the political agenda. It was a time of pushing
limits and extending boundaries, a period of mans striving for greater things previously
deemed unreachable. This attitude of the era is reflected in Browning’s use of language
and imagery. She is said to love her partner to the ‘depth and breadth and height’1 (l.2)
her ‘soul can reach’ (l.3). This pattern of three nouns adds to the vastness and enormity of
her love, but also emphasises the spirit of the time; the desire to push boundaries, and
reach places on a higher level. The use of words and connotations implying distance and
boundaries is used consistently throughout the poem. Browning loves to the ‘level’ (l.5)
of ‘everyday’s/ Most quiet need’ (l.5-6), and when feeling ‘out of sight/ For the ends of
Being and ideal Grace’ (l.3-4). The period was also a time of mans striving for greater
1
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, ‘Sonnet 43’, in The Norton Anthology of Poetry, 5th edn, ed. Margaret
Fergusson, Mary Jo Salter and Jon Stallworthy ((New York: Norton, 1970), p.947 (l.2). All further
references to Browning’s poem are to this edition and are given in this text.
5
, 2
things, and the use of the word strive in the phrase ‘as men strive for Right’ (l.7),
emphasises the determination of man to propel himself forward in society during the era.
Despite the period being economically buoyant, a period of hollowness
accompanied the great social and political changes taking place. This is perhaps reflected
in the phrases ‘I love with a passion put to use/ In my old griefs’ (l.9-10) and ‘I love thee
with a love I seemed to lose/ With my lost saints’ (l.11-12). The first seems to indicate
that the period was a time of struggle and hardship; life was comparably hard for the
Victorians and there was a certain emptiness characterising the period. Perhaps Browning
is suggesting that the love she was unable to express during her difficult childhood is now
being unleashed upon her partner, and her compressed desires are finally being
expressed. The ‘old griefs’ (l.10) could also be a reference to the death of her mother in
1828, who perhaps is alluded to as one of Browning’s ‘lost saints’ (l.12) to whom she lost
her love. The use of private emotions and experiences personalises the love being
expressed, and adds to the intense nature of the feeling. Despite perhaps a difficult
upbringing, however, it is clear that Browning is from the literate and educated sector of
society. Browning begins the sonnet using the literacy device of a rhetorical question,
‘How do I love thee?’ (l.1). This device immediately captures the reader’s attention,
giving them the impetus to read further into the narrator’s stream of consciousness. The
statement following the opening question is extremely precise and matter of fact; ‘Let me
count the ways’ (l.1). This precise and defined manner of speech continues throughout
the sonnet, and perhaps is a reflection of Browning’s middle class status.
5
Write a close critical analysis of one of the following poems in The Norton Anthology
Writing on Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 43
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 43 is principally a poem about the intense love and
compassion a woman feels for her husband. The poem is taken from a collection of
sonnets, entitled Sonnets from the Portuguese, which trace the interlude between 1945,
when Elizabeth met her partner Robert Browning, to 1846, when they were married.
Browning lived and wrote during the Victorian era, a time of major societal and
economical change. This is reflected in her work, which draws on religious, political, and
social influences.
The period of 1837-1880 was a period of great change in Britain, whereby the
policy of imperialism was at the forefront of the political agenda. It was a time of pushing
limits and extending boundaries, a period of mans striving for greater things previously
deemed unreachable. This attitude of the era is reflected in Browning’s use of language
and imagery. She is said to love her partner to the ‘depth and breadth and height’1 (l.2)
her ‘soul can reach’ (l.3). This pattern of three nouns adds to the vastness and enormity of
her love, but also emphasises the spirit of the time; the desire to push boundaries, and
reach places on a higher level. The use of words and connotations implying distance and
boundaries is used consistently throughout the poem. Browning loves to the ‘level’ (l.5)
of ‘everyday’s/ Most quiet need’ (l.5-6), and when feeling ‘out of sight/ For the ends of
Being and ideal Grace’ (l.3-4). The period was also a time of mans striving for greater
1
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, ‘Sonnet 43’, in The Norton Anthology of Poetry, 5th edn, ed. Margaret
Fergusson, Mary Jo Salter and Jon Stallworthy ((New York: Norton, 1970), p.947 (l.2). All further
references to Browning’s poem are to this edition and are given in this text.
5
, 2
things, and the use of the word strive in the phrase ‘as men strive for Right’ (l.7),
emphasises the determination of man to propel himself forward in society during the era.
Despite the period being economically buoyant, a period of hollowness
accompanied the great social and political changes taking place. This is perhaps reflected
in the phrases ‘I love with a passion put to use/ In my old griefs’ (l.9-10) and ‘I love thee
with a love I seemed to lose/ With my lost saints’ (l.11-12). The first seems to indicate
that the period was a time of struggle and hardship; life was comparably hard for the
Victorians and there was a certain emptiness characterising the period. Perhaps Browning
is suggesting that the love she was unable to express during her difficult childhood is now
being unleashed upon her partner, and her compressed desires are finally being
expressed. The ‘old griefs’ (l.10) could also be a reference to the death of her mother in
1828, who perhaps is alluded to as one of Browning’s ‘lost saints’ (l.12) to whom she lost
her love. The use of private emotions and experiences personalises the love being
expressed, and adds to the intense nature of the feeling. Despite perhaps a difficult
upbringing, however, it is clear that Browning is from the literate and educated sector of
society. Browning begins the sonnet using the literacy device of a rhetorical question,
‘How do I love thee?’ (l.1). This device immediately captures the reader’s attention,
giving them the impetus to read further into the narrator’s stream of consciousness. The
statement following the opening question is extremely precise and matter of fact; ‘Let me
count the ways’ (l.1). This precise and defined manner of speech continues throughout
the sonnet, and perhaps is a reflection of Browning’s middle class status.
5
