The sonnet is very honest and innocent as a result of the very small intended audience and this adds to the appeal of it. It also seems so honest because the poet and the speaker are the same person, so these sonnets allow the reader to catch a glimpse of Browning's innermost thoughts and feelings, especially that she loves "with the breath,/Smiles, tears of all [her] life" (lines 12-13).
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnets from the Portuguese are a very passionate collection of poems. I feel the most passionate one, though, is Sonnet 43. The language is very flowing and appears to be effortless, especially with the simple rhyme scheme. The comparisons used also contribute to the simplicity of the poem "I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;/I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise" (lines 7-8). This may also be seen as a very pure collection of sonnets, as Browning only wrote them for herself and ultimately her husband. When writing them, she had no intentions of publishing them. Even when they were eventually published, it was with a deceiving title indicating that they are only translations.
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2 comments:
Rachel,
Good start on your comments on Barrett Browning's sonnets, and one good quotation from the text. Your post doesn't seem to go into as much depth or detail as your better work, though.
I also discussed Browning's Sonnet 43. I agree that it was the deepest and most passionate sonnet that had been placed in the book. Her deep love and affection for her husband was simply beautiful. Unfortunately, I agree with the professor. I would have loved to see you discuss the poem more.
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