Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Sonnet 43

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Questions and Answers

What is the central theme of Sonnet 43?

The speaker's lament over past losses and grief.
The speaker's attempt to quantify and express the immense depth of her love. (correct)
The speaker's anxiety about the future of the relationship.
The speaker's exploration of the contrast between earthly and divine love.

In the context of the poem, what does the phrase 'feeling out of sight / For the ends of Being and Ideal Grace' suggest about the speaker's love?

Her love is a purely rational and calculated emotion.
Her love is limited by her physical senses and earthly understanding.
Her love is superficial and based on outward appearances.
Her love is spiritual and transcends the boundaries of human existence. (correct)

What is the significance of the line 'I love thee to the level of everyday’s / Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight'?

It highlights the speaker's appreciation for the simple, ordinary aspects of love. (correct)
It reveals the speaker's need for constant reassurance and attention.
It implies that the speaker's love is only present during specific times of the day.
It suggests that the speaker's love is adaptable and mundane

The lines 'I love thee freely, as men strive for Right— / I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise' suggest that the speaker's love is characterized by what qualities?

Unconditionality and a lack of concern for external validation. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the speaker mean when she says, 'I love thee with the passion, put to use / In my old griefs…'?

She is indicating that her past experiences have intensified her capacity for love and empathy. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the poem, what is the significance of the speaker mentioning 'my childhood’s faith'?

It symbolizes a pure, unadulterated, and unquestioning form of love. (D) Signup and view all the answers

The lines 'I love thee with the love I seemed to lose / With my lost Saints' suggest that the speaker:

Has regained a sense of hope and devotion through her love. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the speaker mean by 'Smiles, tears, of all my life!'?

Her love encompasses the full spectrum of human experience. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The final line, 'I shall but love thee better after my death,' suggests that the speaker believes:

Love transcends mortality and continues eternally. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the structure of Sonnet 43 (a Petrarchan sonnet) contribute to the poem's meaning?

The structure provides a framework for the speaker to systematically explore the different dimensions of her love. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Sonnet 43 Theme

The speaker explores the immeasurable extent and profound nature of her love, using vivid imagery and hyperbole to convey its depth and intensity.

Anaphora in Sonnet 43

The speaker uses anaphora, repeating "I love thee" to emphasize the numerous ways she loves her beloved, creating a rhythmic and persuasive effect.

Imagery of Love's Extent

The speaker describes her love as reaching the "depth and breadth and height" her soul can reach, illustrating its boundless and all-encompassing quality.

Love's Connection to Life

The speaker connects her love to fundamental aspects of life like "everyday's most quiet need" and spiritual ideals such as "Being and Ideal Grace," suggesting its integral and transcendent nature.