Sonnet 29

• What is the main theme of Sonnet 29?

  Obsessive thoughts about the speaker's lover
• What metaphor is used in Sonnet 29 to describe the speaker's love?

  Vines encircling a tree
• How does the speaker's perspective change throughout Sonnet 29?

  From obsessive thoughts to physical presence
• What does the speaker's use of the metaphor of vines imply about her feelings?

  • Thoughts wrap around her lover
  • Suggests growing love
  • Implies dependency on the lover
• Who is the speaker of Sonnet 29 commonly assumed to be?

  Elizabeth Barrett Browning
• What collection is Sonnet 29 part of?

  Sonnets from the Portuguese
• Why did Barrett Browning write Sonnet 29?

  During her courtship with Robert Browning
• What societal expectations did Barrett Browning challenge through her poetry?

  Expectations for women to suppress emotions
• How does the speaker's relationship with her lover affect her thoughts?

  Her thoughts become overwhelming and obsessive
• What is the structure of Sonnet 29?

  • Petrarchan sonnet
  • Two quatrains and one sestet
  • Written in iambic pentameter
• What does the early volta in Sonnet 29 signify?

  A shift in tone and realization of love
• What is the rhyme scheme of Sonnet 29?

  ABBCCBBCDBDBDB
• How does Barrett Browning's use of auditory imagery contribute to the poem?

  It creates a sense of intimacy and closeness
• What does the use of the pronoun "my" signify in Sonnet 29?

  Dependency on her lover
• What are the key themes in Sonnet 29?

  • Obsession and longing
  • The contrast between thought and presence
  • The impact of societal expectations on love
• What does the palm tree symbolize in Sonnet 29?

  Stability and dependability of the lover
• How does Barrett Browning's health influence the themes in Sonnet 29?

  It reflects her thoughts on presence versus absence
• What are the similarities and differences between Sonnet 29 and "Love's Philosophy"?

  Similarities:

  • Use of natural imagery for love
  • Short and concise structure

  
  

  Differences:

  • Resolution in Sonnet 29 vs. stagnation in "Love's Philosophy"
  • Sonnet 29's focus on obsessive thoughts vs. "Love's Philosophy" lack of progression
• What are the similarities and differences between Sonnet 29 and "Porphyria's Lover"?

  Similarities:

  • Unhealthy fixation on the beloved
  • Use of natural imagery

  
  

  Differences:

  • Self-awareness in Sonnet 29 vs. lack in "Porphyria's Lover"
  • Structure differences: Sonnet 29 is rigid, "Porphyria's Lover" is continuous
• What does the phrase "I do not think of thee – I am too near thee" signify in Sonnet 29?

  Realization of love's fulfillment in presence
• How does the imagery of suffocation relate to the speaker's feelings in Sonnet 29?

  It illustrates the overwhelming nature of her love
• What literary device is primarily used throughout Sonnet 29?

  Extended metaphor
• How does Barrett Browning's choice of sonnet form reflect her feelings about love?

  It suggests a traditional yet unconventional love
• What does the use of alliterative sibilance in Sonnet 29 create?

  A negative tone towards obsessive thoughts
• What does the phrase "bands of greenery which insphere thee" imply about the speaker's thoughts?

  Her thoughts are suffocating and overwhelming
• What does the term "volta" refer to in sonnet structure?

  A turn in tone or mood
• How does the speaker's obsessive nature manifest in Sonnet 29?

  Through vivid imagery and metaphors
• What does the speaker's desire for physical presence indicate about her feelings?

  It shows a longing for connection and intimacy
• What does the speaker mean by "I will not have my thoughts instead of thee"?

  She prefers physical presence over obsessive thoughts
• What does the phrase "burst, shattered, everywhere!" suggest about the speaker's thoughts?

  Her obsessive thoughts are breaking apart
• How does the imagery of nature contribute to the overall theme of Sonnet 29?

  It symbolizes the growth and intensity of love
• What does the speaker's final realization in Sonnet 29 signify?

  A shift from obsession to fulfillment in love
• How does Barrett Browning's use of vivid imagery affect the reader's perception of love?

  It creates a deep emotional connection to love
• What does the speaker's use of the word "shadow" imply in Sonnet 29?

  A sense of comfort and protection in love
• What does the phrase "breathe within thy shadow a new air" suggest about the speaker's feelings?

  She finds renewal and joy in her lover's presence
• How does the structure of Sonnet 29 reflect the speaker's emotional journey?

  It moves from obsession to resolution and fulfillment
• What does the speaker's longing for her lover reveal about her character?

  She is deeply emotional and passionate
• What literary period does Elizabeth Barrett Browning belong to?

  Victorian era
• How does the poem's title "I think of thee!" reflect the speaker's emotional state?

  It emphasizes her obsessive thoughts about her lover
• What role does the imagery of suffocation play in Sonnet 29?

  It highlights the overwhelming nature of love