Key Quotes

• The opening line ‘How do I love thee?’ suggests an intimate conversation between lovers.
• ‘Depth’, ‘breadth’ and ‘height’ are weighty concepts which suggest her love is comprehensive and allows her to reach impossible extremes.
• Poem of comparisons –‘Most quiet need’ and ‘men strive for Right’ are two very different ideas. One is simple and one is complex showing the intensity of her feelings.
• Replaced her faith in God with her love for her husband – ‘lost saints’.
• ‘I love thee better after death’ suggests even death will not part them. Their love is eternal.