Sonnet 43

• What kind of Poet is Elizabeth Barrett Browning?

  19th century
• Who was 'Sonnet 43' written by?

  Elizabeth Barrett Browning
• When was 'Sonnet 43' published?

  1850
• What collection was 'Sonnet 43' a part of?

  Sonnets from the Portuguese
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning: 'How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.'
• Depth, breadth and height

  Weighty concepts which suggest her love is comprehensive and allows her to reach impossible extremes
• Her love is


  Simple and complex
• She has replaced her faith in God


  With her love for her husband
• Even death will not part them

  Their love is eternal
• Sonnet 43

  • Repetition of 'I love thee' sounds similar to a prayer
  • References to her love being limitless
  • Avoids a perfect rhyme scheme, perhaps reflecting their unconventional but close relationship