Sonnet 43

• Written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
• Written in a set of 44 sonnets to her husband Robert Browning
• Opening of 'how do i love thee' suggests an intimate conversation between lovers
• 'Depth' 'breadth' and 'height' are big, weighty concepts, suggesting her love reaches the extremes
• Repetition of ‘I love the’ sounds like a prayer
• It is the length of a traditional sonnet but doesn’t follow the traditional rhyme scheme - reflects their relationship, unconventional but with close unity
• Lots of ways to love as she has to ‘count’
• Compares love for Robert with love for God - ‘being an ideal grace’
• Love is immeasurable ‘my soul can reach’
• References the Sun - he is her life source and cannot live without him
• ‘Candelight’ - lights up life and dark thoughts
• Willing to fight for love, no one is influencing her - ‘freely as men strive for right’
• Turns ‘old griefs’ into positI’ve things - transforms sadness to happiness
• ‘I love thee with every breath’, she loves everything about Robert. Thinks of him every second (breath)
• ‘I shall love thee better after death’ - love is eternal
• Link to :


  Cosy Apologia, She walks in beauty, Valentine (love and relationships)