sonnet 43

• context: elizabeth's brother drowned at a young age, making her father very over-protective of her. she eloped against his wishes with the poet, Robert Browning, showing how important love was to her
• structure: repetition of "i love thee" sounds similar to a prayer so she could be praying that someday they'll be able to be together one day. At the beginning of the poem she makes references to her love being limitless
• "how do i love thee?" - questions how she can prove/express how much she loves Robert Browning
• "i shall but love thee better after death" - could suggest she loves everything about Robert Browning, with every emotion. even with every 'breath' she takes she thinks about him