Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 43, often recognized by its famous first line How do I love thee? Let me count the ways, stands as one of the most cherished love poems in the English literary tradition. Written during the Victorian era as part of her collection Sonnets from the Portuguese, this poem reveals deep, passionate affection that transcends both time and space. The sonnet’s enduring popularity lies not only in its elegant language but also in its universal emotional appeal. Browning’s work is an essential piece for understanding Victorian poetry, romantic expression, and the evolution of the sonnet form.
Context of the Sonnet
Sonnet 43 was written during a period of intense personal and romantic significance in Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s life. At the time, she was engaged in a secret courtship with fellow poet Robert Browning. Their love developed through letters and shared literary admiration. Eventually, they married and moved to Italy, where Elizabeth’s health improved and her poetry flourished.
This sonnet is the penultimate poem in the Sonnets from the Portuguese series, a title that disguises the deeply personal nature of the content. The poems document the progression of their romance and the speaker’s emotional journey. Though the title suggests a translation, the work is entirely original, giving Elizabeth a protective distance from exposing her real-life emotions too directly.
Structure and Form
The poem follows the structure of a Petrarchan or Italian sonnet. This form consists of 14 lines, divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), typically written in iambic pentameter. Browning skillfully adheres to this classical form, employing a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA in the octave and a more flexible pattern, such as CDC DCD, in the sestet.
The structure serves to build a logical progression in the speaker’s declaration of love. The octave establishes the theme of love’s vastness, while the sestet expands on how deeply rooted and everlasting this love is, tying it to spiritual and eternal dimensions.
Analysis of Key Lines
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
The opening line immediately establishes the speaker’s intent to enumerate the many forms her love takes. This rhetorical approach invites the reader to explore love not as a single emotion, but as a multifaceted experience. The use of count suggests methodical introspection, as if love can be measured by the soul.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height / My soul can reach
These lines emphasize the boundless nature of the speaker’s love. By incorporating spatial imagery, Browning elevates her emotion beyond physical constraints. The soul becomes the measure of love’s capacity an idea that imbues the relationship with a sense of infinity and metaphysical grandeur.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right; / I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
Here, love is compared to virtue and morality. It is portrayed as an honest, uncoerced emotion, born from integrity and devoid of vanity. These comparisons anchor the poem in Victorian values while also enhancing the spiritual quality of the affection described.
I love thee with the breath, / Smiles, tears, of all my life
This line encapsulates love as a constant and natural element in the speaker’s existence. It is as essential and ever-present as breathing, woven into all emotional states joy, sorrow, and everything in between. Love here is life itself, pervasive and unyielding.
I shall but love thee better after death.
The poem closes with a profound assertion of eternal love. Even death, often viewed as love’s greatest obstacle, is transcended. This spiritual and eternal view of love confirms that the emotion is not confined to earthly existence but will endure in the afterlife.
Themes and Motifs
Unconditional Love
The dominant theme is unconditional, boundless love. The speaker describes her affection in terms that surpass physical limits, connecting to ideals of virtue, faith, and eternity. Her love is not dependent on reciprocation or reward but is a part of her essence.
Spiritual and Eternal Bond
There is a strong sense that love is not merely an earthly sentiment but a spiritual force. The references to soul, faith, and even life after death imply that true love transcends mortality and continues beyond the grave.
Emotional Intensity
Every line of the sonnet is saturated with emotional fervor. The speaker does not merely express love; she lives it, breathes it, and embodies it. The intensity of feeling reflects both the passion of a romantic relationship and the deep internalization of love as a guiding principle.
Literary Devices
- AnaphoraThe repetition of I love thee at the beginning of multiple lines emphasizes the speaker’s devotion and creates a rhythmic resonance that mirrors the heartbeat of her affection.
- ImagerySpatial, sensory, and emotional imagery brings the abstract concept of love into vivid, tangible focus.
- AlliterationSubtle uses of alliteration, such as in depth and breadth and height, enhance the poem’s musicality.
- EnjambmentThe poem frequently uses enjambment to allow thoughts to flow over several lines, mirroring the continuous and uninterrupted nature of love.
Impact and Legacy
Sonnet 43 is arguably Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s most famous poem, and it has remained widely quoted in literature, popular culture, and even wedding ceremonies. Its enduring appeal lies in its simplicity, sincerity, and universality. Many readers find comfort and inspiration in its hopeful depiction of love’s enduring power.
The poem also plays a crucial role in the canon of Victorian poetry, illustrating how deeply personal emotions could be elevated through traditional poetic forms. Browning’s ability to blend classical structure with intense personal emotion helped pave the way for future poets to explore intimate subjects with authenticity.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 43 continues to resonate because it speaks to one of humanity’s most profound experiences love. Through elegant language, a strong structural foundation, and deeply personal reflections, the poem transforms romantic feeling into a spiritual declaration. It is a celebration of love in all its forms free, pure, enduring, and eternal. As both a literary artifact and a heartfelt message, the sonnet remains a timeless testament to the power of poetic expression and emotional truth.