Background Information
One of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s most well-known poems, How Do I Love Thee?,was written in the mid-1800s, during the Victorian period. It is a sonnet written in iambic pentameter and consists of fourteen lines. It was written as a dedication to Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s husband, Robert Browning. The poem is considered one of the greatest declarations of love in English literature.
Analysis of Poem
The poem begins with the speaker expressing her love for her lover, noting that it is stronger today than it was yesterday. She claims that she could love him “for ever,” and is certain that her love will outlast any physical impediments, such as death, or the passage of time. The second quatrain focuses on the speaker’s faith in her love, as she declares that it will be with her “in the silence of the night”, and that it will “lift the years and whisk them out of sight”. This suggests that the speaker’s love is so strong, it is able to conquer the passage of time itself.
The third quatrain continues with the theme of the speaker’s faith in her love, as she notes that she will love her beloved to “the level of every day’s Most quiet need”. This connotes that the speaker has absolute faith in her love, as it exists in all aspects of life, even in moments of pain or sorrow. The final quatrain of the poem ends with the speaker imploring her beloved to “Love me for what I am”. This suggests that the speaker’s love is real and genuine, and that she does not expect him to conform to any rigid standard of behavior.
Summary of Poem
The poem How Do I Love Thee? is a romantic tribute to the speaker’s beloved, and is a testament to the strength and permanence of the speaker’s love. The poem speaks to the notion that love can transcend any physical impediments or the passage of time. The speaker also has absolute faith in her love, claiming that it exists in all aspects of life, even in moments of pain or sorrow. Finally, the speaker implores her beloved to “Love me for what I am”, suggesting that her love is real and genuine, and that she does not expect him to conform to any rigid standard of behavior.
Social Analysis of Poem
Given its publication during the Victorian period, it is likely that the poem was intended to challenge traditional gender roles and advocate for a more modern attitude towards love and relationships. During this period, women were expected to be subservient to men, so the speaker’s bold declaration of her own love and desires was likely seen as a radical departure from the norm. Furthermore, the speaker’s plea for her beloved to “Love me for what I am” suggests an admirable desire to be accepted and respected, regardless of societal conventions or expectations.
Though the poem is relatively short, its message is clear and resonates even today. The speaker’s unabashed love and faith in her beloved’s ability to reciprocate is both romantic and inspiring. In a time when women’s voices were not often heard, the speaker’s insistence that her love be fully respected and accepted is both powerful and moving.
Historical Context of Poem
How Do I Love Thee? was published in 1850, a few years after Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning married secretly. At the time, Barrett’s father refused to accept their marriage, and was so opposed to it that he refused to speak to his daughter for almost a decade. Consequently, the poem can be seen as an ode to the resilience of their union and the strength of the couple’s love.
The poem was also written at a time when it was unheard of for a woman to openly declare her love and devotion in such a bold and daring manner. Unlike most of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poetry, which was often dense and philosophical, How Do I Love Thee? is simple, straightforward, and unapologetically romantic. Its publication was a marked departure from the norms and expectations of the period, and was likely seen as a defiant form of resistance against the rigid gender roles and expectations of the time.
Impact of Poem
The impact of How Do I Love Thee? is still felt today. It has become one of the most beloved love poems of all time and has been set to music and quoted by countless writers and poets. In fact, the poem was featured prominently in Baz Luhrmann’s 1999 film adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The poem is often seen as a testament to the power and resilience of true love, and its message of acceptance and respect are important in any relationship.
Though the poem was revolutionary when it was first published, its message still stands true today. How Do I Love Thee? is a beautiful and poignant declaration of love, and its celebration of this deep and abiding emotion has resonated with readers for almost two centuries.
Real Life Application of Poem
The message of the poem How Do I Love Thee? is timeless, and its application to modern relationships is undeniable. In today’s age of 24-hour communication, it is often easy to forget the actual meaning of love, and the importance of expressing it to one’s partner. The speaker’s declaration serves as a reminder that real love is not temporary, but rather something that can withstand even the toughest of circumstances.
The speaker’s plea for her beloved to “love me for what I am” is especially relevant in today’s world of social media and curated lives. This is a strong reminder to celebrate individual differences and uniqueness, and to view them not as flaws, but rather as something to be valued. The poem serves as a reminder that when love is genuine, it looks past any physical or emotional differences, and celebrates all that makes us unique.
Psychological Analysis of Poem
When analyzing the poem from a psychological perspective, it is clear that the speaker is displaying a strong sense of confidence and autonomy. She displays an admirable level of self-acceptance and self-love, as evidenced by her plea that her beloved to “Love me for what I am”. This suggests a degree of emotional maturity, as the speaker is willing to accept her beloved as he is and vice versa.
The poem also speaks to the idea of interdependence, as the speaker insists that her love is strong enough to “outlast any physical impediments”, and that it will remain with her in even the “silence of the night”. This demonstrates a strong belief in the power of love, a belief that her love is strong enough to withstand any representation of pain or sorrow.
Finally, the poem serves as a reminder that love is not bound by physical or temporal limitations. The speaker insists that her love is so strong that it will exist “for ever,” and can resist the passage of time. This is a powerful reminder that true love is eternal, and that it will always persevere, no matter the circumstances.
Conclusion
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem How Do I Love Thee? is an inspiring testament to the power and permanence of love. Though the poem was revolutionary for its time, its message is still relevant today. It speaks to the idea of acceptance and respect in relationships, and the need for self-confidence and interdependence. It also serves as a reminder that love is not bound by physical or temporal limitations, but rather can exist “for
