How Do I Love Thee by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a poem composed by the esteemed romantic poet in 1845. It is written in sonnet form and while it is considered one of her most popular works, it hasn’t always been this way. In fact, when it was first composed, it was not an immediate success. It grew in popularity over time as it was published in multiple anthologies throughout the 19th Century.
The poem is a classic example of the Victorian ‘poetic dialogue’ tradition. It is composed of 14 lines written in iambic pentameter and divided into two sections, known as an octave and sestet. It is the poet’s declaration of enduring and absolute love for the other person and the various ways they can express it.
The poem begins with a rhetorical question asking how the beloved can be loved. From then on, it starts with a series of conditional statements in which the narrator expresses their love. For example, they say they would love their beloved “as long as men can breathe” or as far as “the farthest sea.” Each succeeding line is more imaginative than the last.
The tone of the poem is romantic, wistful and full of longing. Despite the fact that it’s directed at an unknown other, it can effectively be used to express one’s love for friends and family as well. It is one of the most memorable of all the love poems written during its time and remains one of the go-to options for those looking for beautiful romantic verse.
The poem ends with the narrator stating that they will “love thee with the love I seemed to lose/With my lost saints.” This is a reference to the poet’s Christian faith and serves to emphasize the poem’s message of unconditional love and acceptance. To put it simply, the message of the poem is that one may love beyond their physical capacity, and that love can even grow and evolve over time.
Cultural Significance
Cultural significance of How Do I Love Thee by Elizabeth Barrett Browning has been a primary source of exploration for countless generations. It has become a mainstay of romantic literature, having been referenced countless times on television, film and other works of literature. It is particularly popular among fans of the romance genre, with its wording often used to generate sparks of intense emotion during pivotal scenes in fiction. It has since become a symbol of the sentimentality of romance and love for many.
The poem has been particularly influential in the wedding industry, with many brides and grooms using it as a popular “reading” during their ceremonies. Furthermore, the poem has been incorporated into many pieces of music by composers throughout the centuries, showcasing its enduring influence on our culture. From rock ballads to classical pieces, its words have been used to transport us on a journey through the artistic mediums.
It is perhaps this widespread influence and presence in our culture that renders the poem so timeless. Despite being written almost two centuries ago, its message remains the same. The poem serves as a source of comfort and a reminder of the capacity of love to be lasting, eternal and unconditional.
Feminist Perspective
A feminist reading of How Do I Love Thee by Elizabeth Barrett Browning has been heavily documented. Under a feminist lens, its aspects can be dissected more conceptually than simply viewing it as a romantic poem. It can be viewed as an expression of female power and strength in a society that condemned such traits.
The narrator of the poem is a woman who expresses her love ahead of the man. This can be seen as her taking control of her own emotions and rejecting the ‘deferred male love’ trope often found in literature of its time. She is not simply waiting for his love, but instead is unabashedly expressing hers first.
The narrator also speaks of her love in a positive and life affirming way. She talks of her love being a refuge rather than something restrictive and oppressive. This counters patriarchal values of the time that viewed all feelings of love towards women as toxic and unnatural. In this way, the poem can be seen as a subtle subversion of the patriarchy in 19th century England.
Literary Analysis
Literary analysis of How Do I Love Thee by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is incredibly multi-faceted. The poem contains prominent liturgical tropes, symbols and imagery in its wording. This reinforces its role as part of the traditionally religious rhetoric of love that is so often found within the works of this period.
The poem can be seen as an allegory for religious faith and devotion, with the narrator expressing the same degree of reverence for their beloved that one would their God. This is highlighted by the imagery of lost saints found in the last line, which harkens back to the religious heritage of the poem.
That being said, the poem can be stripped of its religious context and still be understood and appreciated. This is ultimately the effect of other poems of the romantic era—they can be interpreted both within and outside of their context, immortalizing their essence and imparting timeless knowledge. This gives them the prestige and important perspective that many modern works strive for, but rarely succeed in.
Comparison to Other Works
Comparisons between How Do I Love Thee by Elizabeth Barrett Browning and similar poems and works from the period can be made in order to better understand its literary impact. While the poem is not the only love poem of its time, its distinct themes and imagery stand out from all other of its contemporaries. Browning’s poem focuses heavily on the intensity of one’s love for the other and is perhaps less about physical or tangible love than many others of the era.
Most of her contemporaries were more focused on displaying their love as material and concrete, even dwelling on the physical characteristics of their beloved. Browning, on the other hand, focused on how far-reaching and powerful the love of two souls connected could be, no matter the circumstance. As such, her work is often referred to as the most “progressive” of the era, though the political implications of her writing are often overlooked.
Ultimately, How Do I Love Thee by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is an immortal piece of romantic literature. Its continues to be one of the go-to works for those looking for a timeless expression of love. Its eloquence, symbolism and revolutionary themes make it a poem for the ages and provide a powerful perspective for anyone fortunate enough to experience it.
Historical Context
Historical context of How Do I Love Thee by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is both relevant and often overlooked. The time period in which the poem was composed was one of immense societal change and instability. In the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution and on the precipice of colonialism, people were beginning to search desperately for peace and comfort in a tumultuous age. This is perhaps why the poem was so popular during its release—it provided an escape and a source of solace for many during these trying times.
It is also interesting to note that the poem was composed at a time of immense political and cultural upheaval. This can make the poem’s counterculture message more powerful, as it was written in an incredibly oppressive society and still saw fit to break away from the traditional ideals of love and embrace a more progressive viewpoint. This
