Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861), a Victorian poet, was best known for her passionate verse novel Sonnets from the Portuguese. Although her work was initially obscure, she became recognised as one of the major poets of the English-speaking world in the early 19th century. Today, she is remembered for her pioneering influence on 19th-century literary culture.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning was born on March 6, 1806 in Durham, England, to Edward Barrett Moulton-Barrett and Mary Graham Clarke. Her childhood was quite privileged; her father was a wealthy squire and her mother was a devoted housewife. She was exposed to literature early in life, with her father’s library and her mother’s journals celebrating the legacy of Elizabeth I.
Browning’s childhood was a happy and contented one, and she found a passion for writing at an early age. She wrote her first poem at the age of 11 and her work was published in local newspapers by 15. She moved to London in 1835 to publish her first book, An Essay on Mind and Other Poems, attracting the attention of literary critics and publishers.
In 1845, Browning published her most famous work, Sonnets from the Portuguese. The sequence of 44 love sonnets was dedicated to her husband, the poet Robert Browning. The work was an immediate success and was praised for its depth of emotion, use of imagery and its compelling content. The poem was celebrated by both the public and the critics and was highly influential in the Victorian period.
During her lifetime, Browning also wrote a number of other volumes, including Aurora Leigh and Other Poems (1856), The Roman Book of Elegies (1860) and Last Poems (1862). She was highly respected in literary circles, but only became truly famous after her death in 1861. Her work had a lasting influence on 19th century poetry and she is considered one of the greatest female poets of the period.
The Legacy of Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Today, Elizabeth Barrett Browning is remembered as one of the most influential female poets of the 19th century. Her work was deeply influential to the Victorian period, with her passionate and emotional sonnets setting the standard for love poems. Her legacy is evident in the works of other female poets, from the Brontë sisters to Sylvia Plath.
Browning is also remembered for her defiance of social convention. At a time when women were not encouraged to pursue a literary career, she succeeded as a writer and published a number of influential works. Her personal life was also remarkable; she was an early advocate of women’s rights and her marriage to Robert Browning was seen as defiant of her family’s wishes.
Today, Browning’s work is still widely read and studied, with her legacy living on in the form of new editions, critical lookings and interpretations. Her work has been adapted for film, television and theatre and she has become an iconic figure in literature.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Influences
Elizabeth Barrett Browning was influenced by a number of literary figures in her life. She was inspired by the works of Wordsworth, Shelley, Keats and Byron, and her work reflects the influence of the Romantic poets. She was also inspired by the works of playwright William Shakespeare, and her poem ‘How Do I Love Thee?’ is a direct homage to his sonnets.
Browning was heavily influenced by her contemporaries as well. She was a friend of Thackeray, Tennyson and the Browning family. Her sonnets are often seen as a homage to her great friend, Elizabeth Gaskell and much of her work is seen as corresponding with that of the other writers of the Victorian period.
Browning also drew much of her inspiration from personal experiences. Her work is riddled with references to her family, her faith and her life in London and Italy. She was a keen observer of the world around her and her writing is often tinged with pathos and compassion for those less fortunate.
Criticism of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Work
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s work has been loved and admired since she published her first book, but it has also attracted criticism. Her work has been perceived as overly sentimental and cloying, with its heavy emphasis on emotion and pathos. Her work has also been seen as lacking in originality and failing to progress women’s poetry in any meaningful way.
Browning’s poetry has also been criticised for its lack of innovation. While her work was highly praised in her own lifetime, her verses are often seen as derivative of poets like Wordsworth and Keats. Her later works, relating to faith and religion, have also been seen as lacking in complexity.
Despite this, Elizabeth Barrett Browning is still remembered as one of the greatest female poets of the 19th century. Her work is deeply rooted in romanticism and has inspired generations of poets. Her work remains influential to this day, with her iconic love sonnets widely admired and widely read.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Critical Reception
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s work was welcomed by her contemporaries and her work was widely praised and read during her lifetime. The publication of Sonnets from the Portuguese received universal acclaim and the work was seen as revolutionary, with its passionate intensity and its embrace of new poetic forms.
Her later works were also well-received, with Aurora Leigh and Other Poems garnering positive reviews and her political verse poem Casa Guidi Windows attracting praise from Karl Marx. Her religious works were met with mixed reviews, with some condemning them for their simplicity and lack of wit.
Today, Browning’s work has experienced a resurgence in popularity, with her love sonnets providing a timeless insight into the complexities of relationships and emotions. Her work remains influential to this day and is seen as part of the pantheon of classical literature.
The Influence of Elizabeth Barrett Browning on Poetry
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poetic output and legacy has made a lasting impression on the world of poetry. Her greatest legacy was her popularisation of the form of the sonnet, which she used in her work to captivate audiences with her powerful verses.
Her work was also revolutionary for the time, demonstrating a shift in the perception of female poets and proving that their work could be just as powerful and expressive as their male counterparts. Her influence can be seen in the works of other female poets, such as Emily Dickinson and Christina Rossetti.
Browning’s influence has extended beyond her own lifetime. Her work has been widely studied and is still admired and celebrated today. Her daring and passionate verse is still widely read and remains as powerful and evocative as ever.
Critical Reception to Elizabeth Barrett Browning Today
The reception to Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s work today is largely positive. Her work is still widely read and studied, with her verses demonstrating a timeless insight into the complexities of human relationships. She is praised for her emotional intensity and her ability to articulate complex emotions with simple and accessible language.
Her work has been adapted for the stage
