Sonnet 29 – ‘I think of thee’ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Browning As well as being invalided following a serious illness, she had a domineering father who forbade his children from marrying. In 1845 Robert Browning, another poet, began writing to her and they began a secret relationship, which led to their elopement in 1846. They secretly married and fled to Italy where they remained until Elizabeth died in 1861.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning Sonnet 29 is one of a collection of 44 sonnets which Barrett Browning wrote during her courtship to Robert Browning. Browning did not know about the sonnets until after they had married and they weren’t published until 1850. Much like a secret diary, the sonnets contain Barrett Browning’s hidden feelings for Browning. They follow the development of the relationship, so the earlier sonnets in the collection are cautious and show her doubts about whether she was “good” enough for Browning given her personal circumstances, and the later ones express joy that their love is shared and real.

Form and structure Sonnet form – traditionally used for love poetry 14 lines (helpful to remember: 14th Feb!) Rhyming couplet at the end Sonnets follow a Petrarchan form 8 lines followed by 6 lines Begin with a ‘problem’ and end with a solution. Turning point (volta) on the 9th line First reading: What is the problem and solution in this sonnet? Is the ‘turning point’ (volta) too early?

A metaphor that continues throughout a poem Second reading……. Extended Metaphor A metaphor that continues throughout a poem

Exclamation mark -shows the pleasure that she is feeling thinking about him Natural Imagery-her thoughts are focused on him like a vine wraps around a tree. Her thoughts are growing and developing ‘broad’ suggests that their love is extensive – it is growing (like leaves do) I think of thee!—my thoughts do twine and bud About thee, as wild vines, about a tree, Put out broad leaves, and soon there 's nought to see Except the straggling green which hides the wood. Extended metaphor – the narrator is the ‘wild vines’ and her lover is the ‘tree’ – emphasised by the internal rhyme of ‘tree’ and ‘thee’ Suggests the vines are inferior to the tree – her thoughts are inferior to the man itself.

STRUCTURE: Caesura creates a turning point (volta) in the poem Yet, O my palm-tree, be it understood I will not have my thoughts instead of thee Who art dearer, better! Rather, instantly Renew thy presence; as a strong tree should, Imperatives and alliteration (renew, rustle) emphasise how much she wants him to act. Sibilant sounds reflect the rustling of the tree leaves

Possibly an erotic reference The weight of her thoughts shows how much she thinks about him Rustle thy boughs and set thy trunk all bare, And let these bands of greenery which insphere thee Drop heavily down,—burst, shattered, everywhere! Because, in this deep joy to see and hear thee 3 different words to describe the way that his presence replaces her thoughts emphasises her excitement. Continues to be erotic language? STRUCTURE: Caesura contributes to the dramatic effect She wants him to understand how much she enjoys being with him.

‘Thee’ – rhymes him with himself – shows her obsession with him. STRUCTURE: Reversal of the first line highlights the difference between thinking about him and being with him. She doesn’t have to think about when she’s with him. He’s better than anything she is capable of imagining And breathe within thy shadow a new air, I do not think of thee—I am too near thee.  ‘Thee’ – rhymes him with himself – shows her obsession with him.

She longs to be with her lover instead of just thinking about him. Themes Longing Intensity Celebration She longs to be with her lover instead of just thinking about him. She thinks about him all the time when they are apart. Her language is forceful. She is celebrating their love and enjoys thinking about him, and more so when he is with her as a physical presence