EBB Flashcards
What do the Sonnets focus on?
They focus on how love has the power to transform her life as well as her values for love based on Christian idealism
The power of love to transform her life is presented in?
Sonnet 1 as a violent and overwhelming force “Drew me backwards by the hair” it is personified to reinforce that she is powerless to resist the effects of love as well as signifying her journey to find an understanding of herself and her love for Robert Browning
Through EBB’s exploration of self-image… and what does Robert Browning’s love do for her?
She challenges the patriarchal society of the 1800s through assuming the role of the male poet lover. EBB is presented as fulfilling the passive role in Sonnet 32 when she compares her self to “an out of tune/Worn viol” presenting her self as an antiquated instrument alludes to her and ill health - reflects that EBB’s perception of herself is undesirable and old.
However, EBB discovers her love for Robert Browning, gives him the power in the relationship to draw the notes from the viol and draw her spirit from her weak body - emphasising her relationship with Browning she can realize her true potential
What Sonnet form does EBB use and why?
Petrarchan sonnet structure to constrain her overwhelming feelings of love; EBB changes the patterns of beats in Sonnet 21 “Say again and yet again…” to show her overflowing emotions.
What do EBB’s sonnet function as?
Emotional outlet for her ideal love for Robert Browning. The necessity of love for fulfilment, leads to EBB to come reliant on Robert Browning’s words of love In Sonnet 21 “Say again and yet again that thou does love me.” Repetition of again emphasises her need for his love.
Her love is furthermore heightened?
Anaphor of “I love thee” which carries over from the octave to the sestet of the Sonnet 43 - unity of the argument and emphasises the certainty of her feelings
Unlike The Great Gatsby
Where love fro materialism is stronger than ideal love, love for EBB is spiritual, internal and involving the incorporation of two souls into one. This reflects the religious certainties of EBB and the context of the era.
EBB reflects her value of?
The importance of religion during the Victorian era, through the idea of God’s purpose working in her life, “as if God’s future had thundered on my past” in Sonnet 27.
EBB amplifies her love…
Making it seem more genuine and real, she expresses her love in Sonnet 43 “I love thee to the depths, breadths and heights that my soul can reach” Iambs emphasises death, breadth and height reciting the volume formula to show that it is a product of her rationality
EBB Believes that faith underpins her love for Browning
If possible she will love him for eternity “and if God choose/I shall but love thee better after death” shows that EBB accepts the Christian notion of Heaven and its perfection.
