sonet 43

Question 1

what family died at a young age and how and what was a result of the death

Answer 1

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s brother drowned at a young age and as a result her father was very
over-protective.

Question 2

what did her father do when she married robert browning

Answer 2

Elizabeth’s Barrett Browning’s father disinherited her after she married Robert Browning.

Question 3

what does The opening line ‘How do I love thee?’ suggests

Answer 3

suggests an intimate conversation between lovers.

Question 4

what does ‘Depth’, ‘breadth’ and ‘height’ are weighty concepts which suggest

Answer 4

suggest her love is comprehensive and

allows her to reach impossible extremes.

Question 5

what does ‘lost saints’ mean

Answer 5

Replaced her faith in God with her love for her husband

Question 6

what does Final words – ‘I love thee better after death’ suggests

Answer 6

suggests even death will not part them. Their love is

eternal.

Question 7

Browning uses repetition of ‘ I love thee’. what did this sound similar to

Answer 7

Browning uses repetition of ‘ I love thee’. This sounds similar to a prayer so therefore she could be
praying/hoping that someday they will be able to be together.

Question 8

what does she reference throughout the poem

Answer 8

references to her love being limitless and she also

reinforces this at the end in the last line ‘I shall but love thee more after death.’

Question 9

what is not traditional about the sonnet and what could this show

Answer 9

Sonnet 43 is the length of a traditional sonnet (14 lines) but doesn’t follow the traditional sonnet
rhyme scheme. There are rhyming couplets yet the poem avoids a perfect rhyme scheme. Perhaps
this reflects their relationship – unconventional but with close unity

Question 10

what are the 3 poem links and themes

Answer 10

Relationships and love – Cozy Apologia, Valentine and She Walks in Beauty.