Sonnet 29 - ‘I think of thee!” - Quotes + Context Flashcards
What type of sonnet is used here? How is this different from the norm and how does this present the poem?
This is a Petrarchan sonnet of 14 lines, made from an octet (8 lines) and a sestet (6 lines) and the Volta occurs at the end of the 8th and beginning of the 9th line. In this sonnet, the Volta is at the 7th line, indicating the break of societal norms shown in the poem.
Finish the quotation and explain its significance - “my thoughts do _____ and ___ about thee, as wild _____, about a ____.”
Twine, bud, vines, tree. This shows how the speaker feels she is overwhelming her partner as he isn’t putting in effort to the relationship and she is doing all of the work, implying he needs to fulfil his masculine responsibilities. This breaks societal norms as it isn’t normal for a woman to demand things of the man.
Finish the quotation and explain its significance - “O my ____-tree”.
Palm, this has connotations of being someone’s shelter or shade and also that, in the bible, palm trees are associated with righteousness and therefore he is being portrayed as righteous.
Finish the quotation and explain its significance - “Renew thy ________ ; as any strong ____ should.”
Presence, tree. This shows her demanding nature and how she is pressuring him to become more masculine and play a more important role in their relationship, this breaks societal norms as she is meant to be more submissive towards him.
Finish the quotation and explain its significance - “set thy ____ all bare.”
Trunk, this implies that she feels she is too passionate in the relationship and that perhaps he is weak and needs to become stronger. Perhaps this love is unrequited because of this.
Finish the quotation - “Breathe within thy _______.”
Shadow, this quotation indicates that that, despite her seemingly breaking societal norms, she is still in the man’s shadow in love and perhaps hints that going against society is futile.
What could the number 29 possibly indicate about the couple?
The number 2 represents change and the number 9 represents ambition, so perhaps this could be a metaphor for her desire for him to be more loving towards him and could be seen as an example of unrequited love.
Why does the poem refer back to ‘I think of thee’ ?
It represents a cyclical nature in love and that societal norms will always remain constant, perhaps indicating that their problem wasn’t solved.
What is a “fallen” woman?
A woman that had sinned or fallen from God’s grace, perhaps they had a partner before marriage.
Who did Byron have an affair with who is referenced in the poem? What was this viewed as at the time and why?
Lady Frances Webster, she was already married and this was scandalous.
Who wrote Sonnet 29?
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
How is love presented in Sonnet 29?
Love in the poem is intense, passionate and full of desire showing the depth of the love between the two.
How is the relationship presented in Sonnet 29?
The relationship is strong due to the depth of love but there is a hint that the distance is a problem.
What is the structure of Sonnet 29?
It is a sonnet, 14 lines with a Volta in the middle?
What type of Sonnet is Sonnet 29?
A petrarchan sonnet where a problem is showed and then a solution is given.
