Sonnet 29 (P) Flashcards
Exposition
“my thoughts do twine and bud about thee, as wild vines, about a tree”
A01:
The author Elizabeth Barrett Browning describes her love for her soon to be husband Robert Browning (the author of Porphyria’s lover).
A02:
Intertwining verb “twine” suggest images of sex with bodies interlocking together
Natural lexical field “twine” “bud” “vines”“ tree” suggest their relationship is powerful and natural needed and accepted unlike their relationship in reality
A03:
May want to explore the frustration of being away from your partner and having to keep it a secret
Her father refused for her to be married so she fantasises instead
Pepper
“I think of thee!”
Religiously intimate language “Thee”
The word went out of fashion in the 17th century – 200 years before the poem was written – but was still widely used in religion and churches
Her love is timeless and sacred but IAAI it suggests she sees him as more of a god to be worshipped
Mid-point
“see thy trunk all bare (…) /Drop heavily down, - burst, shattered, everywhere!”
A01:
The poem becomes more sexual
A02:
Deeper meaning: sexual – get naked! and evocative of sexual climax. What Browning wants to do to Robert.
Exposing adjective “bare” it is vulnerable and shows their deeper lives and trust for each other
Erupting verbs “burst and shattered” connotes a more sexual climax referring to Robert after they have had theoretical sex.
A03:
Unusual for a woman to write about these things in the 1800s
Denouement
“I do not think of thee – I am too near thee.”
A01:
Browning finally reflects on her feelings and admits she cannot think when she is around her partner
A02:
Structural echo of start – from distant to close; affirming and suggesting that peace is restored after they have come together
Simple pure monosyllables – feelings of relief, satisfaction, reverence; slows pace she’s to distracted when she is “near” to him.
A03:
Sonnet 29 is a personal poem written to Robert Browning as Elizabeth writes to him in secret she longs to be “near” him but has to fantasise and write about it instead.
