Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Sonnet 22" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a part of her famous collection of love sonnets, "Sonnets from the Portuguese." It is a romantic poem that expresses the depth and intensity of the speaker's love for her beloved. Poetic Essential Elements:

• Form: Petrarchan sonnet
• Rhyme scheme: ABBA ABBA CDC DCD
• Tone: Romantic, passionate
• Imagery: The poem is full of vivid and sensual imagery that evokes the intensity of the speaker's love. For example, "I love thee to the depth and breadth and height / My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight," and "I love thee with a love I seemed to lose / With my lost saints."

In "Sonnet 22," the speaker continues to express her love for her beloved, but she also acknowledges the limitations of her love. She says that her love is like a flickering candle, which may be blown out by the slightest breeze. She also says that her love may not be strong enough to survive in the face of obstacles, such as time, distance, or death. Despite these limitations, however, the speaker's love remains strong and true, and she vows to love her beloved until the end of time.

Overall, "Sonnet 22" is a beautiful and passionate expression of love that captures the depth and intensity of the speaker's feelings. Through its vivid imagery and powerful language, the poem conveys the enduring nature of true love, even in the face of adversity.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...