The poem that one chose is “How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43). This poem was written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning in 1845 while Robert Browning, an English poet, was courting her. It is part of the “Sonnets from the Portuguese”, which is a collection of 44 love poems written by Elizabeth, with Robert as his inspiration. Sonnet 43 is the most popular love poem of Elizabeth.
One is drawn to this poem because of its universal message, and that is love. Although, there are a plethora of love poems written, one thinks that this poem is one of the most romantic. As one can observe, the phrase “I love thee” is repeated eight times in the 14-line sonnet. Obviously, the author wants to emphasize her love for the other person. Other readers may claim that the poem is repetitive but one thinks that for people in love, having to hear “I love thee” several times is music to one’s ears. The poem is easy to understand despite the figurative language used by the author. One appreciates the different figures of speech in the poem. Simple words are used, yet there is depth in the message it wishes to convey. One likes the poet’s style of starting the poem with a rhetorical question, followed by lines answering the question.
The lines “Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death”, is one’s favorite because it evokes immortal love (Browning, 2012, lines 13-14). It implies that even death cannot diminish nor end one’s love. It is a love that will withstand the tests of time and will endure forever
If one was to interpret this poem, one’s voice will be soft as if whispering to the person one loves. It will be read in a slow manner so that the message will really sink in to the mind and heart of the person to whom the poem is being read.
References
Browning, E. B. (2012). Sonnets from the Portuguese 43: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Retrieved from poetryoutloud.org: http://www.poetryoutloud.org/poem/172998
