Sonnet #43From the Portuguese

By: Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

• Came from a large wealthy family.• Had a set of poems titled “From the

Portuguese”• She made them seem like translations

because it was very rare for a women to write poetry back then.

• She didn’t think she would be respected for writing her own poems, especially ones about love.

1806-1861

Sonnet #43, From the Portuguese

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sightFor the ends of Being in ideal Grace.I love thee to the level of everyday’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely as they turn from Praise.I love thee with passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints!---I love thee with the breath,Smiles, tears, of all my life!---and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

• Get in groups of 2-3, try to find as many literary devices as you can.

• What do you think the theme of the poem is?

Activity

www.petitelapgiraffe.com

Literary Devices:How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and heightMy soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being in ideal Grace.I love thee to the level of everyday’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely as they turn from Praise.I love thee with passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints!---I love thee with the breath,Smiles, tears, of all my life!---and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

Theme

This poem has been taken many different ways:

• Some say this poem was written to her husband, Robert, to express her love for him.

• Others say this was written to express the love she had for her Newfoundland dog.

• It could also be seen as expressing endless love and loving someone even after death.

Modern Connections

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xxxLXQDQKI

“All that I’m after is a life full of laughter, as long as I’m laughing with you. All that still matters is love ever after, after the life we’ve been through.”

The End`