EXPLAIN how these images might represent love.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning Elizabeth Barrett Browning was born in 1806 and (unlike the large majority of Victorian women) was extremely well educated. She wrote poetry from a very young age. Her poems were very popular during her lifetime. In 1846 Elizabeth secretly married fellow poet Robert Browning and around the same time wrote this poem to express her love for her husband. A sonnet is a poem containing 14 lines.

Sonnet 43 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 sight For the ends of Being and 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 a 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. Read the poem. What do you think she might be saying about the love she has for her husband?

These words make us think/imagine/feel… Lines Images These words make us think/imagine/feel…  “I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach.”    The words “depth and breadth and height” remind us of having to travel far. “Depth” reminds us of deep water. “Breadth” makes us think of a wide distance to travel. “Height” makes us think of climbing the highest mountain. “I love thee to the level of everyday's Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.” “I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life!” “and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.”