Sonnet 14 from the Portuguese

Author: Elizabeth Barret BrowningAuthor: Elizabeth Barret Browning

Elizabeth Barret Browning She was born on March 6, 1806She was born on March 6, 1806 She was born in Coxhoe Hill Durham , She was born in Coxhoe Hill Durham ,

EnglandEngland Her parents were really wealthy due to her Her parents were really wealthy due to her

family’s land in Jamaicafamily’s land in Jamaica She was home schooled and very studiousShe was home schooled and very studious Her writing is compared to ShakespeareHer writing is compared to Shakespeare

Sonnets from the Portuguese She wrote it in 1850, dedicated to her husband (Robert Browning)She wrote it in 1850, dedicated to her husband (Robert Browning) She wrote it secretly before they got married She wrote it secretly before they got married This was one of her best works, and one of the best works in her This was one of her best works, and one of the best works in her

timetime It was a series of sonnets, a total of 44 It was a series of sonnets, a total of 44 She had to hide her love by changing the title of her poem to She had to hide her love by changing the title of her poem to

Sonnets from the Portuguese , so it looks like she was just Sonnets from the Portuguese , so it looks like she was just translating this from Portuguese translating this from Portuguese

Usually it’s a male writing to women in the Elizabethan Time Usually it’s a male writing to women in the Elizabethan Time Period but this is the opposite.Period but this is the opposite.

What is your definition of loving someone?

LoveLove is an emotion of strong affection and is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. personal attachment.

Loving someone means you love them for Loving someone means you love them for who they are and for love sake. ( not for who they are and for love sake. ( not for looks or pity)looks or pity)

Love is when you admire someone , you Love is when you admire someone , you care for them, you look up to them , and care for them, you look up to them , and you respect them. you respect them.

Read the poem , find the message and theme. If thou must love me, let it be for noughtIf thou must love me, let it be for nought

Except for love’s sake only. Do not sayExcept for love’s sake only. Do not say“I love her for her smile—her look—her way“I love her for her smile—her look—her wayOf speaking gently,—for a trick of thoughtOf speaking gently,—for a trick of thoughtThat falls in well with mine, and certes broughtThat falls in well with mine, and certes broughtA sense of pleasant ease on such a day”A sense of pleasant ease on such a day”

For these things in themselves, Belovèd, mayFor these things in themselves, Belovèd, mayBe changed, or change for thee,and love, so wrought,Be changed, or change for thee,and love, so wrought,May be unwrought so. Neither love me forMay be unwrought so. Neither love me forThine own dear pity’s wiping my cheeks dry,Thine own dear pity’s wiping my cheeks dry,

A creature might forget to weep, who boreA creature might forget to weep, who boreThy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby!Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby!But love me for love’s sake, that evermoreBut love me for love’s sake, that evermoreThou may’st love on, through love’s eternity.Thou may’st love on, through love’s eternity.

Theme

The theme is to love someone for love sake The theme is to love someone for love sake and love’s sake only, not for pity or looks and love’s sake only, not for pity or looks because those wont last and change. Love because those wont last and change. Love sake in love is the only thing that will last sake in love is the only thing that will last for eternity and will not change. The sonnet for eternity and will not change. The sonnet is about how you love someone for love is about how you love someone for love sake that is it sake that is it

Literary devices?

RhymeRhyme Personification Personification AlliterationAlliteration Repitition Repitition

Unique/Modern connections

In Elizabeth’s time, sonnets were generally In Elizabeth’s time, sonnets were generally written about girls by men, however written about girls by men, however Elizabeth wrote about a guy. This was very Elizabeth wrote about a guy. This was very different. The roles were reversed. This is different. The roles were reversed. This is very similar to poetry today. There are a lot very similar to poetry today. There are a lot of literature where women talk about men.of literature where women talk about men.

Modern literature relationship?

Can you think of any modern connections Can you think of any modern connections to this sonnet. Any songs that relate to any to this sonnet. Any songs that relate to any part of the theme? Get together in groups of part of the theme? Get together in groups of 2-3 and the group who wins gets a prize.2-3 and the group who wins gets a prize.