Sonnet 29 – 'I think of thee!'

"Sonnet 29 – I Think of Thee!" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Context

• Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a prominent Victorian poet known for her intense and personal love poems, particularly those dedicated to her husband, Robert Browning. This poem, part of her collection "Sonnets from the Portuguese," reflects her deep feelings of love and longing. During this period, poetry often focused on intense emotions and personal experiences, making Browning's work a quintessential example of Victorian romantic poetry.

The Poem

I think of thee! – my thoughts do twine and bud

← Metaphor

About thee, as wild vines, about a tree,

Put out broad leaves, and soon there's nought to see

← Imagery

Except the straggling green which hides the wood.

Yet, O my palm-tree, be it understood

← Simile

I will not have my thoughts instead of thee

Who art dearer, better! Rather, instantly

Renew thy presence; as a strong tree should,

← Imperative

Rustle thy boughs and set thy trunk all bare,

And let these bands of greenery which insphere thee

Drop heavily down,– burst, shattered, everywhere!

← Juxtaposition

Because, in this deep joy to see and hear thee

And breathe within thy shadow a new air,

I do not think of thee – I am too near thee.

5 quotes + analysis to achieve a grade 9

1. Language Device = Metaphor. "I think of thee! – my thoughts do twine and bud / About thee, as wild vines, about a tree"

• Analysis: The metaphor of thoughts "twining" around the lover like "wild vines" suggests an overwhelming and consuming nature of her affection. The comparison highlights the way her thoughts are ever-present and intertwined with her beloved.

2. Language Device = Imagery. "Put out broad leaves, and soon there's nought to see / Except the straggling green which hides the wood."

• Analysis: The imagery of the vines covering the tree represents how her thoughts can obscure her true feelings. This suggests that thinking about her lover is not enough; she yearns for his physical presence.

3. Language Device = Simile. "Yet, O my palm-tree, be it understood / I will not have my thoughts instead of thee"

• Analysis: Referring to her lover as a "palm-tree" symbolises strength and stability. The simile expresses her desire to replace her thoughts with the reality of his presence, valuing his actual company over her imagination.

4. Language Device = Imperative. "Renew thy presence; as a strong tree should, / Rustle thy boughs and set thy trunk all bare"

• Analysis: The imperative verbs "renew" and "rustle" convey a sense of urgency and longing. She commands her lover to be present and to reveal his true self, breaking through the barriers of her thoughts.

5. Language Device = Juxtaposition. "Drop heavily down,– burst, shattered, everywhere!"

• Analysis: The juxtaposition of "drop," "burst," and "shattered" against the earlier serene imagery of vines suggests a dramatic release of pent-up emotions. This conveys the intense relief and joy she feels when reunited with her lover, replacing the tangled thoughts with reality.

Form & Structure Points to Mention for Top Grades

• Petrarchan Sonnet: The poem follows the structure of a Petrarchan sonnet with an octave and a sestet. The volta, or turn, typically occurs at the start of the sestet, signalling a shift in tone or perspective.
  • Effect: This form allows Browning to explore her intense emotions and then resolve them, mirroring the progression from thought to reality.
• Rhyme Scheme: ABBAABBA CDCDCD
  • Effect: The regular rhyme scheme reflects the ordered nature of her thoughts, despite their intensity, and the resolution she finds in her lover's presence.
• Enjambment: The use of enjambment throughout the poem creates a flowing, continuous rhythm.
  • Effect: This mimics the unstoppable nature of her thoughts and feelings, highlighting the depth of her longing and affection.

Example Paragraph for a Grade 9 Answer:

In "Sonnet 29 – I Think of Thee!", Elizabeth Barrett Browning presents the theme of longing through vivid metaphors and imagery. The metaphor "my thoughts do twine and bud / About thee, as wild vines, about a tree" illustrates how her thoughts are inextricably linked to her lover, reflecting an all-consuming desire. The imperative "Renew thy presence" highlights her urgent need for his physical presence, emphasising that her thoughts alone cannot satisfy her longing. The dramatic imagery of "Drop heavily down,– burst, shattered, everywhere!" juxtaposes the earlier serene vine imagery, symbolising the intense emotional release she experiences when reunited with her lover. This vivid portrayal of longing contrasts with the more tranquil satisfaction she feels when he is near, capturing the depth and complexity of her emotions.