Sonnets from the Portuguese

Definition

Sonnets from the Portuguese is a collection of 44 sonnets written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, published in 1850. The work is notable for its exploration of love, intimacy, and personal emotion, reflecting Browning's own romantic journey and deep affection for her husband, Robert Browning. This collection is often praised for its lyrical quality and emotional depth, marking a significant contribution to the genre of sonnets in English literature.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sonnets from the Portuguese was written as a personal expression of Barrett Browning's love for Robert Browning, which she initially kept private before deciding to publish them.
2. The collection begins with Sonnet 1 and culminates in Sonnet 44, each sonnet reflecting different stages and emotions in her relationship.
3. The poems showcase a mix of traditional sonnet form with innovative language and imagery, elevating the emotional stakes within each piece.
4. Browning's work broke away from some conventional themes of love poetry by incorporating elements of struggle and vulnerability alongside passionate devotion.
5. The title 'Sonnets from the Portuguese' is said to have been chosen as a way to disguise their intensely personal nature, suggesting they were translations rather than original works.

Review Questions

• How do the sonnets in 'Sonnets from the Portuguese' reflect Elizabeth Barrett Browning's personal experiences with love?
  • 'Sonnets from the Portuguese' reflects Browning's personal experiences through its intimate exploration of her feelings for Robert Browning. Each sonnet encapsulates various emotions ranging from longing and joy to vulnerability and fear, showcasing her evolution as a lover. By writing these sonnets during a time when their relationship was still relatively new and filled with obstacles, Barrett Browning brings authenticity and depth to her poetic expressions.
• In what ways do 'Sonnets from the Portuguese' challenge traditional concepts of love poetry during the Victorian era?
  • 'Sonnets from the Portuguese' challenges traditional concepts of love poetry by emphasizing raw emotion and individual experience rather than idealized notions of love. Unlike many Victorian-era poems that presented romantic love as flawless or solely uplifting, Browning includes themes of struggle, doubt, and longing. This innovative approach allows her to portray love as a complex journey filled with both ecstasy and pain, making her work resonate deeply with readers.
• Evaluate the significance of 'Sonnets from the Portuguese' in the context of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's overall literary contributions and its influence on later poets.
  • 'Sonnets from the Portuguese' holds significant importance in Barrett Browning's literary contributions as it highlights her emotional depth and innovative use of the sonnet form. The collection not only solidified her status as a leading poet of the Victorian era but also inspired future generations of poets to explore personal and emotional themes more candidly. This shift towards sincerity in expressing intimate feelings laid groundwork for later movements such as Modernism, where poets sought to capture genuine human experiences.

Related terms

Sonnet: A poetic form consisting of 14 lines, typically following a specific rhyme scheme and meter, often used to express themes of love and beauty.

Romanticism: An artistic and literary movement that emerged in the late 18th century, emphasizing emotion, individualism, and the beauty of nature, often in contrast to the rationalism of the Enlightenment.

The Brownings: A reference to the literary couple Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning, both prominent poets of the Victorian era whose works often explored themes of love and social issues.