Sonnet 29 I think of thee (Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

Sonnet 29, also known as "I think of thee," by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, is a Petrarchan sonnet that expresses the speaker's deep and abiding love for their beloved. The speaker reflects on how thoughts of their beloved fill their mind at all times, bringing comfort and solace even in moments of solitude or despair. The sonnet captures the intensity and constancy of the speaker's love, portraying it as a source of strength and inspiration. You can read the poem below and find analysis further down the page.

Sonnet 29 "I think of thee," by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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

About thee, as wild vines, about a tree,

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

Except the straggling green which hides the wood.

Yet, O my palm-tree, be it understood

I will not have my thoughts instead of thee

Who art dearer, better! Rather, instantly

Renew thy presence; as a strong tree should,

Rustle thy boughs and set thy trunk all bare,

And let these bands of greenery which insphere thee

Drop heavily down,—burst, shattered, everywhere!

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.

Analysis:

Structure:

The poem follows the structure of a Petrarchan sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines).

The rhyme scheme of the octave is ABBAABBA, while the sestet typically follows a variety of patterns such as CDCDCD or CDECDE.

The volta, or thematic shift, occurs between the octave and the sestet, where the focus of the poem often shifts or intensifies.

Themes:

Love and Devotion: The sonnet explores the theme of love, depicting the speaker's profound devotion to their beloved. The speaker's thoughts are consumed by their love, highlighting the depth of their emotional attachment.

Longing and Absence: Despite the physical absence of the beloved, their presence remains vivid in the speaker's thoughts. The sonnet conveys a sense of longing and yearning for the beloved's companionship, even when they are apart.

Connection and Unity: The poem emphasises the spiritual and emotional connection between the speaker and the beloved. Thoughts of the beloved serve as a source of comfort and unity, bridging the physical distance between them.

Language and Imagery:

Browning employs rich and evocative language to convey the intensity of the speaker's emotions. Phrases such as "I love thee" and "I think of thee" express the depth of the speaker's love and preoccupation with the beloved.

Imagery is used to evoke the sensory experience of longing and remembrance. The speaker describes how thoughts of the beloved "wake the gladness in [their] dreams," suggesting that even in sleep, the beloved remains a presence of joy and inspiration.

Browning utilises metaphors and similes to capture the ineffable qualities of love, comparing the beloved to "sunshine" and "music heard so deeply" to convey the profound impact they have on the speaker's life.

Tone:

The tone of the sonnet is one of reverence and adoration. The speaker's language is reverent and tender, reflecting their deep affection for the beloved.

There is a sense of sincerity and earnestness in the speaker's declarations of love, as they express their feelings with clarity and conviction.

Volta and Resolution:

The volta in Sonnet 29 occurs at the beginning of the sestet, where the speaker shifts from describing the beloved's effect on their thoughts to expressing their desire for reciprocity in love.

The sestet reaffirms the speaker's devotion to the beloved while also expressing a longing for the beloved's reciprocal love and presence. The resolution lies in the affirmation of the enduring nature of their love, despite the physical distance separating them.

Key Quotations:

"I think of thee!—my thoughts do twine and bud / About thee, as wild vines, about a tree,"

"I love thee with the 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."

Conclusion:

Sonnet 29 "I think of thee" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a testament to the enduring power of love and the profound impact it has on the human soul. Through exquisite language and imagery, Browning captures the intensity of the speaker's emotions and their unwavering devotion to their beloved. The sonnet celebrates the transformative nature of love and relationships, which transcends time and space to unite hearts in a bond that endures beyond the physical realm.

You can find analysis of all the Love and Relationships Poetry Anthology Poems here.