Comparing Sonnets
by Lillian Bonar
Essay: Comparing Sonnets
Pages: 11
Rating: 3 stars
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• Comparing Sonnets.doc
Both Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barret Browning and Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare delve into the passion of
fervent love. In many ways these two sonnets can be compared and contrasted based upon poetic devices such as
word choice, figurative language, and imagery.
The word choice in Sonnet 43 and Sonnet 116 can be compared as well as contrasted, based on the way the
words are used, and also the types of words the authors both Browning, as well as Shakespeare have chosen. In
Sonnet 43, Browning uses words similar to the words Shakespeare chose. For example in line two "I love Thee to
the depth and breadth and height" the words "Thee" and "breadth" are not common words used in everyday
English. "Thee" used here seems to mean 'you', and "breadth" to mean 'width'. This would make the line translate
to "I love you to the depth and width and height." The words Browning chooses to use help express exactly how
deep and long the love is. In sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare the word choice, as in Browning's Sonnet 43, also
uses words that are not common to everyday conversations in the English language. For example Shakespeare
uses "impediments" and "tempests" in place of the common words "obstructions" and "disturbances" or "flaws"
his choice or words for his sonnet help to show the serious tone, and show that his lesson on love is important.
The figurative language in both sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barret Browning and Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare,
can be compared and contrasted based on what different types of figurative language is used in both poems. In
Shakespeare's sonnet 116 the first sign of figurative language is introduced in lines five through eight, "O no! It is
an ever-fixed mark that looks on ...
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