‘Sonnet 29: I think of thee!’ by Elizabeth Barratt Browning
Meaning and interpretation
Match the quotations with the possible meaning and interpretation.
Quotations
‘I think of thee!’
‘twine and bud’, ‘wild vines’
‘a strong tree’
‘Put out broad leaves, and
soon there’s nought to see.’
‘the straggling green which
hides the wood’
‘O my palm-tree’
‘I will not have my thoughts
instead of thee / Who art
dearer, better!’
‘Renew thy presence’
‘Rustle thy boughs and set
thy trunk all bare’, ‘Let
these bands … which
insphere thee / Drop down’
‘burst, shattered,
everywhere!’
‘deep joy to see and hear
thee’
‘breathe within thy shadow a
new air’
‘I do not think of thee – I am
too near thee’
© www.teachit.co.uk 2017
Possible meaning and interpretation
The narrator asks Robert to break himself free from her
thoughts by being in her presence. The extended tree
metaphor emphasises the natural beauty she sees in Robert
and her increase in desire. Surrounding in a sphere; eternity.
Elizabeth’s thoughts of Robert in his absence. The natural
imagery emphasises the uncontrollable force of her thoughts
for Robert.
Elizabeth has little regard for her thoughts on Robert’s arrival.
Harsh consonants represent the temporary/fragile nature of
her thoughts which, although built up over time, will vanish on
Robert’s arrival.
Robert Browning in his wife’s eyes. Elizabeth sees Robert as
strong, masculine, beautiful and life-giving.
The speaker’s thoughts of her husband grow in density and
strength with the passing of time. The extended metaphor of
the tree/vines represents the growing longing/intensity of the
speaker’s passion in her husband’s absence.
The speaker’s thoughts can never substitute Robert himself.
The repeated comparatives and exclamation mock the
possibility that her thoughts could ever replace her lover’s
presence.
Elizabeth wants to remain overshadowed by Robert so that she
no longer has to think of, and long for, him. The caesura
creates a dramatic pause in the lead up to her final
announcement that being close to Robert will free her of her
longing so she can find harmony in his presence.
The narrator asks Robert to face her. The imperative shows the
narrator’s demanding and assertive nature in asking him to
return.
The speaker and her lover are apart. The exclamation could
show the excitement in her anticipation of his imminent
arrival.
Elizabeth feels comfort in Robert’s presence, (under the shade
of the tree). Elizabeth feels reenergised and also safe in
Robert’s presence. She is willing to remain overshadowed by
him and by the force/power of his love.
Shows Elizabeth’s playful affection towards Robert. The
rhetoric apostrophe adds a humorous tone; it feels almost like
a private joke between the two of them.
Elizabeth’s intense longing overshadows Robert himself. It is
ironic that her thoughts overpower the one thing that allows
them growth. ‘Straggling’ implies unkempt/untidy.
The speaker’s world is a better place with Robert in it. The
monosyllables show the simplicity of Elizabeth’s needs to be
physically close to her beloved.
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Page 1 of 2
‘Sonnet 29: I think of thee!’ by Elizabeth Barratt Browning
Meaning and interpretation
Teacher’s answers
Quotations
‘I think of thee!’
‘twine and bud’, ‘wild vines’
‘a strong tree’
‘Put out broad leaves, and
soon there’s nought to see.’
‘the straggling green which
hides the wood’
‘O my palm-tree’
‘I will not have my thoughts
instead of thee / Who art
dearer, better!’
‘Renew thy presence’
‘Rustle thy boughs and set
thy trunk all bare’, ‘Let
these bands … which
insphere thee / Drop down’
‘burst, shattered,
everywhere!’
‘deep joy to see and hear
thee’
‘breathe within thy shadow a
new air’
‘I do not think of thee – I am
too near thee’
© www.teachit.co.uk 2017
Possible meaning and interpretation
The speaker and her lover are apart. The exclamation could
show the excitement in her anticipation of his imminent
arrival.
Elizabeth’s thoughts of Robert in his absence. The natural
imagery emphasises the uncontrollable force of her thoughts
for Robert.
Robert Browning in his wife’s eyes. Elizabeth sees Robert as
strong, masculine, beautiful and life-giving.
The speaker’s thoughts of her husband grow in density and
strength with the passing of time. The extended metaphor of
the tree/vines represents the growing longing/intensity of the
speaker’s passion in her husband’s absence.
Elizabeth’s intense longing overshadows Robert himself. It is
ironic that her thoughts overpower the one thing that allows
them growth. ‘Straggling’ implies unkempt/untidy.
Shows Elizabeth’s playful affection towards Robert. The
rhetoric apostrophe adds a humorous tone; it feels almost like
a private joke between the two of them.
The speaker’s thoughts can never substitute Robert himself.
The repeated comparatives and exclamation mock the
possibility that her thoughts could ever replace her lover’s
presence.
The narrator asks Robert to face her. The imperative shows the
narrator’s demanding and assertive nature in asking him to
return.
The narrator asks Robert to break himself free from her
thoughts by being in her presence. The extended tree
metaphor emphasises the natural beauty she sees in Robert
and her increase in desire. Surrounding in a sphere; eternity.
Elizabeth has little regard for her thoughts on Robert’s arrival.
Harsh consonants represent the temporary/fragile nature of
her thoughts which, although built up over time, will vanish on
Robert’s arrival.
The speaker’s world is a better place with Robert in it. The
monosyllables show the simplicity of Elizabeth’s needs to be
physically close to her beloved.
Elizabeth feels comfort in Robert’s presence, (under the shade
of the tree). Elizabeth feels reenergised and also safe in
Robert’s presence. She is willing to remain overshadowed by
him and by the force/power of his love.
Elizabeth wants to remain overshadowed by Robert so that she
no longer has to think of, and long for, him. The caesura
creates a dramatic pause in the lead up to her final
announcement that being close to Robert will free her of her
longing so she can find harmony in his presence.
26767
Page 2 of 2