This series of sonnets were from poems Elizabeth Browning wrote during her courtship with Robert Browning. Elizabeth was forbidden by her father to date or marry and I believe the secrecy made it that much more exciting. She recounts each of her first 3 kisses from Robert, almost describing them like a sweet treat that you savor each bite of. "First time he kissed me, he but only kissed the fingers of this hand wherewith I write, and ever since, it grew more clean and white," (p532 1-4) I imagine him holding her hands gently as he brushes her fingers with his lips, unsure of her response since this was the first time.
"The second passed in height the first, and sought the forehead, and half missed, half falling on the hair. O beyond meed!"(7-9) I think "O beyond meed" in today's terms would mean, "Oh my gosh!" It doesn't say whether minutes or days passed before this second kiss, but I can just feel her anticipation and subsequent surprise to know that it could get any better.
"The third upon my lips was folded down in perfect, purple state; since when, indeed, I have been proud and said, 'My love, my own.' "(12-14) At last it seems she has gotten the full effect of his affections. No longer teasingly upon the hands and forehead, he goes in for the lips so passionately that she feels as though her lips are folding down and turning purple. (Well I don't think that's what she meant, but it sounds good to me.:)
And finally she can no longer hold back her feelings and utters that 4 letter word that some men think has a ball and chain attached to it...love. I'm just glad Robert Browning didn't.
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4 comments:
hahaha! I can't help but laugh whenever I read some of these sonnets. You brought out one of my favorite lines and expounded upon it beautifully. You write:"First time he kissed me, he but only kissed the fingers of this hand wherewith I write, and ever since, it grew more clean and white," (p532 1-4) I imagine him holding her hands gently as he brushes her fingers with his lips, unsure of her response since this was the first time." I sounds so...so surreal? He simply kisses her hand and she believes she is already becoming a better person or at least that her hand is becoming more handly(that is a conjugation of hand and comely)??? I just made that up but you get the point. I know the time period in which they lived called for a different form of propriety, but I still have to laugh when I read those lines! I think it is because I am jealous :) Great post!
-kyle
I suppose for someone who lived a sheltered life devoid of any romantic involvement, even the slightest romantic interaction would have a higher value than someone accustomed to it. Good analysis of the sonnets and the kisses.
Sherri,
Good reading of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's love sonnet, and good commentary on the lines you quote.
I liked your analysis of Elizabeth Browning's kisses from Robert. It was beautiful how the kiss on her hand meant more to him than even a ring on her finger. Good explanation of specific quotes in the sonnet. This is one of my favorite poems by Elizabeth Browning!
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