causing a strong emotional or physical response.

giving up something valuable for a higher purpose, often involving personal loss or hardship.

lacks clarity, not easily understood; kept from sight, concealed.

dishonest behaviour, typically for personal gain or to influence others.

the process of getting to know a romantic partner before establishing a romantic relationship.

Understanding the poem ‘Sonnet 29’ by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

English

In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry', pupils compared the language, form and structure of a variety of poems connected by the themes of love and relationships. In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry continued', pupils work on making more nuanced comparisons between poems.

In 'Single Poet Study: Maya Angelou', pupils explore how Angelou uses her poetry to present strong relationships to people and place. In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry', pupils analyse how a variety of different relationships have been presented across time.

Poetry anthology: first study

Depiction or discussion of sex or sexual body parts, including sex education.

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

'Sonnet 29 - I think of thee!' was taken from a collection of poems entitled...

difficult to understand because it has been translated from another language

lacks clarity, not easily understood; kept from sight, concealed

She was forced to return after her father died.

The language barrier made it difficult for her to write poetry.

Following Barrett Browning's courtship with poet Robert Browning, the couple married and eloped to Italy. What were the consequences of this for Barrett Browning?

"I think of thee! - my thoughts do twine and bud"

"Renew thy presence; as a strong tree should"

"I do not think of thee - I am too near thee."

Below are three lines from 'Sonnet 29 - I think of thee!'. One is from the beginning, one from the middle and one from the end. Starting with first, put them into chronological order. 

"I will not have my thoughts instead of thee"

"these bands of greenery which insphere thee"

Which of these quotations from 'Sonnet 29' imply that the speaker's fantasy thought of her love spiral out of control while he is away?

"Rustle thy boughs and set thy trunk all bare"

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

Which of these quotations from 'Sonnet 29' present a positive, uplifting view of love?

Barrett Browning wrote 'Sonnet 29' during the Victorian era. This society was known for being...

giving human characteristics to inanimate objects

comparing two things using 'like' or 'as'

putting two contrasting ideas next to or near to each to emphasise one or both

using concrete objects or actions to represent abstract ideas

when two more consecutive lines of poetry begin with the same word(s)

Sonnets are poems usually written about...

It would be amazing if you could be a little quieter.

If you wouldn't mind, I'd like silence now.

Which of these is an example of an imperative sentence?

Which of these is an example of tentative language?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Understanding the poem ‘Sonnet 29’ by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.