Analysing 'Sonnet 43'
I can understand how Barrett Browning uses language, form and structure to present her love as bountiful.
Analysing 'Sonnet 43'
I can understand how Barrett Browning uses language, form and structure to present her love as bountiful.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Barrett Browning wrote this poem to her future husband to express her deep love for him.
- Barrett Browning begins the poem by expressing her love in a more abstract and unquantifiable way.
- In the sestet, Barrett Browning finds more personal and specific ways to express (and measure) her love.
- The image of a sun arguably represents the idea that her lover brings warmth, light, sustenance and purpose to her life.
- Barrett Browning’s use of imagery conveys her admiration for, and adoration of her future husband.
Keywords
To liberate - to set something free
Unquantifiable - impossible to measure
Bountiful - abundant and endless
To evoke - to make someone imagine or feel something
Defiant - a refusal to obey somebody or something
Common misconception
Pupils often fail to notice or appreciate how defiant this poem is at the end.
In saying that she will love her future husband "better" after death, Barrett Browning defies her father and any cosmic force which may try to prevent the couple from being together. Barrett Browning's passion and commitment to Browning is evident.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Analysing 'Sonnet 43', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Analysing 'Sonnet 43', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the Poetry anthology unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
introduces an idea, problem, question or an argument
responds to the questions or ideas introduced in the beginning
marks a shift in tone in the poem