How Do I Love Thee Rhyme Scheme

How Do I Love Thee? Deconstructing the Rhyme Scheme of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Iconic Sonnet

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "How Do I Love Thee?" (also known as "Sonnet 43") is arguably one of the most famous and beloved sonnets in the English language. Its enduring appeal lies not only in its passionate declaration of love but also in its masterful use of rhyme and rhythm. This exploration will delve deep into the poem's rhyme scheme, analyzing its structure, impact, and the sophisticated techniques Browning employs to create a powerful and moving expression of love.

Understanding the Sonnet Form

Before diving into the rhyme scheme specifically, it's crucial to understand the sonnet form itself. "How Do I Love Thee?" follows the Shakespearean (or English) sonnet structure. This consists of 14 lines written in iambic pentameter (a rhythm pattern of five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables per line) and divided into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). This structure provides a natural framework for the progression of Browning's thoughts and feelings.

The Rhyme Scheme: ABBA CDDC EFEF GG

The hallmark of a Shakespearean sonnet is its rhyme scheme: ABBA CDDC EFEF GG. Let's break this down line by line:

• Quatrain 1 (ABBA): The first four lines establish the vastness and depth of the speaker's love. The rhyming pattern subtly mirrors this immensity; it doesn't simply follow a rigid pattern but has a certain ebb and flow, reflecting the emotional tide of the speaker's love. The internal rhyme and subtle slant rhymes (near rhymes) also contribute to the overall feeling of depth and complexity.

• Quatrain 2 (CDDC): Here, the focus shifts. The love is no longer merely described; it's quantified and explored through various aspects of life. The repetition of "C" at the end of lines 6 and 8 is a deliberate artistic choice creating a sense of rhythm and reinforcing the theme of the speaker's expansive love.

• Quatrain 3 (EFEF): This section intensifies the emotional impact. The speaker shifts from quantifiable expressions to more spiritual and abstract declarations of love. Notice how the rhyming couples, “E” and “F,” draw the reader’s attention towards the intensity of these expressions and reinforce the idea that love is all-encompassing. The rhyme scheme enhances the emotional power, mirroring the building intensity of the declaration.

• Couplet (GG): The final couplet provides a powerful and concise conclusion. The perfect rhyme of "soul" and "whole" brings the sonnet to a satisfying and emotionally resonant close, emphasizing the complete and total nature of the speaker's love. This concluding couplet acts as a final affirmation, tying all the previous lines together and resonating long after the poem's conclusion.

Beyond the Basic Scheme: Exploring Nuances

Browning's genius in "How Do I Love Thee?" lies not just in the adherence to the Shakespearean rhyme scheme, but in the subtle nuances and variations she weaves into it.

1. Slant Rhyme (Near Rhyme): Adding Depth and Complexity

While the poem predominantly uses perfect rhymes, Browning cleverly employs slant rhyme (also known as near rhyme or half rhyme) in several instances. This creates a sense of ambiguity and enhances the emotional depth. These near rhymes are not perfectly identical but share similar sounds, adding to the complexities of the speaker's feelings.

2. Internal Rhyme: Enriching the Musicality

Browning expertly uses internal rhyme within lines, creating a rich musicality and further enhancing the rhythmic flow. These internal rhymes subtly reinforce the overall feeling of the poem, enriching the experience and adding a layer of complexity that elevates the poem beyond mere simplicity.

3. Enjambment: Building Tension and Momentum

The strategic use of enjambment (the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause) further contributes to the poem's emotional impact. By carrying the thought over line breaks, Browning creates suspense and keeps the reader engaged in the speaker's continuous expression of love.

The Impact of the Rhyme Scheme on Meaning

The carefully crafted rhyme scheme isn't just a structural element; it's integral to the poem's meaning. The tightly controlled structure of the sonnet, coupled with the thoughtful and complex use of the rhyme scheme, reflects the speaker's profound and well-considered love. The ebb and flow of the rhymes mirror the intensity and depth of the speaker's emotions.

The sonnet's rhyme scheme embodies the feeling of completeness, mirroring the speaker’s assertion that their love encompasses every aspect of their being. The perfect rhyme of the concluding couplet serves as a final, resounding statement of unwavering affection. The use of rhyme and rhythm is not a mere decorative element but a powerful tool employed to deepen the reader's understanding of the poem's emotional core.

Comparing to Other Sonnet Forms

It's interesting to compare Browning's use of the Shakespearean rhyme scheme to other sonnet forms, such as the Petrarchan (or Italian) sonnet. The Petrarchan sonnet uses a different rhyme scheme (ABBAABBA CDECDE or ABBAABBA CDCDCD), leading to a different overall feeling. The Shakespearean sonnet's rhyme scheme, with its interwoven patterns and concluding couplet, allows for a more direct and emotionally charged resolution. Browning's choice to use the Shakespearean form perfectly suits the directness and passionate intensity of her declaration of love.

Analyzing the Poem Line by Line (with Rhyme Scheme Focus)

Let's analyze a few key lines to highlight the rhyme scheme's impact:

• Line 1: "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." – The opening line immediately establishes the central theme and sets the stage for the detailed exploration of love that follows. The enjambment into the second line continues the feeling of boundless love.

• Line 4: "I love thee to the depth and breadth and height" - The alliterative "depth and breadth and height" create an internal rhyme and emphasizes the immensity of the love. The use of parallel structure further reinforces the expansive nature of the speaker's feelings.

• Line 8: "My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight" - This line, with its perfect rhyme with line 6, solidifies the connection between the speaker's soul and the depths of her love. The internal rhyme in the line itself adds to the lyrical quality.

• Line 14: "My love increases ever more and more." - The final line, perfectly rhyming with the previous line and acting as a strong conclusion, emphasizes the ever-growing and unending nature of her love.

The Enduring Legacy of the Rhyme Scheme

The rhyme scheme of "How Do I Love Thee?" is not simply a structural device; it is a crucial element that contributes significantly to the poem's power and beauty. The seemingly simple pattern – ABBA CDDC EFEF GG – becomes a complex tapestry of sound and rhythm, mirroring the depth and complexity of the speaker's profound love. Its enduring appeal stems from Browning's masterful manipulation of the rhyme scheme, creating a poem that remains emotionally resonant and technically brilliant. The effectiveness of this rhyme scheme, in its combination with iambic pentameter and other poetic devices, remains a testament to Browning's skill and continues to inspire poets and readers alike. The poem stands as a powerful example of how a well-chosen and carefully executed rhyme scheme can elevate a poem to iconic status. It's not just how she loves him that resonates, but how she expresses it, through the elegant structure and powerful musicality of her chosen rhyme scheme.