Prompt 01
"Sonnet 29: I Think of Thee" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
AP LiteratureIB Language & LiteratureAQACommon Core Ela
In "Sonnet 29: I Think of Thee," Elizabeth Barrett Browning explores how the speaker's intense thoughts about her beloved eventually yield to the actual, living presence of him. In a well-structured essay, argue how Browning employs poetic structure, figurative language, and the volta to illustrate that the physical presence of a loved one outweighs even the most fervent mental imagery. Provide specific evidence from the poem to back up your argument, and discuss how the sonnet form itself enhances the emotional shift experienced by the speaker.
Guiding Questions to Consider
- How does the extended metaphor of the vine and the tree develop the speaker's relationship with her beloved?
- Where does the poem's turn (volta) occur, and what change in tone or meaning does it indicate?
- What does the speaker's plea — that the beloved "renew" his presence — imply about the limitations of imagination compared to reality?
- How do Browning's use of imperative verbs in the sestet alter the interaction between speaker and beloved?
Requirements
- Craft a clear, arguable thesis in your introduction.
- Use at least three pieces of textual evidence with thorough analysis (not just quotes).
- Discuss the poem's structure (Petrarchan/Italian sonnet) as part of your argument.
- Suggested length: 4–6 paragraphs.