I have an explication due tomorrow for this sonnet by Elizabeth Barrett Browning,

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints -- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! -- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

I have to explain how imagery and metaphors contribute to the overall meaning of the poem. I'm having a really time doing this. If anyone could help out, even a little, it would be greatly appreciated.

There is a great discussion of the poem here:

[tinyurl.com]


Les



Post Edited (11-09-04 20:59)

>how imagery and metaphors contribute ...

The purpose of metaphor is to draw attention to similarities or relationships between two or more things or ideas that may not be immediately apparent.

The purpose of imagery is to help the reader visualize things or ideas suggested by the author in the poem.

try asking your bff's for sum help