Browning, Elizabeth. "How do I love thee".

Summary

- the speaker answers her rhetorical question and counts the ways in which she loves

- loves in all the dimensions her soul can reach, in each moment of each day and night, etc.

- in her love finds the faith she thought was lost in the process of losing her former ideals

- loves freely, purely, and passionately: if God chooses, she will love even more after death

Analysis

- a movingly sincere love sonnet

- suggests the many dimensions and many different aspects of love

- presents her love as the ultimate fulfilment of her life

- at the same time shows respect for God's will (leaves it up to Him whether she will be allowed to keep on loving after her death)