How Do I Love Thee? by Elizabeth Barrett Browning Questions and Answers | Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s ‘How Do I Love Thee?’ Questions Answered (Sonnet 43 Study Guide) | How do I love thee MCQ
1) What is the sense of the expression “-they turn from Praise “?
Ans. This shows that sincere, honest people avoid flattery and false praise, steering clear of insincere compliments.
2) Who is the presumed speaker in the poem?
Ans. The speaker is presumed to be Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
3) From what sonnet series How do I love Thee is taken? How many sonnets are there in that sonnet sequence?
Ans. “How do I Love Thee” is the 43rd sonnet from the series called Sonnets from the Portuguese, which has a total of 44 sonnets.
4) What is the sense of the expression “The ends of Being and ideal Grace”?
Ans. In this sonnet, the phrase refers to the ultimate purpose of life and the ideal of divine grace—two fundamental aspects of human existence.
5) What is the meaning of “passion” in line nine?
Ans. Here, “passion” means intensity or strong emotion.
6) What are the last six lines in this type of poem called?
Ans. They are called the sestet.
7) Mention a line in the poem which may be considered a form of fore- shadowing?
Ans. The line “I shall but love thee better after death” is an example of foreshadowing.
8) Who may be considered an antagonist in the poem?
Ans. God might be seen as the antagonist since He ultimately decides whether the speaker’s love will continue into the afterlife.
9) What is the sense of the expression “everyday’s most quiet need”?
Ans. It means the simple, everyday necessities of life, and also hints at the quiet, mutual love shared by lovers in the routine of daily life.
10) What is the sense of the expression “-sun and candlelight”?
Ans. In the poem, “sun” and “candlelight” symbolize day and night, representing the cycle of daily life from the busy daylight to the calm night.
11) Who is the presumed subject of the poem?
Ans. The poem is believed to be addressed to Robert Browning.
12) What type of poem is this?
Ans. It is a Petrarchan sonnet.
13) Which figure of speech is “I love thee freely, as men strive for right” an example of?
Ans. That line is a simile.
14) What does the metaphor of light in the poem represent?
Ans. The light symbolizes the passing of time, spirituality, and vitality.
15) What are the first eight lines in the sonnet called?
Ans. They are known as an octet.
16) How many lines are in a sonnet?
Ans. A sonnet has 14 lines.
17) To whom does “thee” refer?
Ans. In this poem, “thee” refers to the speaker’s lover, Robert Browning.
18) Of which figure of speech is “Depth and breadth” an example?
Ans. It is an example of assonance.
19) What is the meaning of “right” in line seven?
Ans. In this context, “right” means righteousness and good actions.
20) Give an example of personification in the poem.
Ans. The phrase “My soul can reach” is an example of personification.
21) Of which figure of speech is “I love thee with a love I seemed to lose” an example?
Ans. It is an example of hyperbole.
22) What does the phrase “lost saints” likely refer?
Ans. It probably refers to the lost reverence or faith in saintly or significant religious figures.
23) In which era was this poem written?
Ans. It was written during the Victorian era.
24) What does “childhood faith” most likely refer to?
Ans. It likely means the pure, innocent belief that a child has in a power or something greater than himself.
25) What does “turn” mean in line eight?
Ans. In this line, “turn” means to resist.