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How Do I Love Thee?
"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..."
'Sonnet 43', better known as 'How Do I Love Thee?', is a classic romantic poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and one of her most recognized poems. It was written circa 1845–1846, and first published within Barrett's collection of 44 love poems titled 'Sonnets from the Portuguese' (1850).
Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861) was one of the most respected British poets of the Victorian era. She wrote poetry from around the age of six and this was compiled by her mother, comprising what is now one of the largest collections extant of juvenilia by any English writer. She met great success thanks to her volume 'Poems' (1844), and is now remembered for such poems as 'How Do I Love Thee?'/'Sonnet 43' (1845) and 'Aurora Leigh' (1856). Currently, her most popular work is 'Sonnets from the Portuguese' (1850).
'Sonnet 43', better known as 'How Do I Love Thee?', is a classic romantic poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and one of her most recognized poems. It was written circa 1845–1846, and first published within Barrett's collection of 44 love poems titled 'Sonnets from the Portuguese' (1850).
Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861) was one of the most respected British poets of the Victorian era. She wrote poetry from around the age of six and this was compiled by her mother, comprising what is now one of the largest collections extant of juvenilia by any English writer. She met great success thanks to her volume 'Poems' (1844), and is now remembered for such poems as 'How Do I Love Thee?'/'Sonnet 43' (1845) and 'Aurora Leigh' (1856). Currently, her most popular work is 'Sonnets from the Portuguese' (1850).
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First published January 1, 1845
About the author
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
1,037 books722 followersElizabeth Barrett Browning was one of the most respected poets of the Victorian era.
Born in County Durham, the eldest of 12 children, Browning was educated at home. She wrote poetry from around the age of six and this was compiled by her mother, comprising what is now one of the largest collections extant of juvenilia by any English writer. At 15 Browning became ill, suffering from intense head and spinal pain for the rest of her life, rendering her frail. She took laudanum for the pain, which may have led to a lifelong addiction and contributed to her weak health.
In the 1830s Barrett's cousin John Kenyon introduced her to prominent literary figures of the day such as William Wordsworth, Mary Russell Mitford, Samuel Taylor Coleridge; Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and Thomas Carlyle. Browning's first adult collection The Seraphim and Other Poems was published in 1838. During this time she contracted a disease, possibly tuberculosis, which weakened her further. Living at Wimpole Street, in London, Browning wrote prolifically between 1841 and 1844, producing poetry, translation and prose. She campaigned for the abolition of slavery and her work helped influence reform in child labour legislation. Her prolific output made her a rival to Tennyson as a candidate for poet laureate on the death of Wordsworth.
Browning's volume Poems (1844) brought her great success. During this time she met and corresponded with the writer Robert Browning, who admired her work. The courtship and marriage between the two were carried out in secret, for fear of her father's disapproval. Following the wedding she was disinherited by her father and rejected by her brothers. The couple moved to Italy in 1846, where she would live for the rest of her life. They had one son, Robert Barrett Browning, whom they called Pen. Towards the end of her life, her lung function worsened, and she died in Florence in 1861. A collection of her last poems was published by her husband shortly after her death.
Browning was brought up in a strongly religious household, and much of her work carries a Christian theme. Her work had a major influence on prominent writers of the day, including the American poets Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson. She is remembered for such poems as "How Do I Love Thee?" (Sonnet 43, 1845) and Aurora Leigh (1856).
Born in County Durham, the eldest of 12 children, Browning was educated at home. She wrote poetry from around the age of six and this was compiled by her mother, comprising what is now one of the largest collections extant of juvenilia by any English writer. At 15 Browning became ill, suffering from intense head and spinal pain for the rest of her life, rendering her frail. She took laudanum for the pain, which may have led to a lifelong addiction and contributed to her weak health.
In the 1830s Barrett's cousin John Kenyon introduced her to prominent literary figures of the day such as William Wordsworth, Mary Russell Mitford, Samuel Taylor Coleridge; Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and Thomas Carlyle. Browning's first adult collection The Seraphim and Other Poems was published in 1838. During this time she contracted a disease, possibly tuberculosis, which weakened her further. Living at Wimpole Street, in London, Browning wrote prolifically between 1841 and 1844, producing poetry, translation and prose. She campaigned for the abolition of slavery and her work helped influence reform in child labour legislation. Her prolific output made her a rival to Tennyson as a candidate for poet laureate on the death of Wordsworth.
Browning's volume Poems (1844) brought her great success. During this time she met and corresponded with the writer Robert Browning, who admired her work. The courtship and marriage between the two were carried out in secret, for fear of her father's disapproval. Following the wedding she was disinherited by her father and rejected by her brothers. The couple moved to Italy in 1846, where she would live for the rest of her life. They had one son, Robert Barrett Browning, whom they called Pen. Towards the end of her life, her lung function worsened, and she died in Florence in 1861. A collection of her last poems was published by her husband shortly after her death.
Browning was brought up in a strongly religious household, and much of her work carries a Christian theme. Her work had a major influence on prominent writers of the day, including the American poets Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson. She is remembered for such poems as "How Do I Love Thee?" (Sonnet 43, 1845) and Aurora Leigh (1856).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
October 5, 2011
Sonnet 43 is my favorite from Elizabeth Barret Browning's collection of love poetry titled "Sonnets From The Portuguese." She was inspired to write this collection when she met and fell in love with Robert Browning, who was also a renowned poet in Great Britain in his time. This poem greatly expresses what Elizabeth felt for husband.
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 candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a 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.
The first four lines pretty much say that the poet loves the subject in more ways than she can explain. Lines 5 and 6 say that she loves her significant other so much that he is not like a "basic need" ("most quiet need," says she in line 6)-- like the air she breathes and the water she drinks. The "quiet need," however, may also refer to sexual urges, particularly in the Victorian period when women's sexuality was commonly repressed. Line 7 says that she loves him as men fight for good and for their rights; line 8 expresses that she feels such pure love even amidst the decadence of the world around her. Line 10 tells him that she loves him so faithfully as with the innocent faith of a child. Line 11 says she has loved him just the same even amidst all her past doubts. Line 12 suggest that she reveres him as she once revered the deity of her former religion, or "lost saints" (12). Yet, the last line concludes by suggesting that this is but too short for their epic love, and that she wishes there'd be an afterlife in which to continue loving each other.
The metaphors used to explain her feeling are simply charming!
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 candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a 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.
The first four lines pretty much say that the poet loves the subject in more ways than she can explain. Lines 5 and 6 say that she loves her significant other so much that he is not like a "basic need" ("most quiet need," says she in line 6)-- like the air she breathes and the water she drinks. The "quiet need," however, may also refer to sexual urges, particularly in the Victorian period when women's sexuality was commonly repressed. Line 7 says that she loves him as men fight for good and for their rights; line 8 expresses that she feels such pure love even amidst the decadence of the world around her. Line 10 tells him that she loves him so faithfully as with the innocent faith of a child. Line 11 says she has loved him just the same even amidst all her past doubts. Line 12 suggest that she reveres him as she once revered the deity of her former religion, or "lost saints" (12). Yet, the last line concludes by suggesting that this is but too short for their epic love, and that she wishes there'd be an afterlife in which to continue loving each other.
The metaphors used to explain her feeling are simply charming!
May 6, 2015
In “How do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways” Elizabeth Barrett Browning explains her love to her significant other in a way that not many can. Love is a feeling that sometimes is too hard to identify and can be easily confused with lust, and whenever true love exists some words can sometimes lack the depth of the true feelings behind it. However, Elizabeth Barrett has no problem in explaining, as she uses figurative language to explain and transmit her love.
Since the beginning of the poem we see how Elizabeth love is immense and strong. She first comperes it to the depth, breadth and height her soul can reach. Then she compares it to be as freely and purely as men that strive for right and turn from praise. Lastly, she explains that she loves thee with all of what she has been throughout her life and that if god permits it she will love thee more in the afterlife.
Elizabeth Barrett always explains her love in figurative language and never by using dull words. With all the metaphors that she uses in her poem, we readers get to imagine the depth of her love instead of guessing how she really feels. For example, when she mentions that she loves thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all her life, us readers can imagine how much a person has ever smiled and cried throughout their lives and really understand the amount of love behind it. After reading Barrett’s biography I can conclude that this poem was more likely dedicated to her husband Robert Browning because even thought she was not allowed to get married she still did in secret and lived happily ever after with him in Italy.
This poem has definitely become one of my favorite ones. Even though it is a short poem, the content in it makes it extremely powerful. After reading it I couldn't help but to feel emotional because of all the beautiful ways Barrett described her love. This poem would be perfect for someone to dedicate to their significant others such as family members and lovers during valentines or special dates.
Since the beginning of the poem we see how Elizabeth love is immense and strong. She first comperes it to the depth, breadth and height her soul can reach. Then she compares it to be as freely and purely as men that strive for right and turn from praise. Lastly, she explains that she loves thee with all of what she has been throughout her life and that if god permits it she will love thee more in the afterlife.
Elizabeth Barrett always explains her love in figurative language and never by using dull words. With all the metaphors that she uses in her poem, we readers get to imagine the depth of her love instead of guessing how she really feels. For example, when she mentions that she loves thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all her life, us readers can imagine how much a person has ever smiled and cried throughout their lives and really understand the amount of love behind it. After reading Barrett’s biography I can conclude that this poem was more likely dedicated to her husband Robert Browning because even thought she was not allowed to get married she still did in secret and lived happily ever after with him in Italy.
This poem has definitely become one of my favorite ones. Even though it is a short poem, the content in it makes it extremely powerful. After reading it I couldn't help but to feel emotional because of all the beautiful ways Barrett described her love. This poem would be perfect for someone to dedicate to their significant others such as family members and lovers during valentines or special dates.
August 2, 2020
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 every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
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 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 every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
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.
February 15, 2023
Loved the description in this poem.
February 11, 2026
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
February 8, 2026
"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 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."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2022
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.
She describes what i feel every waking hour these days…
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.
She describes what i feel every waking hour these days…
December 15, 2018
My favorite sonnet ever.
September 8, 2021
A father, son and dog on a fishing trip set to the poetry of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s 43rd sonnet from “Sonnets From The Portuguese” and illustrated by Mati McDonough.
September 29, 2018
This poem is beautiful. I really feel I have no business saying anything about it whatsoever, but tradition is tradition at this point. . .
I have arranged my thoughts on this poem into a haiku:
"In love's purest form,
It's simple and intrinsic,
Touching everything."
I have arranged my thoughts on this poem into a haiku:
"In love's purest form,
It's simple and intrinsic,
Touching everything."
October 12, 2016
Most people were given this book to read during school years, pick them up again and take a beautiful journey into the well written verse.
April 8, 2021
This was an absolutely beautiful sonnet and Elizabeth Barrett Browning has a talent with words.
March 20, 2018
This is one of the most brilliant and beautiful love poems ever written, and I would argue the most beautiful love poem ever composed from a woman to her man.
Read
December 30, 2023How 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 candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a 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 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 candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a 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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2025
This sonnet is interesting because there is correlation, rhyming and contrast all in the same poet. Correlation by relating two words to illustrate how much the person expresses the depth of the love. The rhyming helps the relation of two words but still maintaining the "rules" of a poem. Lastly, the contrast juxtapositions two words that shouldn't be able to show the readers the ways to love but it works, it makes it more impactful. Ie. "by sun and candle-light", this contrast is used to show the extreme ends of love. The very negative and the very positive. The bright light and the dim light. To love one through this is the biggest form of love.
April 15, 2024
FULL REVIEW ON MY WEBSITE
https://thebookcornerchronicles.com/2...
The beginning of this poem was okay but after like 3 lines or so it just ran down the hill. In my opinion it happens a lot in poems and short stories.
The writing style was very bad in this one. As it usually happens in lesser known poems like this one.
The plot in this one was just even more boring then the writing style. Because it is another poem about death and god. In 2022 this topic for poems are way too overused.
https://thebookcornerchronicles.com/2...
The beginning of this poem was okay but after like 3 lines or so it just ran down the hill. In my opinion it happens a lot in poems and short stories.
The writing style was very bad in this one. As it usually happens in lesser known poems like this one.
The plot in this one was just even more boring then the writing style. Because it is another poem about death and god. In 2022 this topic for poems are way too overused.
May 23, 2026
Elizabeth Barrett Browning এই কবিতাটি প্রেমকে পরিমাপহীন, নিঃস্বার্থ এবং আত্মার গভীরতম অনুভূতি হিসেবে তুলে ধরে। “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways” — এই প্রশ্নের মাধ্যমে কবি যে প্রেমের গভীরতা প্রকাশ করেছেন, তা ধীরে ধীরে এক আধ্যাত্মিক অনুভূতিতে রূপ নেয়। ভাষা সহজ হলেও প্রতিটি লাইনে রয়েছে তীব্র আবেগ ও আন্তরিকতা। কবিতাটি কেবল রোমান্টিক ভালোবাসা নয়, বরং বিশ্বাস, স্থায়িত্ব এবং আত্মিক সংযোগের এক সুন্দর প্রকাশ। এটি Victorian love poetry-এর সবচেয়ে হৃদয়স্পর্শী ও জনপ্রিয় সনেটগুলোর একটি
July 16, 2025
Og female yearner
I like the fact that even though written in Petrarchan sonnet, it goes against the tradition of unrequited love of Pertrarch and represents transcendence through fulfillment instead of suffering. Everything she had experienced -negative and positive- are reinvested in the passion of this mutual,infinite,selfless,spiritual love.
I like the fact that even though written in Petrarchan sonnet, it goes against the tradition of unrequited love of Pertrarch and represents transcendence through fulfillment instead of suffering. Everything she had experienced -negative and positive- are reinvested in the passion of this mutual,infinite,selfless,spiritual love.
May 12, 2021
"I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death."
These last lines stuck the cord real hard. One of the finest piece of poem
With my lost saints. I love with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death."
These last lines stuck the cord real hard. One of the finest piece of poem
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2022
I once read the whole of “Aurora Leigh”, but I can’t say I remember it! Favourite: “I thought once how Theocritus had sung”, which echoes her own life, from despair and invalidism to an unlooked-for happy ending. I didn’t realise until recently though, that Robert was six years younger!
October 6, 2023
So much packed in this little collection...without a doubt a new favorite. Can't wait to read more from her. The best from this collection has to be 'from Aurora Leigh' and 'Sonnets from the Portuguese'
December 18, 2024
Sonnet 43, better known as the "How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways..." poem, is pretty straightforward. Browning explains the ways in which she'll love thee, even after death. It has a soft, lilting, cadence to it and is brief but beautiful. Browning definitely has a way with words.
April 23, 2019
Somewhere in my past I must have studied this as it sprang to mind in part today. Having looked up the whole poem it's still as good as I remembered.
March 1, 2021
Interpreted through illustrations with childlike innocence for the young reader without trivialising the traditional messages a mature audience might understand.
April 22, 2021
A famous 1st line and very short, yet I find I didn't understand this poem. "I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints." What does this mean, does she not actually love him?!
January 28, 2022
beautiful.
February 9, 2022
Not a big sonnet fan, but this is one of my favorites
June 17, 2022
What a cute little love letter
December 27, 2022
‘Sonnet 43’ – Elizabeth Barrett Browning
A love letter. “I shall but love thee better after death.” ***
A love letter. “I shall but love thee better after death.” ***
February 13, 2023
New fav poem alert
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews