Analysis of Sonnet XXIV: Let the World's Sharpness

Elizabeth Barrett Browning 1806 (Kelloe) – 1861 (Florence)



Let the world's sharpness like a clasping knife
Shut in upon itself and do no harm
In this close hand of Love, now soft and warm,
And let us hear no sound of human strife
After the click of the shutting. Life to life -
I lean upon thee, Dear, without alarm,
And feel as safe as guarded by a charm
Against the stab of worldlings, who if rife
Are weak to injure. Very whitely still
The lilies of our lives may reassure
Their blossoms from their roots, accessible
Alone to heavenly dews that drop not fewer;
Growing straight, out of man's reach, on the hill.
God only, who made us rich, can make us poor.


Scheme ABCAABBADEFGDH
Poetic Form
Metre 101101011 1001010111 0111111101 0111111101 10011010111 1101110101 0111110101 010111111 1111010101 0101101101 1101110100 011100111110 1011111101 11011111111
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 596
Words 118
Sentences 5
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 14
Lines Amount 14
Letters per line (avg) 33
Words per line (avg) 8
Letters per stanza (avg) 467
Words per stanza (avg) 116
Font size:
 

Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on May 02, 2023

36 sec read
109

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was one of the most prominent English poets of the Victorian era. more…

All Elizabeth Barrett Browning poems | Elizabeth Barrett Browning Books

20 fans

Discuss this Elizabeth Barrett Browning poem analysis with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this poem analysis to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Sonnet XXIV: Let the World's Sharpness" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/10350/sonnet-xxiv%3A-let-the-world%27s-sharpness>.

    Become a member!

    Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

    April 2024

    Poetry Contest

    Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
    2
    days
    21
    hours
    44
    minutes

    Special Program

    Earn Rewards!

    Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

    Browse Poetry.com

    Quiz

    Are you a poetry master?

    »
    Which of these famous poems is written in villanelle form?
    A Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
    B The Owl And The Pussycat
    C Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
    D Funeral Blues