causing a strong emotional or physical response.

giving up something valuable for a higher purpose, often involving personal loss or hardship.

lacks clarity, not easily understood; kept from sight, concealed.

dishonest behaviour, typically for personal gain or to influence others.

the process of getting to know a romantic partner before establishing a romantic relationship.

Understanding the poem ‘Sonnet 29’ by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

English

Understanding 'Winter Swans' by Owen Sheers

Analysing 'Winter Swans' by Owen Sheers

Understanding the poem ‘Neutral Tones’ by Thomas Hardy

Analysing the poem ‘Neutral Tones’ by Thomas Hardy

Understanding the poem 'When We Two Parted' by Lord Byron

Analysing the poem  ‘When We Two Parted’ by Lord Byron

Identifying how poets convey heartbreak in natural settings

Analysing how poets convey heartbreak in natural settings

Analysing the poem 'Sonnet 29' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Understanding the poem ‘Love’s Philosophy’ by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Analysing the poem 'Love's Philosophy' by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Understanding the poem ‘Letters from Yorkshire’ by Maura Dooley

Analysing the poem ‘Letters from Yorkshire’ by Maura Dooley

Identifying how poets reflect desire in natural settings

Analysing how poets reflect desire in natural settings

Understanding the poem ‘Eden Rock’ by Charles Causley

Analysing the poem 'Eden Rock' by Charles Causley

Understanding the poem 'Climbing My Grandfather' by Andrew Waterhouse

Analysing the poem 'Climbing My Grandfather' by Andrew Waterhouse

Understanding the poem 'Before You Were Mine' by Carol Ann Duffy

Analysing the poem 'Before You Were Mine' by Carol Ann Duffy

Identifying how poets reminisce and remember loved ones

Analysing how poets reminisce and remember loved ones

Understanding the poem ‘Mother, any distance’ by Simon Armitage

Analysing the poem 'Mother, any distance' by Simon Armitage

Understanding the poem ‘Walking Away’ by Cecil Day-Lewis

Analysing the poem ‘Walking Away’ by Cecil Day-Lewis

Understanding the poem 'Follower' by Seamus Heaney

Analysing the poem 'Follower' by Seamus Heaney

Identifying how poets present relationships that change over time

Analysing how poets present relationships that change over time

In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry', pupils compared the language, form and structure of a variety of poems connected by the themes of love and relationships. In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry continued', pupils work on making more nuanced comparisons between poems.

In 'Single Poet Study: Maya Angelou', pupils explore how Angelou uses her poetry to present strong relationships to people and place. In 'AQA Love and Relationships Poetry', pupils analyse how a variety of different relationships have been presented across time.

In this unit, pupis explore 12 of the 15 poems from the 'Love and Relationships' anthology. Pupils complete two lessons about each poem: one on understanding and one on analysis. Pupils study the poems in four groups, and they pause after each group to compare how those poems present common themes.

Poetry anthology: first study

Depiction or discussion of sex or sexual body parts, including sex education.

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

'Sonnet 29 - I think of thee!' was taken from a collection of poems entitled...

difficult to understand because it has been translated from another language

lacks clarity, not easily understood; kept from sight, concealed

She was forced to return after her father died.

The language barrier made it difficult for her to write poetry.

Following Barrett Browning's courtship with poet Robert Browning, the couple married and eloped to Italy. What were the consequences of this for Barrett Browning?

"I think of thee! - my thoughts do twine and bud"

"Renew thy presence; as a strong tree should"

"I do not think of thee - I am too near thee."

Below are three lines from 'Sonnet 29 - I think of thee!'. One is from the beginning, one from the middle and one from the end. Starting with first, put them into chronological order. 

"I will not have my thoughts instead of thee"

"these bands of greenery which insphere thee"

Which of these quotations from 'Sonnet 29' imply that the speaker's fantasy thought of her love spiral out of control while he is away?

"Rustle thy boughs and set thy trunk all bare"

'Put out broad leaves, and soon there's nought to see"

Which of these quotations from 'Sonnet 29' present a positive, uplifting view of love?

Barrett Browning wrote 'Sonnet 29' during the Victorian era. This society was known for being...

giving human characteristics to inanimate objects

comparing two things using 'like' or 'as'

putting two contrasting ideas next to or near to each to emphasise one or both

using concrete objects or actions to represent abstract ideas

when two more consecutive lines of poetry begin with the same word(s)

Sonnets are poems usually written about...

It would be amazing if you could be a little quieter.

If you wouldn't mind, I'd like silence now.

Which of these is an example of an imperative sentence?

Which of these is an example of tentative language?

Starter Quiz