Understanding the presentation of love in Browning's 'Sonnet 43'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Barrett Browning presents her feelings of love.
Key learning points
- ‘Sonnet 43’ is one of Barrett Browning’s 44 sonnets that she wrote for her (then) future husband - Robert Browning.
- The poem follows the conventions of a Petrarchan sonnet.
- The poem explores the transcendental and bountiful love the poet and her future husband share.
- Barrett Browning eloped with Robert Browning, and was disinherited by her father.
- Barrett Browning struggled with chronic illness, which may explain why the poem has spiritual/religious undertones.
Keywords
Petrarchan sonnet - a kind of sonnet, used to express feelings of love, which has a unique rhyme scheme
Volta - a shift in tone in a poem, found in a sonnet between the octet and the sestet
Sombre - serious, sad and reflective
Bountiful - abundant - endless
Transcendental - beyond ordinary or common experience - spiritual or supernatural in some way
Common misconception
Students might think that this sonnet was written whilst Barrett Browning was married.
This poem was written before the pair were married. Barrett Browning knew of her father's disapproval, but loved Robert Browning very much.
Teacher tip
You could set some of Browning and Barrett Browning's letters to one another as additional reading for pupils to complete at home. These provide great insight into their relationship and the lengths they went to just to be together.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How many lines does a sonnet typically have?
Q2.Sonnets are poems traditionally about...
Q3. A shift in tone in a poem is known as a...
Q4.The general feeling or attitude presented by a writer in a text is known as...
Q5. If something is 'sombre' it is...
Q6.The word 'transcendental' means...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords with their definitions.
Q2.Sonnet 43 is an example of a __________ sonnet.
Q3.'Sonnet 43' can be divided into 3 sections. What are they?
Q4.The line "I love thee freely" from 'Sonnet 43' might suggest...
Q5.Complete the quote from 'Sonnet 43': "In my old , and with my childhood’s faith."
Q6.‘Sonnet 43’ is one of Barrett Browning’s 44 sonnets that she wrote for her future .
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Understanding the presentation of love in Browning's 'Sonnet 43', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Understanding the presentation of love in Browning's 'Sonnet 43', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Poetry anthology (Assessment until summer 2026) unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.