sonnet 29 - elizabeth barrett browning

“wild vines, about a tree”

metaphor comparing her thoughts to vines which grow uncontrollably showing her obsession that she has to suppress because a Victorian Society would view her as “wild” - also why the poem was never supposed to be published

shows her reliance on him as vines need a tree to grow around

“palm-tree”

religious imagery; reference to Song of Solomon gives biblical connotations to purity and sanctity to mask the scandalous nature of how barrett browning portrays sexual pleasure as a woman in a patriarchal society

“instantly”

imperative verb gives the poet power which is unconventional for the time period and the sense urgency created heightens her passion and desire for him

caesura

builds to a climax symbolising her passion and excitement to be with him

cyclical structure

begins and ends with the focus on him highlighting her obsession and neverending desire for sexual intimacy

reflects her frustration towards her father for not allowing her to marry him

petrarchan sonnet

generally a poem about intense feelings of love and the complexity of romance

complex relationship because it was forbidden by her father