The Rose and Zephyr by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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“If you desire faith, then you have faith enough.” (qtd. in Elizabeth Browning). Elizabeth Barrett Browning had strong faith in her ability to love someone and write great love poetry. She is most remembered for her Sonnets from the Portuguese. Elizabeth opened the door for many future women become great literary authors. Elizabeth is remembered for her life, marriage, and love sonnets.
Elizabeth was born on March 6, 1806 in England. Elizabeth was oldest of eleven children. Her parents were Edward Barrett Moulton Barrett and Mary Graham Clarke. Elizabeth’s father was overbearing and controlling and sometimes even abusive. Her father would go to great lengths to make sure none of his daughters were around boys. He often encouraged his children in their scholastic achievements. He was especially proud of Elizabeth, who had to the ability to write captivating poems and sonnets. At the age of 14 her father had her narrative poem “The Battle of Marathon” printed to give out to family and friends (Poets.org).
In 1825 Browning’s second published poem “The Rose and Zephyr” appeared in a local newspaper. After this time Elizabeth became increasingly ill. Throughout her teenage years she learned several languages. In 1826 Elizabeth published her own translation of Prometheus Bound. During this time many changes were taking place in the Browning household. Elizabeth’s father began to treat the family as if he was tyrant. Elizabeth was not allowed to go outside or wonder off the family’s estate without her father by her side. After a harsh punishment from her father a doctor diagnosed Elizabeth with a lung ailment and a spinal injury. Even though Elizabeth was plagued with many diseases she continued writing (Garrett pg. 43).
In 1827 E...

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...ngs. London: Pickering and
Chatto, 2004.
Unknown Editor, Unknown Publisher, 'IHAS: Poet'. Pbs.org. N. p., 2014. Web. 8 Apr. 2014.

Cooper, Helen. Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Woman and Artist.
London: University of North Carolina Press, 1988.
Garrett, Martin, ed. Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning: Interviews and
Recollections. San Francisco: Palgrave, 1997.
Leighton, Angela. Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Brighton: Harvester Press, 1986.
Stephenson, Glennis. Elizabeth Barrett Browning and the Poetry of Love. Ann Arbor: U.M.I.
Research, 1989.
Barrett Browning, Elizabeth. 'How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43) | Academy Of American Poets'.
Poets.org. N. p., 1847. Web. 8 Apr. 2014. < http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/how-do-i-love-thee-sonnet-43>

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