![]() Many of the sonnets pair death and love, seemingly signaling the sense of an individual's "death" when becoming joined with another. "Portuguese" was a pet name for Elizabeth, though the name's use in the title was also a way to dampen the sense of personal intimacy of the sonnets since it suggests they may be sonnets in translation. Sonnets from the Portuguese was published in November of 1850, after Elizabeth Barrett Browning was up for the Poet Laureate alongside Tennyson. She did not, however, present Browning with these sonnets until 1849, after their marriage and their son was born. Sonnets from the Portuguese was written during the years of their courtship, from 1845-1846. Perhaps because Elizabeth at the time was six years Browning's senior (at 40) and physically weak due to a chronic condition, she was hesitant during their courtship years. ![]() Browning reciprocated with a letter returning his compliments about her work-and boldly proclaiming that he loved her. Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett's correspondence began with Elizabeth's critical praise of one of Browning's poems. ![]()
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