How do I love thee
... ends of Being and ideal Grace? (ll. 2-4) The alliteration of ‘L’ and the ‘S’ sounds contribute to the romantic nature and flow of the sonnet. The poem’s rhyme scheme (abba abba cdcdcd) corresponds perfectly to that of a classic Italian sonnet; however, there is no shift in style or motif between the two main sections of the sonnet. The preliminary octave ends with the line, “I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise;” (l. 8) and the beginning line of the final sextet continues, “I love thee with the passion put to use”(l. 9). Even the ending couplet continues in the same style and theme: “ Smiles, tears, of all my life! --and, if God choose, / I shall but love thee better after death” (ll. 13-14) Furthermore, ...