I Do Not Love Thee
By Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton
I do not love thee! no! I do not love thee!
And yet when thou art absent I am sad;
And envy even the bright blue sky above thee,
Whose quiet stars may see thee and be glad.
I do not love thee! yet, I know not why,
Whate’er thou dost seems still well done, to me:
And often in my solitude I sigh
That those I do love are not more like thee!I do not love thee! yet, when thou art gone,
I hate the sound (though those who speak be dear)
Which breaks the lingering echo of the tone
Thy voice of music leaves upon my ear.I do not love thee! yet thy speaking eyes,
With their deep, bright, and most expressive blue,
Between me and the midnight heaven arise,
Oftener than any eyes I ever knew.I know I do not love thee! yet, alas!
Others will scarcely trust my candid heart;
And oft I catch them smiling as they pass,
Because they see me gazing where thou art.
Summary of I Do Not Love Thee
- Popularity of “I Do Not Love Thee”: Written in the 1820s, Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton’s “I Do Not Love Thee” is a captivating poem that explores the complex and often contradictory nature of affection. It presents a speaker vehemently denying love while simultaneously revealing the deep emotional impact the object of her attention has on her.
- “I Do Not Love Thee” As a Representative of Love: The poem centers around a persistent declaration of non-love, repeated at the beginning of each stanza. However, this assertion is continually undermined by expressions of sadness in absence, envy of those near the beloved, and a quiet admiration that surpasses affection for others. This creates a poignant tension, suggesting a love that is either suppressed, unacknowledged, or perhaps even disguised as indifference.
- Major Themes in “I Do Not Love Thee.” Love and its complex expressions, denial, and internal conflict are central to the poem. The speaker wrestles with her feelings, presenting a facade of detachment while betraying her true emotions through subtle gestures and admissions. The poem also subtly explores the societal pressures and expectations that might contribute to such a denial.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used In “I Do Not Love Thee”
Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton skillfully employs various literary devices to enhance the poem’s emotional depth and create a compelling reading experience.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words creates musicality and reinforces certain emotional tones. Notice the prevalence of the short “e” sound in the opening lines: “I do not love thee! no! I do not love thee!” This repetition emphasizes the initial declaration, creating a sense of insistence, even as it’s contradicted later.
- Alliteration: The use of consonant sounds at the beginning of words adds to the poem’s sonic texture. For instance, “bright blue” creates a vivid image and a pleasing sound. The repetition of sounds draws attention to certain phrases.
- Consonance: This involves the repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words. Consider the line “And yet when thou art absent I am sad.” The repeated “t” and “n” sounds create a subtle echo that reflects the lingering presence of the beloved even in absence.
- Enjambment: This occurs when a phrase or sentence extends beyond the end of a line, creating a sense of flow and continuity. An excellent example is in the second stanza:
I do not love thee! yet, when thou art gone,
I hate the sound (though those who speak be dear)
Which breaks the lingering echo of the tone
Thy voice of music leaves upon my ear.The enjambment mirrors the way memories and feelings spill over, creating an uninterrupted emotional experience.
- Exclamation: The use of exclamation points at the beginning of each stanza underscores the speaker’s initial declaration of non-love. While seemingly emphatic, it also hints at an underlying tension or internal conflict.
- Imagery: The poem is rich in imagery, appealing to the reader’s senses. “Bright blue sky” evokes a sense of vastness and serenity, while the “lingering echo of the tone” suggests a haunting memory. These images create a vivid emotional landscape for the poem.
- Metaphor: While not a dominant device, the poem subtly uses metaphor. The “midnight heaven” rising between the speaker and the beloved’s eyes isn’t a literal image but suggests the profound and almost otherworldly impact the beloved has on the speaker.
- Symbolism: The use of blue, particularly in relation to the beloved’s eyes, carries symbolic weight. Blue often represents depth, loyalty, and tranquility. The sky itself symbolizes freedom and vastness, perhaps reflecting the speaker’s hidden longings.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “I Do Not Love Thee”
Beyond literary devices, the poem effectively employs several poetic techniques to shape its meaning and create a specific aesthetic effect.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem adheres to a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme throughout all five stanzas. This regular pattern provides a sense of order and musicality, while also subtly reinforcing the themes of repetition and internal conflict.
- Stanza: The poem is structured into five quatrains (four-line stanzas). This form allows for a concise and focused exploration of the speaker’s complex emotions, with each stanza building upon the previous one.
- Repetition: The repeated phrase “I do not love thee!” serves as a refrain, emphasizing the speaker’s initial denial and creating a sense of dramatic irony. The constant repetition highlights the tension between what is said and what is implied.
- Tone: The poem’s tone is complex and multifaceted. While the initial declaration suggests detachment, the subsequent lines reveal a vulnerability and longing that create a sense of wistful sadness.
Quotes to be Used
These lines from “I Do Not Love Thee” can be used to express the complexities of unspoken affection and internal conflict:
I know I do not love thee! yet, alas!
Others will scarcely trust my candid heart;
And oft I catch them smiling as they pass,
Because they see me gazing where thou art.
This final stanza encapsulates the poem’s central theme: the impossibility of concealing true feelings, even in the face of denial. It suggests that love, once present, reveals itself through subtle gestures and the knowing glances of others.