Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart!
Unlike our uses and our destinies.
Our ministering two angels look surprise
On one another, as they strike athwart
Their wings in passing.  Thou, bethink thee, art
A guest for queens to social pageantries,
With gages from a hundred brighter eyes
Than tears even can make mine, to play thy part
Of chief musician.  What hast thou to do
With looking from the lattice-lights at me,
A poor, tired, wandering singer, singing through
The dark, and leaning up a cypress tree?
The chrism is on thine head,—on mine, the dew—
And Death must dig the level where these agree.

Summary of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 3: “Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart!”

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “Sonnet 3: ‘Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart!’” from her collection “Sonnets from the Portuguese” reflects on the differences between two lovers from very different social backgrounds. The speaker, who sees herself as humble and unremarkable, is astonished that her beloved, who is depicted as noble and distinguished, would be interested in her.

Opening Lines: Acknowledging Differences

The poem begins with the speaker addressing her beloved, calling him “princely Heart,” which highlights his high social standing. She admits that they are “unlike” each other in many ways, including their roles in life and their destinies. This sets the stage for her to explore the contrasts between them.

Imagery of Angels: Surprised by Love

The speaker imagines that their guardian angels are surprised to see them together. This image of angels crossing paths and being startled by the couple’s relationship underscores how unusual and unexpected their union is, even from a divine perspective. It emphasizes that their love defies normal expectations and boundaries.

Beloved’s High Status

In the next part of the poem, the speaker elaborates on her beloved’s high status. She imagines him as a favored guest at royal events, admired by many noble and beautiful people. In contrast, she sees herself as someone who would never be invited to such prestigious gatherings. This contrast highlights her feelings of inadequacy and her disbelief that someone of his stature could be interested in her.

Questioning Her Worth

The speaker then reflects on her own lowly position. She sees herself as a “poor, tired, wandering singer,” someone who sings alone in the dark and leans against a cypress tree, a symbol often associated with mourning and sadness. This image emphasizes her feelings of isolation and unworthiness compared to the grandeur of her beloved’s life.

Spiritual Contrast

In the final lines, the speaker introduces a spiritual element. She describes her beloved as having “chrism” on his head, referring to a sacred anointing oil, while she only has “dew,” a common and humble element. This metaphor further underscores the differences between them, not just socially but spiritually as well.

Concluding Thought

The poem concludes with the speaker suggesting that only death can level the differences between them. In life, their disparities seem too great to overcome, but in death, those social distinctions no longer matter. This ending implies that their love might find true equality and fulfillment only in the afterlife.

Analysis of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 3: “Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart!”

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “Sonnet 3: ‘Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart!’” is a heartfelt poem that explores the feelings of self-doubt and amazement that arise when someone from a humble background falls in love with someone of high status. The speaker of the poem, who represents Browning herself, reflects on the significant differences between her and her beloved, questioning how such a relationship could be possible.

Differences in Status

The poem begins with the speaker addressing her beloved as “princely Heart,” indicating that he is of noble or high social standing. In contrast, she sees herself as much lower in status and worth. This sets up the central theme of the poem: the striking differences between the two lovers.

Surprised Angels

The speaker imagines that their guardian angels are surprised to see them together. This image of angels looking at each other in amazement symbolizes how unexpected and rare their relationship is. It emphasizes that their love crosses normal boundaries and surprises even divine beings, suggesting that their union is something extraordinary and beyond everyday expectations.

High Society vs. Humble Life

The speaker goes on to describe her beloved as someone who is often a guest at royal events, admired by many. She contrasts this with her own life, which is far from the glitter and glamour of high society. She portrays herself as a “poor, tired, wandering singer,” emphasizing her modesty and the simplicity of her life. This stark contrast highlights her feelings of inadequacy and her disbelief that someone of his status could be interested in her.

Questioning the Relationship

Throughout the poem, the speaker questions why her noble beloved would be interested in her. She imagines him looking at her from a high, glamorous place while she remains in her humble surroundings. This imagery illustrates her doubts and insecurities, as she struggles to understand what he sees in her and why he would choose her over the more suitable and high-status companions he could easily have.

Spiritual Differences

In the final lines of the poem, the speaker introduces a spiritual metaphor. She describes her beloved as having “chrism” on his head, a sacred anointing oil, while she only has “dew,” a common and humble substance. This metaphor underscores not only the social differences between them but also suggests a difference in their spiritual or moral standing.

Hope and Acceptance

Despite these differences, the speaker ends on a note of acceptance, suggesting that only death can bridge the gap between their different worlds. In life, their differences may seem too great to overcome, but in death, those social distinctions disappear. This ending implies a hope that their love can ultimately transcend societal boundaries, even if it means waiting until the afterlife.

Key Themes

Love Across Social Boundaries: The central theme of the poem is the power of love to cross social boundaries and connect people from different walks of life.

Self-Doubt and Insecurity: The speaker’s reflections reveal deep insecurities and self-doubt about her worthiness of her beloved’s love.

Spiritual Equality: The poem suggests that while social differences are significant in life, they are irrelevant in the spiritual realm or afterlife.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s sonnet beautifully captures the emotional complexity of loving someone from a different social class. The speaker admires her beloved but feels unworthy of his love, questioning how such a relationship can exist. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt reflections, the poem explores the themes of love, social disparity, and hope for spiritual equality, highlighting the enduring power of love to overcome societal barriers.

Line-by-Line Explanation of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 3: “Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart!”

Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart!

• The speaker begins by addressing her beloved as “princely Heart,” acknowledging his noble and high status. She immediately points out that they are very different from each other in many ways.

Unlike our uses and our destinies.

• She continues to highlight their differences, saying that their roles in life (“uses”) and their futures (“destinies”) are not the same. This suggests a significant gap in their social standings and life paths.

Our ministering two angels look surprise

• The speaker imagines their guardian angels looking at each other in surprise. This imagery symbolizes how unlikely and unexpected their relationship is, even to divine beings.

On one another, as they strike athwart

• The angels’ wings cross each other as they pass by. This emphasizes the idea that the union of the speaker and her beloved is so unusual that it even causes angels to take notice.

Their wings in passing. Thou, bethink thee, art

• The speaker continues to describe the angels’ actions, using this imagery to set the stage for contrasting her beloved’s high status with her own humble position.

A guest for queens to social pageantries,

• She depicts her beloved as someone who is a welcome guest at royal events (“social pageantries”). This implies that he is accustomed to high society and grandeur.

With gages from a hundred brighter eyes

• At these royal events, he is admired by many people (“a hundred brighter eyes”). This indicates that he is surrounded by those who are socially prominent and possibly more beautiful or significant than the speaker.

Than tears even can make mine, to play thy part

• The speaker contrasts her own eyes, which may be brightened by tears, suggesting that even her emotional depth cannot compete with the brilliance of those who admire him in high society.

Of chief musician. What hast thou to do

• She imagines him as the “chief musician” at these events, highlighting his significant role and talent. This sets up her questioning why someone like him would be interested in someone like her.

With looking from the lattice-lights at me,

• She asks why he would look at her from his high, glamorous place (“lattice-lights”), suggesting a metaphorical separation between their worlds.

A poor, tired, wandering singer, singing through

• The speaker describes herself as a “poor, tired, wandering singer,” emphasizing her humble, weary, and perhaps lonely existence compared to his.

The dark, and leaning up a cypress tree?

• She continues this image by placing herself in the dark, leaning against a cypress tree, which often symbolizes mourning or despair. This heightens the contrast between her and her beloved.

The chrism is on thine head,—on mine, the dew,—

• The speaker uses a spiritual metaphor here: her beloved has “chrism” (a sacred oil) on his head, while she only has “dew.” This emphasizes the difference in their spiritual or social anointment and status.

And Death must dig the level where these agree.

• The poem concludes with the idea that only death can level the differences between them. In life, their social and spiritual disparities are too great, but in death, those distinctions no longer matter. This suggests a hope that their love can transcend earthly limitations in the afterlife.