I love thee with the breath

Explain the following lines:

“I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all life!- and if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.”

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s (1806-61) “How Do I Love Thee?” (1850) expresses deep and eternal love. These lines come near the end. They show the completeness and devotion of the speaker’s love. The speaker says she loves with her “breath, smiles, and tears.” This means her love is part of her entire life. It includes her joys, sorrows, and everything in between. Love is shown in every action and emotion. It is as natural as breathing and as meaningful as smiling or crying.

The speaker also mentions “if God choose,” which reflects her faith. She believes that love is not limited to life on earth. If God allows, she will continue to love after death. This shows her trust in divine power and the eternal nature of true love. The poet highlights that love does not end with life. It transcends physical existence and becomes spiritual. This reflects hope, faith, and the belief that true love is everlasting.

These lines are a touching conclusion to Browning’s celebration of love. They capture how deep, strong, and eternal her feelings are. Love is seen as a powerful force that connects life and the afterlife. The words are simple yet filled with emotion. They show love as pure and divine, proving it can survive beyond death. Through this, Browning tells us that love is not just for today. It is something that can last forever, uniting two souls even in eternity.