by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The Life of Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Despite various tragedies including debilitating illness, the death of a brother, and a father who disowned her, Elizabeth Barrett Browning emerged as one of the most popular poets of the Victorian period. Read her story here and then consider what all these hardships might have contributed to her poetry. Do you think it's necessary to suffer in order to produce great works? Explain why or why not in the Web Links Activity Log.

Sonnet Central
Take a trip to Sonnet Central, a Web site devoted to the art of the sonnet, and familiarize yourself with the form of poetry Browning re-popularized with her Sonnets from the Portuguese. Choose The Victorian Sonnet to learn more about the poetry of Browning's day, or explore other links such as Sonnets of World War I and Canadian Sonnets to expand your understanding of the form.