The poem was written in 1850 as part of a collection titled "Sonnets from the Portuguese," which was a collection of love poems that she addressed to Robert. While the collection was titled as if it were translated from Portuguese, the poems were entirely original and written in English.
Though the poems were inspired by her love for Robert, the collection was originally intended for her own eyes only. She even wrote a preface to the collection that stated: "If any one accuse me of writing too much about my love for my husband, I can only plead guilty to the charge."
Barrett Browning chose the title "Sonnets from the Portuguese" as a way to disguise the true subject matter of her poems. It allowed her to express her deep feelings for Robert in a way that was both private and public. However, the collection was later published, and the poems became widely celebrated for their passionate and intimate portrayal of love.
The specific inspiration for "How Do I Love Thee?" comes from the fact that Robert Browning had just proposed to Elizabeth Barrett. He was trying to convince her to marry him, despite the disapproval of her father. In the poem, Elizabeth expresses the depth and intensity of her love for Robert in a way that was both romantic and convincing.
The poem is often cited as an example of romantic love poetry at its best. It is full of passion, imagery, and emotion, and it continues to resonate with readers today.