Final answer:
Line c, "With my lost saints—I love thee with the breath…", is the one that does not adhere to strict iambic pentameter in Elizabeth Barrett Browning's 'Sonnet 43', as it contains an eleventh, unstressed syllable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to identifying which line from Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnet 43" does not conform to strict iambic pentameter. Recall that iambic pentameter consists of five feet or pairs of syllables, where each foot follows an unstressed and then stressed pattern (da-DUM). Let's analyze the options:
- a. "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." (This line fits the pattern and has ten syllables.)
- b. "For the ends of Being and ideal Grace." (This line follows the pattern as well.)
- c. "With my lost saints—I love thee with the breath…" (This line adds an extra beat with the ellipsis, resulting in an eleventh, unstressed syllable.)
- d. "I shall but love thee better after death." (This line also correctly follows iambic pentameter.)
Therefore, the line that does not maintain strict iambic pentameter is c. "With my lost saints—I love thee with the breath…" because it includes an eleventh, unstressed syllable.