Sonnet 130 by William Shakespeare summary and analysis

Sonnet 130 by William Shakespeare

1. Sonnet 130 By William Shakespeare

2. Sonnets Usually catalogues the characteristics and virtues of the beloved. Elegant, elevated language is used for over-the-top comparisons

3. Content

4. Sonnet 130 by William Shakespeare My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips' red; If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. I have seen roses damask'd , red and white, But no such roses see I in her cheeks; And in some perfumes is there more delight Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks. I love to hear her speak, yet well I know That music hath a far more pleasing sound; I grant I never saw a goddess go; My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground: And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare.

5. My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; She has very ordinary eyes. They lack lustre (shine). Not as bright as the sun. Negative comparison (simile) not like the sun (radiant) In Shakespeare’s time “mistress” was a more general reference meaning "my love" or "my darling."

6. 2. Coral is far more red than her lips' red; A red, pinkish colour Her lips are quite pale compared to coral.

7. 3. If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun ; A dull grey/brown colour To have a snow white complexion was considered to be a good attribute in Shakespeare’s time. His mistress has a dull complexion

8. If hairs be wires , black wires grow on her head . Thread like Not a pretty picture. Metaphor: Her hair is compared to black wires as it is not soft and flowing, but hard and spiky. This is a very abrupt and off-putting description.

9. I have seen roses damask'd , red and white, Decorated with patterns But no such roses see I in her cheeks; She does not have blushed cheeks with a pale complexion, which was considered to be attractive. This is also an image of good health, but his mistress does not have this quality.

10. 7. And in some perfumes is there more delight 8. Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks. Some perfumes are far more fragrant than the smell of her breath. This is particularly shocking and offensive.

11. 9. I love to hear her speak , yet well I know 10. That music hath a far more pleasing sound; He loves to hear her speak, but the sound of music is more gentle/pleasing to hear than the sound of her voice. Slight change in the poet’s description of his mistress. There are more positive references than before.

12. He admits that he had never seen a goddess move. 11. I grant I never saw a goddess go; 12.My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground: She is not a goddess that floats or glides when she walks. She is a very real person who is grounded and just plain human.

13. 13. And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare 14. As any she belied with false compare. The speaker thinks that his mistress is as wonderful and unique ("rare") as any woman ("any she") who was ever misrepresented ("belied") by an exaggerated comparison ("false compare"). IRONIC: He denies that she possesses any heavenly qualities, yet he swears by heaven. The couplet drives home the speaker's main point, that unlike other people who write sonnets, he doesn't need flowery terms or fancy comparisons. He can just tell his mistress, plainly and simply, that he loves her for who she is.

14. Tone: Mocking conventional sonnets but serious in his meaning Mood: Humorous Theme: Real love doesn’t need false tributes, any woman can be beautiful. Diction: Mocks the language of a typical Petrarchan love sonnet that uses elegant comparisons. The poet describes his love using the opposite of what is expected, describing her as she really is.

15. Form and structure