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Questions and Answers
What is the main theme of Shakespeare's Sonnet 130?
In Sonnet 130, the speaker compares his mistress' lips to what?
According to Sonnet 130, what does the speaker say about his mistress' eyes?
How does the speaker view his mistress' speaking abilities in Sonnet 130?
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Which of the following best describes the tone of Sonnet 130 towards the speaker's mistress?
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What does the speaker reveal about his feelings towards his mistress in Sonnet 130?
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What sets 'Sonnet 130' apart from typical sonnets?
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How has 'Sonnet 130' impacted readers over the centuries?
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What is one reason 'Sonnet 130' remains popular in the English language?
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How does 'Sonnet 130' challenge romantic ideals of its time?
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What kind of legacy does 'Sonnet 130' have in literature?
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How has 'Sonnet 130' been adapted over time?
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How does Sonnet 130 challenge the typical sonnet structure of Shakespeare's time?
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What distinguishes 'Sonnet 130' from other sonnets of the time?
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What message does the final couplet of Sonnet 130 convey about the subject's imperfections?
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Which aspect of the speaker's mistress is highlighted in the third quatrain of Sonnet 130?
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What role do virtues like faithfulness and constancy play in Sonnet 130?
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How does 'Sonnet 130' deviate from traditional sonnets in its portrayal of beauty?
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Study Notes
Shakespeare's Sonnet 130 is one of the most famous sonnets written by William Shakespeare in his playful yet profound style. It is composed of three quatrains and a couplet. Here is the full text of the sonnet:
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 damasked, 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 hast thou, little of that kind; For in thy speaking there discern I grow A hundred tongues, all of them false and cunning. And though I hate to hear what thou dost say, Yet hearing it, still am drawn to feel away.
The opening lines of the sonnet declare that the speaker's lover's features do not match up to idealized descriptions often found in poetry ("My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun"). However, this does not deter him from loving her deeply. Instead, he finds beauty in her imperfections, comparing her physical attributes to objects that are less beautiful - coral being less red than her lips, her skin being duller than snow, and her hair being wiry. He admits that she speaks poorly and lies frequently, but despite this, he continues to find himself drawn to her. This suggests a deeper emotional connection between the speaker and his mistress, where their flaws and imperfections only serve to make them more human and endearing.
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Description
Explore the themes, literary devices, and deeper meanings within William Shakespeare's Sonnet 130, which challenges conventional ideas of beauty and love. Delve into the playful yet profound style of the poem and discover how the speaker's unconventional comparisons reveal a deeper emotional connection with his mistress.
