Podcast
Questions and Answers
In 'Sonnet 130,' what does the speaker say his mistress's eyes are NOT like?
In 'Sonnet 130,' what does the speaker say his mistress's eyes are NOT like?
- Diamonds
- The ocean
- The stars
- The sun (correct)
What is 'coral' compared to in the poem?
What is 'coral' compared to in the poem?
- Her voice
- Her hair
- Her lips (correct)
- Her skin
In the poem, the speaker describes his lover's skin as which of the following?
In the poem, the speaker describes his lover's skin as which of the following?
- Dun (correct)
- Rosy and bright
- Like damask roses
- White as snow
To what does the speaker compare his mistress's hair?
To what does the speaker compare his mistress's hair?
The speaker says that he has seen roses that are 'damasked.' What does 'damasked' mean?
The speaker says that he has seen roses that are 'damasked.' What does 'damasked' mean?
In the poem, the speaker suggests that which of the following smells better than his mistress's breath?
In the poem, the speaker suggests that which of the following smells better than his mistress's breath?
According to the speaker, what has a more pleasing sound than his mistress's voice?
According to the speaker, what has a more pleasing sound than his mistress's voice?
The speaker admits he has never seen a ____.
The speaker admits he has never seen a ____.
In the poem, the speaker's mistress does what when she walks?
In the poem, the speaker's mistress does what when she walks?
In the final couplet, the speaker proclaims his love to be as _____ as any love.
In the final couplet, the speaker proclaims his love to be as _____ as any love.
The word 'belied' in the last line means what?
The word 'belied' in the last line means what?
What is the rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet?
What is the rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet?
How many lines are in a Shakespearean sonnet?
How many lines are in a Shakespearean sonnet?
In a Shakespearean sonnet, what is a 'couplet'?
In a Shakespearean sonnet, what is a 'couplet'?
What is the 'volta' in a sonnet?
What is the 'volta' in a sonnet?
What is the meter of 'Sonnet 130'?
What is the meter of 'Sonnet 130'?
Which of the following best describes Shakespeare's tone in the first 12 lines of 'Sonnet 130'?
Which of the following best describes Shakespeare's tone in the first 12 lines of 'Sonnet 130'?
What does the word 'reeks' mean in the context of the poem?
What does the word 'reeks' mean in the context of the poem?
Which era did Shakespeare live in?
Which era did Shakespeare live in?
Products such as bleach and lemon juice were used for what purpose in the Elizabethan era?
Products such as bleach and lemon juice were used for what purpose in the Elizabethan era?
The speaker’s mistress is being compared to what in the first line of the poem?
The speaker’s mistress is being compared to what in the first line of the poem?
Line 2 contains an example of what figure of speech?
Line 2 contains an example of what figure of speech?
What did pale skin symbolize during the Elizabethan era?
What did pale skin symbolize during the Elizabethan era?
The couplet undoes the potential damage done to what?
The couplet undoes the potential damage done to what?
What is Shakespeare cleverly making use of
What is Shakespeare cleverly making use of
The speaker compares his lover's voice to what?
The speaker compares his lover's voice to what?
To what does the speaker compare his lover’s breath?
To what does the speaker compare his lover’s breath?
Why does the speaker not need to exaggerate his feelings?
Why does the speaker not need to exaggerate his feelings?
What does the use of ‘And yet’ signify?
What does the use of ‘And yet’ signify?
What type of poem is Sonnet 130?
What type of poem is Sonnet 130?
What is Shakespeare satirizing in Sonnet 130?
What is Shakespeare satirizing in Sonnet 130?
What are quatrains?
What are quatrains?
What does Shakespeare emphasize regarding his love in the coupet?
What does Shakespeare emphasize regarding his love in the coupet?
What does the speaker reject in lines 11 and 12?
What does the speaker reject in lines 11 and 12?
Instead of ‘floating’ gracefully, how does the speaker say his mistress walks?
Instead of ‘floating’ gracefully, how does the speaker say his mistress walks?
The refusal to use hyperbolic language ironically emphasizes what?
The refusal to use hyperbolic language ironically emphasizes what?
Flashcards
Sonnet 130 Summary
Sonnet 130 Summary
Poem where speaker uses 'anti-compliments' to describe his beloved.
Petrarchan Sonnets
Petrarchan Sonnets
Exaggerated or unrealistic ways of describing partners in sonnets.
Elizabethan Beauty ideals
Elizabethan Beauty ideals
Beauty ideals during the Elizabethan era.
Simile
Simile
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Metaphor
Metaphor
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Dun
Dun
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Rhyming Couplet
Rhyming Couplet
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Volta
Volta
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Shakespeare's tone (Sonnet 130)
Shakespeare's tone (Sonnet 130)
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Iambic Pentameter
Iambic Pentameter
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Quatrains
Quatrains
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Enjambment
Enjambment
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Sonnet 130 Theme
Sonnet 130 Theme
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Shakespearean Sonnet
Shakespearean Sonnet
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Blazon
Blazon
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Reeks
Reeks
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Rare
Rare
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Massive Change
Massive Change
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Study Notes
Overview of Sonnet 130
- This sonnet, also known as "My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun", is frequently identified by its Roman numeral in Shakespeare's canon or by its first line
- During the Renaissance, poets commonly wrote a "fig Dios" to describe a woman's beauty from head to toe, but Shakespeare takes a different approach
- The speaker describes his mistress from head to toe by listing beautiful things and then stating that she is not like those things
Description of Mistress
- The poem begins with the shocking line: "My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun"
- Compares the speaker's mistress against something bright, beautiful, and powerful and states that her eyes are nothing like it
- The speaker contrasts her with color red, typically associated with passion, and admits her lips are not red
- The speaker then notes that her roses are unlike damask, meaning they are not variegated with red and white colors
- The speaker compares the mistress's skin to the color snow white, and that it represents purity, but notes that her breasts are brown or gray, implying she is human rather than pure
- Hair has been compared to wires, not soft and beautiful like silk, and suggests her hair is dark and wiry
- Speaker implies uniqueness and beauty may be prized for certain features, and declares her cheeks are rather dull
- While expressing "I love to hear her speak," but contrasts that with the fact that music is better
- It continues to state "I grant I never saw a goddess go", meaning the goddess will move with grace, her feet will tread on the ground
Couplet Resolution
- The rhyming couplet resolves a problem that has been presented
- Three quatrains present a problem, telling us about his mistress, describing that she is not any of these perfect ideas of beauty
- The problem is finally resolved in the couplet "And yet by heaven, I think my love as rare as any she belied with false compare"
- She isn't perfect, she is very human, she doesn't fit a romanticized ideal, yet I love her more than anything that you would put up with when compared to false comparisons
- Final couplet is beautiful tribute to his very human mistress
- This technique could be called the reverse effect, it highlights differences in qualities
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