Directions: Work to paraphrase the poem into its literal meaning, identify the
examples of figurative language and satirical devices, and determine the tone
of the poem and the poem’s theme.
Sonnet 130 (My mistress’ eyes ….)
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 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 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.
- What six complaints the speaker has made about his “mistress:”:
What is the figurative language used?
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What are the satirical elements used?
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What is the effect of this comparison?
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What is the tone of the poem up to this point? Explain.
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In Shakespeare’s time, the word reeks didn’t have the negative connotation that it does today.
How does this change your understanding of the line?
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The speaker is not always the poet. Who could the speaker be? To whom could the speaker be
talking to?
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Pick two tone adjectives to describe the speaker’s attitude towards the subject.
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Identify the poem’s central theme. What is the purpose of the poem overall? What is
Shakespeare suggesting about life?
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Why do you think the poet only describes the physical features of his mistress? Nothing is
written to describe her personality. Why do you think this is?
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On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, how would you rate this sonnet as a love
poem? Explain.
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If the order of the poem’s lines were reversed and the speaker started by telling the mistress he
loves her, before mentioning the negative points, how would this change your view of the
poem?
