The Poetry of William Shakespeare
Although chiefly remembered as a playwright, Shakespeare's sonnets are justly famous. The "Sonnets" were published in 1609, but seem to have been composed mainly between 1593 and 1596. They were dedicated to his principal patron, the Earl of Southampton.
My Mistress' Eyes are nothing like the sun
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.
Questions
- What poetic convention is Shakespeare mocking in this poem?
- Briefly describe this convention.
- Give synonyms for the following words in the poem:
- dun
- damask'd
- reeks
- grant
- treads
- rare
- Quote three separate words which have negative connotations.
- Does this mean his mistress is ugly? Explain.
- Quote an example of alliteration.
- Quote an example of an oath from this poem.
- Paraphrase the last two lines.
- What is the difference between Shakespeare's mistress and a
a Petrarchan lady.
Writing Exercise
Write a poem in which you mock the Petrarchan Conevention
by exaggerating it.
