Shakespeare's Sonnet 130, titled "My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun," is a poem that plays with the conventions of love poetry popular in Shakespeare's time. It is a parody of the typical petrarchan sonnet, which idealized and idolized the object of the poet's affection. In contrast, Sonnet 130 presents a more realistic and down-to-earth portrayal of the speaker's mistress, poking fun at the hyperbolic language and imagery often used in traditional love poetry.
In the first quatrain, the speaker begins by comparing his mistress to the sun, a common symbol of beauty and goodness in literature. However, rather than praising her beauty as the sun's equal, the speaker notes that her eyes are "nothing like the sun." This rejection of the typical love poem convention sets the tone for the rest of the sonnet.
The second quatrain continues the theme of comparing the mistress to natural elements, but again, the speaker finds her lacking in comparison. Her lips are not as red as coral, her cheeks not as white as snow, and her breath is not as sweet as perfume. These comparisons serve to highlight the speaker's honesty and realism, as he is not afraid to admit that his mistress is not the perfect, idealized being that is often portrayed in love poetry.
The third quatrain shifts focus to the mistress' hair, which the speaker admits is "black as if bereav'd of light." This line is a departure from the previous comparisons, as it does not directly compare the mistress to a natural element. Instead, it presents her hair as a lack of light, implying that it is not as bright or beautiful as it could be.
In the final rhyming couplet, the speaker concludes by stating that he loves his mistress despite her flaws and imperfections. He recognizes that she is not the idealized version of beauty presented in traditional love poetry, but he still loves her for who she is. This sentiment is a refreshing departure from the overly-romanticized language of typical love poetry, and it presents a more realistic and relatable portrayal of love.
Overall, Shakespeare's Sonnet 130 is a clever and humorous take on the conventions of love poetry. By poking fun at the exaggerated language and imagery often used in these types of poems, the speaker presents a more honest and down-to-earth portrayal of his mistress. In doing so, he celebrates the beauty and worth of his mistress in a way that is relatable and genuine.
