Sonnet 130

Question 1

Main speaker

Answer 1

A man talking about his lover

Question 2

Main themes

Answer 2

Love, Humanity, truth, beauty, humour

Question 3

Imagery

Answer 3

Shakespeare uses imagery to reject the ideas of traditional beauty by using metaphors and similes and metaphors to show that his lovers eyes aren’t bright and warm and that their skin isn’t as white as snow. This continues through the poem as he allows us to create an image of his lover through this descriptions

Question 4

Main Language Features

Answer 4

Similes, metaphors, repetition, hyperbole

Question 5

Tone

Answer 5

The tone of this poem is cynical as he is criticising her features although he does this is a humours way.

Question 6

Structure

Answer 6

The poem has 3 4 line stanzas and ends on a 2 line stanza. It is written in a formal style. First person.

Question 7

Context

Answer 7

England’s most celebrated dramatist and poet
His works have been translated into 80 languages
He was born in 1554, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I
Was 18 when he married 26-year-old Anne Hathaway in 1582. She was three months pregnant with their first child
The years 1585 to 1592 are lost years. At some point Shakespeare went to London - leaving his family in Stratford - and established himself as a playwright and actor
His work attracted royal attention - he acted in several performances before Queen Elizabeth I
Shakespeare published 154 sonnets which explored themes of love, sex and beauty Died in 1616.

Question 8

Could be compared with.