Sonnet 130: My Mistress Eyes….the Sun

Question 1

Explain and extract the use of imagery in Sonnet 130.

Answer 1

-Shakespeare uses imagery in “Sonnet 130” to parody conventional Petrarchan love language.
-he uses ‘anti compliments’ (negative comparisons) to describe the uniqueness and beauty of his beloved

Question 2

What does the inclusion and repetition of the phrase ‘My mistress’ (lines 1. 8 and 12) imply about the speaker’s observations?

Answer 2

-These are HIS opinions.
-The observations are subjective/personal.
-They only pertain to this one lady.

Question 3

Comment on the effectiveness of alliteration in line 11 (1 grant I never saw a goddess go;) in terms of the pace of that line.

Answer 3

⚫The repetition of the ‘g’ sound slows down the pace of the line.
⚫ It mimics the way she walks - like a real person, she does not ‘float’.

Question 4

The speaker uses the word “yet’ twice in the poem (lines 9 and 13). Discuss the contrasting effects of this repetition by explaining what he is trying to convey in each of these lines.

Answer 4

⚫ The ‘yet’ in line 9 creates a way to state the OPPOSITE to the compliment he pays her about her voice/speaking. He negates the compliment. The ‘yet’ in line 13 creates a change in tone and content/intention. He states that he loves her exactly the way she is. No false compliments needed.

Question 5

How does the structure of this poem enable the speaker to communicate the central message? Refer to tone in your answer.

Answer 5

⚫ The 3 quatrains deliver the anti-compliments and the couplet the central
message. ⚫ The tone in the quatrains is sardonic/sarcastic/satirical/critical.
• In the couplet, the tone is sincere/honest/loving.