Shakespeares My Mistress' Eyes are nothing like the Sun - Essay Example

Analysis essay of Shakespeare’s "My Mistress eyes are nothing like the sun" William Shakespeare, the renowned playwright who was the national poet ofEngland, produced 154 sonnets and other poems in his lifetime. The sonnets, published in 1609, were written throughout his career aiming his close relatives and friends. The person who is addressed in these sonnets is not yet clear and there are several theories related to the identity of this person. The sonnet CXXX is a love poem comparing the mistress’ beauty to different natural images. Thesis statement: Is the sonnet CXXX a love poem or not. In this sonnet, the poet compares his lover to a number of other beauties in the natural and the supernatural world. The poet’s affection towards his lover is evident in his words, and he very well knows that her beauty is less, but important. The mistress’ beauty is compared to the sun; her lips are compared to that of coral, her breasts to that of white snow, and her hair is compared to black wires. Again, the poet compares her cheeks to Rose flowers which are red and white in color, and her breath is compared to the fragrance of perfume. In the third quatrain, speaker compares her sound to music, and to a goddess who walks in the ground. It ends with a couplet in which the speaker declares that his love is rare and valuable. The speaker is in a satirical mood against the false comparison of love which was common in the traditional sonnets in early 1600s. This sonnet is selected for analysis because it helps one to have an idea about the private life of Shakespeare and the power of true love poem. It is argued that sonnet CXXX is a pure love poem and is strictly against the traditional sonnet pattern of the 16th century in England. Besides, Shakespeare is mocking the sonneteers of the 16th century who attempted to select extraneous objects to compare their lovers. Henry Brown, in his work-‘The sonnets of Shakespeare solved, and the mystery of his friendship, love, and rivalry revealed’ reflects that: “A satirical picture of the mistress, in contrast to the high-flown terms used by the sonneteers of the day” (Brown 134) the sonnet contains a satirical portrayal of the mistress, which lacks in the traditional sonnets of 16th century. It is a controversial issue that the character of the mistress is fictitious or autobiographical. If the character is real, her identity is open to debate. But it is clear that the sonnet CXXX is addressed to a lady by pointing out the words like ‘mistress’, ‘her’, etc used by Shakespeare. Personally, the sonnet is a love poem and there is ample evidence to prove the same. The expression of love towards beloved by comparing to animate and inanimate objects in the physical and supernatural world is the key factor of love poems/sonnets. In this perspective, the sonnet CXXX is a love poem and there are numerous evidences to prove the same. In the first quatrain, the speaker compares his mistress’ eyes to the Sun. William Shakespeare- in his work- ‘Shakespeares Sonnets’, makes clear that: “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun” (Shakespeare 136) his mistress’ eyes are not like the Sun, which is hot and shining. Here, it is clear that Shakespeare very well knows that her eyes are so different from the Sun. Besides, sun is hot and glowing but his mistress’ eyes are animate and comparison is limited. When the poet tries to compare the parts of his mistress to natural elements, he came to know that his beloved’s beauty is incomparable. By quoting Shakespeare: “but no such roses see I in her cheeks” (Shakespeare 136) the beauty of coral, roses etc are not equal to his mistress’ lips and cheeks. This fact proves that his love is genuine and everlasting. Besides, the poet is not ready to do irrelevant comparisons to prove his love towards his beloved. For instance, in the last part of the second quatrain, he points out that fragrance of perfume is sweeter that his mistress’ breathe. As she is a human being, comparison with perfume is irrelevant. Shakespeare knows that physical attraction related to feminine beauty is not constant and everlasting, but the feeling of love is. The quatrains of the sonnet seem to be negative in tone but the couplet proves that the poet is in positive attitude towards true love. Besides, poet knows that his love is intense and there is no use of false comparisons to prove the intensity of his love. The poet is ready to accept the reality that his lover is not so beautiful and pure. In addition, the sonnet is a mockery at the false impression of love created by traditional love poems which were common in the 16th century. The sonnet reveals the perceptions and expressions of the poet on an unconditional love. The poet is not ready to praise his beloved with sweet words because he knows that his lover is not so beautiful. For instance, the word-‘snow’ symbolize purity but the word ‘dun’ which is used by the poet to denote his lover signifies the she is not pure. By quoting Shakespeare, it is evident that: “That music hath a far more pleasing sound” (Shakespeare 136) The poet makes clear that music is more pleasing than his lover’s sound and it a real fact. Here, the poet wants to prove his love through action not through false words of appraisal. In addition, the poet does not attempt to portray a beautiful woman, but a true woman with true love beyond imagination and irrelevant comparison. Moreover, Shakespeare knows that beauty and health will fade with time but the real feeling of love will be eternal. By quoting Shakespeare: “I think my love as rare” (Shakespeare 136) the poet’s love towards his beloved is so rare and it is evident in his words. So, the Sonnet CXXX is truly a love poem with a different interpretation of love. But it is argued that Shakespeare’s sonnet CXXX create false impression about love and creativity of love poets. It is real that any lover likes to compare his beloved to the most beautiful thing in the world. Instead, Shakespeare points out that his mistress is less beautiful to the sun, coral, Rose flower etc. Her voice is not musical, her breath is not sweet and she is only a human being who is down to earth. When plain words without any exaggeration are used to denote mistress’ beauty, the aim of the love poem is incomplete. Something somewhere is missing and the poem is a failure as a love poem. None can argue that the poem leads to true love. But these arguments are improper because Shakespeare’s sonnet CXXX is a mockery against the traditional love poets and a shocking experience to lovers. Before summing up, the argument – ‘sonnet CXXX is a love poem’ is confirmed with the help of immense evidence by provided by the poet in his sonnet. The analysis reveals that true love is beyond explanation, and is a shock to traditional love poets and fake lovers. The counter argument is less relevant because the aim of the poem is to point out the value of true love. Besides, the complex individuality and personal life of the poet adds more to the work as a genuine sonnet. Works cited Shakespeare, William. Shakespeares Sonnets. Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1865. Brown, Henry. The sonnets of Shakespeare solved, and the mystery of his friendship, love, and rivalry revealed. Adamant Media Corporation, 1870. Read More