Name:_______________________________ Period: ________
Sonnet 130 (My mistress’ eyes ….)
By William Shakespeare
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 damasked, 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.
Name: __________________________________ Period: ____________
Sonnet 130 (My mistress’ eyes ….)
By William Shakespeare
Directions: Work to paraphrase the poem into its literal meaning, identify the
examples of figurative language and/or poetic devices, and determine the tone
of the poem and the poem’s theme.
How to analyze figurative language:
1. Identify and state the type of figurative language is being used.
(Simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, or alliteration)
2. Explain why it is an example of that device. If it is a comparison,
include both the tenor and the vehicle. The tenor is the subject of the comparison, the vehicle is
the image or idea that represents the subject.
3. Explain the idea the writer is expressing through the language. Don’t just define the term,
explain how and why it is used.
My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun; Lines 1-4 (Vocabulary): Define the following:
Mistress:
Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
Coral:
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
Label the rhyme scheme: Dun:
Line 1: Line 1:
What is the figurative language used? In Shakespeare’s time, the word mistress was
usually used as a term of endearment, like “my
love.” How does this definition add to your
Tenor: Vehicle: understanding of the comparison?
What is the effect of this comparison?
Line 4 (Figurative Language): Lines 1-4:
Type of figurative language: How are the first two lines different from the last
two in this stanza? Consider what the speaker
Tenor: Vehicle: says about the “mistress.”
What is the effect of this comparison?
Name: __________________________________ Period: ____________
I have seen roses damasked, red and white, Lines 5-8 (Vocabulary): Define the following:
But no such roses see I in her cheeks; Damasked:
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks. Reeks:
Label the rhyme scheme:
Lines 1-8:
What six complaints the speaker has made about his “mistress” thus far:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Line 8 (Connotations): Lines 5-8:
In Shakespeare’s time, the word reeks didn’t have The speaker is not always the poet. Who could the
the negative connotation that it does today. How speaker be?
does this change your understanding of the line?
To whom could the speaker be talking to?
What is the tone of the poem up to this point? Explain.
Name: __________________________________ Period: ____________
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know Lines 9-12 (Vocabulary): Define the following:
Grant:
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
Goddess:
My mistress when she walks treads on the ground.
Label the rhyme scheme: Treads:
Lines 9-12: Line 11 (Figurative Language):
How is the speaker being a bit nicer in these lines? What is the figurative language used?
Give an example.
Where?
What is the effect?
Lines 9-12:
What two critical statements does he make about his “mistress”?
1.
2.
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare Line 14 (Vocabulary): Define the following:
As any she belied with false compare.
Belied:
Label the rhyme scheme:
Line 13: Lines 13-14:
Where does the Volta occur? How do you know? Type of figurative language:
Tenor: Vehicle:
What is the effect of this comparison?
Name: __________________________________ Period: ____________
The poem overall
Who or what is the subject of this poem?
Who is the speaker of the poem? Remember, the speaker of the poem is not always the poet.
Pick two tone adjectives to describe the speaker’s attitude towards the subject.
Identify the poem’s central theme. What is the purpose of the poem overall? What is Shakespeare
suggesting about life?
Why do you think the poet only describes the physical features of his mistress? Nothing is written to
describe her personality. Why do you think this is?
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, how would you rate this sonnet as a love poem? Explain.
If the order of the poem’s lines were reversed and the speaker started by telling the mistress he loves her,
before mentioning the negative points, how would this change your view of the poem?
