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The Significance of Shakespeare's Regards Toward His Mistress in "Sonnet 130"

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The Significance of Shakespeare's Regards Toward His Mistress in "Sonnet 130"
The Significance of Shakespeare's Regards toward his Mistress in "Sonnet 130" "Sonnet 130" compares William Shakespeare’s mistress to typical, natural beauty; each time drawing attention to his mistress’ obvious imperfections. He addresses her as if she cannot compare to the ideal appearances women are expected to look like in that of the natural world. The comparisons Shakespeare addresses highlight aspects of nature, such as snow (3)or coral (2) yet; each comparison proves to be unflatteringly about his mistress. However, in the final rhyming couplet, Shakespeare claims his love for his mistress by professing; that even though his mistresses has a great deal of flaws, he accepts them and loves her as much as any man could love a woman. In Shakespeare's, "Sonnet 130" he illustrates a true depiction of his mistress by emphasizing her flaws instead of her beauties, which provides emphasis on his sincere adoration and unconditional love for her through the line, "And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare" (13). Shakespeare cleverly shows the importance of a single line in "Sonnet 130" by showing how a specific line can alter an entire poem. If the line, "And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare" were to be absent from the sonnet it would change the overall meaning; instead of a love poem, a poem portraying his disgust. This would stray from Shakespeare's overall intention. Shakespeare wrote this poem to show his adoration towards his mistress not his distaste. This line emphasizes this, by simply stating how his love differs from a typical poem; allowing his readers to recognize that his love is rare. Shakespeare doesn't need to state unnecessary flattery to show his love for his mistress. This becomes an evident theme by the end of the sonnet with the help of the line, "And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare." The theme is expressed through this line because of the drastic switch where Shakespeare emphasizes his affection towards his mistress instead


Cited: Shakespeare, William. "Sonnet 130." 1609. Shmoop Editorial Team. "Sonnet 130 Rhyme, Form & Meter" Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 13 Feb. 2012.
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