'Sonnet CXXXV' by William Shakespeare
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Whoever hath her wish, thou hast thy 'Will,'
And 'Will' to boot, and 'Will' in overplus;
More than enough am I that vex thee still,
To thy sweet will making addition thus.
Wilt thou, whose will is large and spacious,
Not once vouchsafe to hide my will in thine?
Shall will in others seem right gracious,
And in my will no fair acceptance shine?
The sea all water, yet receives rain still
And in abundance addeth to his store;
So thou, being rich in 'Will,' add to thy 'Will'
One will of mine, to make thy large 'Will' more.
Let no unkind, no fair beseechers kill;
Think all but one, and me in that one 'Will.'
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Beauty of Imperfection in Shakespeare's Sonnet CXXXV
William Shakespeare's Sonnet CXXXV, also known as "My Mistress' Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun," is a poem that defies the conventional descriptions of beauty in sonnets. Instead of idealizing his mistress and comparing her to objects of natural beauty, the speaker acknowledges her imperfections and suggests that his love for her is not based on physical appearance but on a deeper connection. This sonnet is a masterpiece of irony, humor, and genuine emotion, and it challenges the reader to reconsider their notions of beauty and love.
The Structure of Sonnet CXXXV
Sonnet CXXXV follows the traditional structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. However, the content of the sonnet deviates from the common themes of love and beauty found in other sonnets. The first quatrain introduces the idea that the speaker's mistress is not conventionally beautiful, and it uses a series of negative comparisons to describe her features: "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." The second quatrain continues this ironic tone and contrasts the mistress to idealized beauties, such as goddesses and rare gems: "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." The third quatrain shifts the tone and reveals the speaker's true feelings towards his mistress. He acknowledges that she may not be perfect, but his love for her is genuine and rare: "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." The final couplet of the sonnet reinforces this message and suggests that the conventional descriptions of beauty are mere illusions: "And yet by heaven, I think my love as rare, / As any she belied with false compare."
The Irony and Humor in Sonnet CXXXV
One of the most striking features of Sonnet CXXXV is the use of irony and humor to challenge the reader's expectations. As mentioned earlier, the first two quatrains of the sonnet use a series of negative comparisons to describe the speaker's mistress. These comparisons are not only ironic in their exaggeration but also humorous in their absurdity. For example, the speaker claims that his mistress' eyes are "nothing like the sun," which is a direct contradiction of the common metaphor of eyes being like the sun. He also suggests that her breath "reeks," which is a harsh criticism of anyone's hygiene but also a humorous contrast to the usual descriptions of a lover's breath being sweet like perfume. By contrasting the idealized beauty of conventional sonnets with the reality of his mistress' imperfections, the speaker creates a sense of irony and humor that is both refreshing and subversive.
The Deeper Message of Sonnet CXXXV
However, the humor and irony of Sonnet CXXXV are not just for entertainment value but serve a deeper purpose in conveying the speaker's message. By acknowledging the imperfections of his mistress and rejecting the conventional descriptions of beauty, the speaker suggests that love is not based on superficial appearances but on a deeper connection between two individuals. He loves his mistress not because she is perfect but because she is unique and real. This message is a radical departure from the typical sonnet that idealizes the object of love and reinforces the expectations of society. Instead, the speaker challenges the reader to consider their own notions of beauty and love and question whether they are based on reality or mere illusions.
The Significance of Sonnet CXXXV Today
Although Sonnet CXXXV was written over four hundred years ago, its message still resonates with modern audiences. In a world where beauty standards are constantly changing and individuals are judged by their appearance, this sonnet reminds us that true love is not based on superficial qualities. The speaker's love for his mistress is genuine and rare precisely because it transcends the expectations of society and values individuality over conformity. This message is especially relevant today when individuals are pressured to conform to unrealistic beauty standards and are often judged by their appearance rather than their character.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Shakespeare's Sonnet CXXXV is a masterpiece of irony, humor, and genuine emotion. By challenging the conventional descriptions of beauty and acknowledging the imperfections of his mistress, the speaker suggests that love is based on a deeper connection between two individuals. This message is still relevant today and reminds us that true love values individuality over conformity. Sonnet CXXXV is a testament to Shakespeare's mastery of the sonnet form and his ability to express complex emotions through language.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
William Shakespeare is a name that needs no introduction. His works have been celebrated for centuries, and his sonnets are no exception. One of his most famous sonnets is Sonnet CXXXV, which is a beautiful and unique piece of poetry that has captured the hearts of readers for generations.
Sonnet CXXXV is a love poem that is different from the typical love poems of Shakespeare's time. It is not a poem that idealizes the beauty of the beloved, nor does it compare the beloved to the beauty of nature. Instead, it is a poem that celebrates the imperfections of the beloved and the reality of love.
The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging that his beloved is not perfect. He says, "I have seen roses damasked, red and white, but no such roses see I in her cheeks." This line is a direct contrast to the typical love poems of Shakespeare's time, which often compared the beauty of the beloved to the beauty of nature. Instead, the speaker is saying that his beloved is not perfect, but he still loves her.
The speaker goes on to say that his beloved's breath is not as sweet as perfume, and her voice is not as melodious as music. He says, "I love to hear her speak, yet well I know that music hath a far more pleasing sound." Again, this is a direct contrast to the typical love poems of Shakespeare's time, which often idealized the beauty and perfection of the beloved.
The speaker then goes on to say that his beloved's eyes are not as bright as the sun, and her hair is not made of gold. He says, "And in some perfumes is there more delight than in the breath that from my mistress reeks." This line is particularly interesting because it shows that the speaker is not afraid to acknowledge the imperfections of his beloved. He loves her despite her flaws.
The poem then takes a turn, and the speaker begins to talk about the reality of love. He says, "I grant I never saw a goddess go; my mistress when she walks treads on the ground." This line is a direct contrast to the typical love poems of Shakespeare's time, which often idealized the beloved and compared her to a goddess. The speaker is saying that his beloved is not a goddess, but a real woman who walks on the ground.
The speaker then goes on to say that his beloved is not as pure as snow, but he loves her anyway. He says, "And yet by heaven, I think my love as rare as any she belied with false compare." This line is particularly powerful because it shows that the speaker's love is not based on the idealized beauty of his beloved, but on the reality of their relationship.
The poem ends with the speaker saying that he loves his beloved despite her imperfections. He says, "And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare as any she belied with false compare." This line is a direct contrast to the typical love poems of Shakespeare's time, which often idealized the beloved and compared her to the beauty of nature. The speaker is saying that his love is real and based on the reality of their relationship, not on an idealized image of his beloved.
In conclusion, Sonnet CXXXV is a beautiful and unique love poem that celebrates the imperfections of the beloved and the reality of love. It is a direct contrast to the typical love poems of Shakespeare's time, which often idealized the beauty and perfection of the beloved. The speaker acknowledges the imperfections of his beloved and loves her anyway, based on the reality of their relationship. This poem is a testament to the power of love and the beauty of imperfection.
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