Question

"Sonnet 130" by William Shakespeare How is this love poem different from most others?

Answer 1

In Sonnet 130, Shakespeare mocks love sonnets. While other poems exaggerate the imagery to an unbelievable extent, Shakespeare presents a view of a woman that is realistic. Among the descriptions he gives, are the fact that her skin is not as white as the snow, perfumes smell much better, and music sounds much nicer than her speech. The poem, while still romantic, shows that while the woman is not as supernatural as the women of other poems, the writer's love is as strong as any other.

Answer 2

Although it is definitely a love poem, Shakespeare compares his love to an ordinary woman, saying things like her eyes are nothing like the sun.