Sonnet 130

Summarize the poem in your own words.

• The poem speaks about outer beauty that is more important than inner beauty

• The poet thinks beauty lies within

  Appearances do not matter

What is Shakespeare criticizing in this apparent love poem?

• People are superficial, beauty is more important than intelligence/conversation

• People should be aware of inner beauty

  Do not judge the outward appearance but the mind

How would you describe the speaker's tone in this poem?

• sincere

• dismissive

• ironic

• insulting

“My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground” What does the speaker imply about his lover in this line?

• She is powerful, she commands respect

• She is heavy and is not light on her feet

What point is the speaker making in the closing couplet?

"And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare

As any she belied with false compare."

• He says that there is no one like his lover

  She might not be physically appealing, however she is perfect in terms of her mind

• He says she is rare. There are few women like her

Why is there a simile at the beginning of the sonnet

• The woman likes similes
• This is a love poem
• Shakespeare likes similes 
• It mocks love poems

What does the word “dun” mean? 
As used in the sonnet

• Finished/ completed
• A white color
• A grey color
• Another word for snow

How does the tone of the poem shift?

• From critical to genuine
• From loving to obsessive
• From judgemental to loving
• From abusive to loving

What form is the sonnet written in?

• Iambic Hexameter
• Iambic Pentameter
• Haiku
• Sonnet Form

What is not a theme of the sonnet

• Love despite flaws

• Unconditional love

• Ridiculing beauty standards

• The impossibility of perfection