Question

in sonnet 130, the speaker is cynical about the usual ways of praising a beloved person. do you share the speakers attitude?

Answer 1

The speaker in Sonnet 130 by Shakespeare uses a realistic approach to describe his beloved, which differs from the typical romantic idealization of love. Agreeing with this approach is subjective and inspires reflection on poetic expressions of romance.

Step-by-step explanation:

The speaker in Sonnet 130 by William Shakespeare expresses a satirical take on typical romantic comparisons, suggesting a more realistic approach to describing his beloved, countering idealized poetic conventions. Instead of likening his mistress to goddess-like beauty and perfection, he points out her human imperfections, which serves as a refreshing take on love that values authenticity over hyperbole. This contrasts with other poets of the same era, such as Edmund Spenser, who embrace the idealization in their romantic expressions.

Whether one agrees with this attitude is subjective. For some, the realistic portrayal signifies a truer form of love, free from unrealistic expectations, while others might find such directness less romantic. In literary discussions, this prompts a reflection on the nature of love and how it should be expressed through poetry. Ultimately, Shakespeare's sonnet serves to question poetic norms and encourages readers to consider the sincerity behind the words of adoration.

Answer 2

In sonnet 130, the speaker is making fun of the conventional poetry in Elizabethan England. The sonnets of that time followed the Petrarchan style, using beautiful metaphors to praise an idealised female lover, admiring her beauty and her worth.

I think that writing this sonnet, Shakespeare is mocking a style that had already become cliché at that time. Also, I share the speakers attitude in the way that the idealization of a love interest in such manner, often leads to the creation of beauty standards that are far from the truth and can have negative consequences in the people trying to adhere to them.