This is another Dark Lady sonnet. In this sonnet, Shakespeare describes a mistress of his. He begins by describing the way she looks. The first two lines are self explanatory; the woman isn’t as bright and beautiful as certain things, like the sun and coral. In line three, Shakespeare writes “If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun”. Dun means dark, like a brown or blackish hue. In other words, her skin is not white like snow. This is important because women at this time prized themselves on being pale and white. Shakespeare’s mistress does not look like the pretty women of the time. He goes on to say how he doesn’t see a flush in her cheeks like that of roses, and that he doesn’t smell the goodness that perfume has. He says how listening to music is better than listening to her speak. Lastly, he says he knows very well how goddess’ never touch the ground, and rather than walking they float. He admits that when she moves her feet hit the ground, so she is no such goddess. This sonnet is very much different than most other poems, because they are usually used to compliment a person, and this does just the opposite. Between the last line of the third quatrain and the beginning of the couplet there is a shift. “And yet by heaven I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare”. Shakespeare is indicating that other poets make false comparisons between mistresses and their beauty. His point of view is refreshing because he says he loves the woman even though she isn’t perfect, and rather than trying to build her up to be perfect, he loves her for who she is.
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