-“Eye of heaven” –metaphor
Shakespeare uses this metaphor to immortalise his lover and paint him in a heavenly way.
-“His gold complexion dimm’d”-personification
This makes reference to the hot sun which fades his lover’s complexion.
- “and…and…and”- repetition
The repetition engages the reader, and builds suspense.
Shakespeare uses these poetic devices to produce a more vivid image for the reader; it also works to draw attention to certain lines. Sonnet 18 is typical of a sonnet in that it uses poetic imagery, as well as containing a strong theme of nature.
Sonnet 130 varies from sonnet 18. It varies in the fact that it suggests that the poet’s lover is inferior to the typical images of nature. This differs greatly from the norm and incorporates an almost comedic value. In sonnet 18 “my mistress eyes are nothing like the sun” is an opposite of the usual simile. He continues in this fashion with the line “in some perfumes is there more delight than in the breath that from my mistress reeks”- in these fraises the poet concedes that his lovers breathe this not as sweet as some perfumes. Shakespeare tone in sonnet 18 is one of cynicism and parody. The poet would seem to be rejecting the established ideal of beauty. Even thought the sonnet could be seen as an insult to his mistress Shakespeare ends t5he sonnet with the line “I think my love as rare as any she belied with false compare” this would seem to contrast the rest of the poem. Shakespeare continues in this fashion and seems to adopt the style of a more typical sonnet. He continues in this fashion going on to say that his lover is as beautiful as any woman written about in a more traditional sonnet. Sonnet 130 doesn’t rely heavily on poetic devices like other sonnets. Shakespeare uses a sarcastic tone in sonnet 18 as instead of comparing his love to beautiful things, which is what usually happens, Shakespeare instead denies these similarities. Sonnet 130 is very unconventional in both its message and its use of poetic devices. It gives a more truthful, realistic account of love.
The sonnet begins with the poet almost insulting his lover by suggesting she is tyrannous “thou art as tyrannous, as thou art, as those who’s beauties make them cruel”. After this the poem returns to a more similar format, b making complimentary statements about how beautiful his love as well as making complementary statements about his lovers beauty. The poet makes statements such as well thou know’st to my dear doing heart thou art the fairest and most precious jewel” this line is contrary to the start of the poem which is in a sarcastic and insulting tone. The flattery continues until the end of the poem when Shakespeare describes his lover negatively in terms of her personality “In nothing art thou black save thy deeds” this suggests that Shakespeare mistresses has a darker side which leads to people speaking badly of her. “And hence this slander, as I think, proceeds” this is uncharacteristic of a sonnet, as they are usually about a persons physical appearance and rarely talk of there personality. Like sonnet 18 this sonnet uses a wide range of poetic devices. These are
“Thou art tyrannous “- simile this compares his lover,, this helps us to build but a mental picture of her personality.
“Thou art the fairest and most precious jewel”- metaphor this helps us to understand what Shakespeare’s mistresses means to him.
“Some say”- alliteration is used to make the writing flow and have a memorable feel.
However the 0verall message of the sonnet contradicts what would be expected from a sonnet from this time frame. Shakespeare, in sonnet 131, was keen to demonstrate a more realistic view of love, and doses not simply compare his lover to a range of beautiful things but instead talks of her dark side as well as her downfalls and imperfections.
These 3 sonnets have very different messages and display contradicting ideas of love. Sonnet 18 is traditional and includes the general themes that would be expected in a sonnet of its time while sonnet 130, thought carrying a strong message of love, expresses it in a different way. On the other had sonnet 131 is unique in that it is almost sarcastic, though the poet writes of his love of his mistresses as well as his lovers beauty but unusually for the period he insults her character which contradicts the norm for this type of poetry.
Overall Shakespeare has proven a controversial and thought provoking poet whom redefined the English language, but most of all he has withstood the test of time.