My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far…
““My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips' red; If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. I have seen roses damask'd, red and white, But no such roses see I in her cheeks; And in some perfumes is there more delight Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks. I love to hear her speak, yet well I know That music hath a far more pleasing sound; I grant I never saw a goddess go; My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground: And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He rejects exaggerated metaphors, describing his lover with realistic, unidealized imagery, showing genuine love.
In simple terms: Real love sees truth, not false comparisons.
Key Takeaway
Value honesty over idealized praise.
Themes
love
realism
beauty
poetry
truth
Mood
reflective
intimate
thoughtful
Type
literature
romance
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- writing workshops
- literary analysis
- teaching poetry
Key Concepts
sonnet form
Elizabethan literature
subversion of poetic conventions
Questions to Reflect On
- What does authentic love look like?
- How do we balance honesty and kindness?
A Different Perspective
Some may view realism as unflattering; cultural standards differ.