Sonnets

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1. 
   dymatsuoka

   The symbols Shakespeare uses in this poem serve to enhance the imagery he creates in describing everything his lady is not.  For example, he uses snow as a symbolic standard of a pure, pristine complexion, and his love, whose skin tone is "dun", does not measure up.  In a similar manner, Shakespeare uses the sun, roses, and music as symbolic ideals of the radiant eyes, rosy cheeks, and melodious voice that he would expect to find in a classic beauty, and again, his lady is lacking in these areas.  Shakespeare uses these symbols to create an image of the traditionally accepted measures of comeliness.  In a tone that is playful, tongue-in-cheek, and self-effacing in a way, he makes a comment on the importance of these measures, or perhaps on the foolishness of his own judgement.  Although his love is not a beauty, he loves her still.

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   Posted by dymatsuoka on Friday May 30, 2008 at 12:04 PM
   
   

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