When William Shakespeare writes a play, he has a central idea that he wants the reader to understand. However, when the individual reads his work, the poems can affect him or her in a different way than Shakespeare intended. His poetry can also affect people differently when understanding the themes of poems. In his poem “My Mistress’ Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun,” Shakespeare compares his mistress’ physical features to society’s ideal of beauty in the 1600’s to prove that all women should express their individuality. In the poem “Sonnet 130,” Shakespeare’s viewpoint towards his lady is very controversial. In the seventeenth century, society had a distinct idea of how the women were portrayed. All women desired to look like Queen Elizabeth
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He mentions numerous physical traits that she has and compares them to how all of the other women’s physical characteristics. He continually states lines regarding his mistress’ physical appearance, rather than her mental characteristics. James Hale stated, “Throughout the sonnets that represent this affair, Shakespeare continually stresses the point that their relationship is based primarily, almost exclusively, on physical appearance and physical attraction” (Hale). This particular quote is essential in the fact that Shakespeare primarily bases his relationships on physical traits rather than personality. According to Shakespeare’s opinion on relationships, physical appearance is important, because he chose to a love a woman whose traits were not like all other women in that time period. Instead of choosing to love a woman that was a Queen Elizabeth clone, he chose to love someone that was far more different from the ideal woman in the seventeenth …show more content…
In the Elizabethan Era, women were treated highly and with respect. Women were almost idolized to the extent that they metaphorically stood on pedestals. The women floated on the ground, because they were in the upper class and so much higher than the average human being. However, Shakespeare’s mistress was unlike these women. He states, “I grant I never saw a goddess go; / My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground” (lines 11-12). Shakespeare is stating that his mistress was not idolized like the other women; therefore, she metaphorically treaded on the ground. She was seen as an average human being rather than a goddess. This quote is significant in understanding Shakespeare’s theme of his mistress accepting her physical qualities. In the poem, “My Mistress’ Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun,” Shakespeare uses precise descriptions of his mistress to portray that all women should not follow the physical ideas of the Elizabethan Era. He also states that he does not have to falsely compare his mistress to other women, like the other writers at that time wrote. Throughout the poem, Shakespeare continually compares his lady’s physical traits to society’s ideal characteristics to present the idea that all women should not follow the ways of Queen Elizabeth I and choose to embrace their physical
He mentions numerous physical traits that she has and compares them to how all of the other women’s physical characteristics. He continually states lines regarding his mistress’ physical appearance, rather than her mental characteristics. James Hale stated, “Throughout the sonnets that represent this affair, Shakespeare continually stresses the point that their relationship is based primarily, almost exclusively, on physical appearance and physical attraction” (Hale). This particular quote is essential in the fact that Shakespeare primarily bases his relationships on physical traits rather than personality. According to Shakespeare’s opinion on relationships, physical appearance is important, because he chose to a love a woman whose traits were not like all other women in that time period. Instead of choosing to love a woman that was a Queen Elizabeth clone, he chose to love someone that was far more different from the ideal woman in the seventeenth …show more content…
In the Elizabethan Era, women were treated highly and with respect. Women were almost idolized to the extent that they metaphorically stood on pedestals. The women floated on the ground, because they were in the upper class and so much higher than the average human being. However, Shakespeare’s mistress was unlike these women. He states, “I grant I never saw a goddess go; / My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground” (lines 11-12). Shakespeare is stating that his mistress was not idolized like the other women; therefore, she metaphorically treaded on the ground. She was seen as an average human being rather than a goddess. This quote is significant in understanding Shakespeare’s theme of his mistress accepting her physical qualities. In the poem, “My Mistress’ Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun,” Shakespeare uses precise descriptions of his mistress to portray that all women should not follow the physical ideas of the Elizabethan Era. He also states that he does not have to falsely compare his mistress to other women, like the other writers at that time wrote. Throughout the poem, Shakespeare continually compares his lady’s physical traits to society’s ideal characteristics to present the idea that all women should not follow the ways of Queen Elizabeth I and choose to embrace their physical