Question

sometimes nature is more willing to step out of its comfort zone than humans
sonnet 130
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 hair be wires, black wires grow on her head.
i have seen roses damasked, 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.
8
multiple choice 10 points
what is the theme of \sonnet 130\?
outer beauty is more important than inner beauty.
there is more to love than superficial appearances.
people get less beautiful as one gets to know them.
men have false impressions of what women should look like.
9
multiple choice 10 points
what is the meaning of the phrase \i have seen roses damasked, red and white, / but no such roses see i in her cheeks,\ as it is used in lines 5 - 6 of the poem?
the speaker thinks his mistress cheeks are the color of roses.
the speaker thinks his mistress cheeks are brightly colored.
the speaker thinks his mistress checks are like rich fabric.
the speaker thinks his mistress cheeks are not pink.
10
multiple choice 10 points
how do lines 13 - 14 add to the poems meaning?
they break the previous pattern of the poem by complimenting the speakers mistress.
they continue to describe the appearance of the speakers mistress.
they explain what the speakers mistress really looks like.
they compliment the speakers mistress personality.

Explanation:

• Question 8: The sonnet contrasts the mistress's appearance with idealized beauty (sun, coral, snow, roses, music, goddess) but still loves her. This shows love is more than superficial looks.
• Question 9: The speaker says he's seen roses (red and white, like damask - a rich fabric) but not on her cheeks. So her cheeks aren't like roses (pink).
• Question 10: The previous lines criticize her appearance (not like sun, coral etc.), but lines 13 - 14 say "And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare / As any she belied with false compare" - a compliment breaking the previous critical pattern.

Answer:

• Question 8: There is more to love than superficial appearances.
• Question 9: The speaker thinks his mistress' cheeks are not pink.
• Question 10: They break the previous pattern of the poem by complimenting the speaker's mistress.