why the tone of the poem 130 is ironic?
The poem "Sonnet 130" by William Shakespeare is known for its ironic tone. The irony in this poem arises from the speaker's description and comparison of his mistress to traditional beauty standards. Instead of praising his mistress using conventional, flowery language, the speaker opts for a more straightforward and honest approach, which seems initially disrespectful.
The poem opens with the line, "My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun," which directly contradicts the usual practice of comparing a lover's eyes to magnificent or heavenly objects. The speaker goes on to describe his mistress's physical attributes in a deliberately unflattering way, suggesting that her breath is less pleasant than perfume, her lips are not as red as coral, and her cheeks lack a natural blush.
However, the irony lies in the fact that despite the speaker's blunt descriptions, it becomes clear that he truly loves and appreciates his mistress. He emphasizes that although she may not possess the supposed physical perfection of other women, their love is genuine and based on deeper qualities. By using irony to contrast the conventional standards of beauty with the sincere admiration of the speaker, Shakespeare challenges societal norms and expectations.
Overall, the ironic tone in "Sonnet 130" allows Shakespeare to highlight the superficiality of conventional beauty while celebrating the authenticity and individuality of the speaker's mistress.