In addition to the many plays for which he is famous, William Shakespeare also wrote 154 sonnets. Sonnets are an example of lyric poetry, or poetry which deals with emotions (although lyric poetry would originally have been sung). All sonnets have fourteen lines divided into three quatrains and one final couplet. Most of Shakespeare's sonnets share the theme of love. Sonnet 130 is one of the most well-known -- as well as one of the most amusing. Read the poem, answer the questions. My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips' red; If snow be white, why... Show more

In addition to the many plays for which he is famous, William Shakespeare also wrote 154 sonnets. Sonnets are an example of lyric poetry, or poetry which deals with emotions (although lyric poetry would originally have been sung). All sonnets have fourteen lines divided into three quatrains and one final couplet. Most of Shakespeare's sonnets share the theme of love. Sonnet 130 is one of the most well-known -- as well as one of the most amusing.

Read the poem, answer the questions.

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 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.
- William Shakespeare

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