Read the following poem
Sonnet 130
William Shakespeare
My mistress[1]’ 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[2];
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked[3], 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[4].
[1] My mistress: the woman I love
[2] Dun: a dull grayish-brown color
[3] Damask: fine fabric, often embroidered with flowers
4] As any she belied with false compare: As anyone who was described with false comparisons
Write an essay (with an intro, body and conclusion) that develops your own argument in response to the question. How is the speaker of this poem describing the woman he loves? How should she feel about this description?
