Anna O’Connor

English 220

Professor Paparella

3/2/2023

Have you ever wondered if the world would be structured the same without poetry? What

meaning does it bring to humanity in the modern day? Using different illuminating texts of poetry: Sonnet

130 (1609) by William Shakespeare and (Untitled – from the longer poem, Hekatompathia) (1581) by

Thomas Watson we see examples of word choice and rhetorical devices that help us understand different

perspectives we discover in the present day. In William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130, can be seen as a form

of an upside-down love poem. Sonnet 130 apprehends the fact that a woman’s natural beauty is one of a

rare convenience. Conventional exaggerations about a woman's beauty, as well as false or even poetical

metaphors, will not work in this situation. Hekatompathia by Thomas Watson conflicts with the upside-

down love poetry, bringing all the fascinating features to the woman in the sonnet(addressee). When

comparing the two pieces of literature, Hekatompathia by Thomas Watson continues to portray a

woman’s beauty in a damaging matter, emphasizing unrealistic beauty standards, while Sonnet 130 by

William Shakespeare approaches the topic of natural beauty in a realistic way, highlighting that the

woman in the sonnet(addressee) is very truly uniquely beautiful in natural form. Sonnet 130 also alludes

that other forms of poetry need to be realistic about the woman they love. When analyzing the text,

William Shakespeare’s use of language is far more powerful than Thomas Watson’s form of word choice.

Poetry should be looked at with such delicacy, close reading and analysis is the best choice when

initiating a point the author is trying to make. When applying textual criticism, readers can find in the first
two lines of Sonnet 130 (couplet) a contrasting absence of beauty where Shakespeare deliberates “My

mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far redder than her lips red if snow is white, why then her

breasts are dun” (1-2). The two lines of Sonnet 130 introduce the addressee, a woman. Shakespeare

describes the features, that this woman possesses in contrast to general beauty standards in the 1600s’

things like “nothing like the sun” and “Coral is far redder than her lips red” generally give readers a good

idea that Shakespeare is using exaggeration with comparison. Furthermore, the general context of

examples of literature phases like the Elizabethan Era (Italian forms and genres like the love sonnet, and

the allegorical inspiration for poets and actors.) can help readers with a better understanding and image of

Sonnet 130, questioning if Shakespeare’s’ poem was initially a backward response to general love poetry

during the 1600s. Differing from the point of realistic approach, Hekatompathia by Thomas Watson

alternatively expands on unrealistic beauty. In the sonnet, one can suggest that Watson revolves around

the ideal features of beauty for women stating, “Her yellow locks exceed the beaten gold; Her sparkling

eyes in heav’n a place deserve;” (2-3). These two lines in Hekatompathia generally can suggest the

addressee and what’s being described. Through the use of pronouns, one can assume that this addressee is

a woman. In comparison with Sonnet 130, both subjects are women, and how both are being portrayed.

Word choice can suggest the argument Watson is trying to make. Lines like “Her yellow locks exceed the

beaten gold;” can prove that Watson is emphasizing the impracticable gaze this woman holds when being

compared to different analogies. Furthermore, words like “exceed” can also allude to the point being

made. When deliberating which one is relatively stronger, it would be Sonnet 130. One can suggest that

Hekatompathia is more powerful due to the fact that it generalizes a woman’s beauty and captivates it in a

beautiful and enchanting matter. Although this point is rather arguable, Sonnet 130 links the idea of

beauty and the natural form of beauty, which when reading, are two different things. Even so, throughout

the entirety of both sonnets, readers can find the same point.
 Continuously, Sonnet 130 is abstract and structurally stronger and brings more of a more

powerful message to literature. In Sonnet 130, we find that Shakespeare changes up the form of word

choice when he states, “And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false

compare” (13-14). Shakespeare approaches the issue in a similar manner, describing the Mistress as not

being as highly regarded in the eyes of society. There is some truth to Shakespeare's exaggerated sarcasm

when he uses literary Shakespeare tools. Readers can discern metaphors whenever Shakespeare describes

his love interest in a negative light. Shakespeare continually dissects the woman's gestures by employing

figurative language and literature. Hekatompathia by Thomas Watson alternately expands on unrealistic

beauty, departing from the realistic approach. In Hekatompathia, Watson says that the woman has

printable features and fits in with the late 1500s beauty standards, saying “Her words are music all of

silver sound; Her wit so sharp as like can scarcely be found” This section of the sonnet can be observed

and analyzed to reveal that the woman portrayed in the poem is atomically beautiful. Poetry written in the

Elizabethan style often gains popularity or critical acclaim because it is thought to be beautiful or to have

a significant impact on the reader's mind, whether read aloud or privately. Given this style Watson chose

to follow, it almost seems as though both sonnets contrast with each other. One can question whether this

was one woman being addressed or was it a group of women being talked to through his use of writing.

Therefore, by contrasting various sonnets, we contribute to our comprehension of the concept of

genuine love, beauty, and time. They are interrelated: True love doesn't change over time, but beauty

does. Shakespeare's love is not based on physical beauty; rather, he loves his woman for all of her

imperfections. One of Shakespeare's most famous poems is Sonnet 130. It mocks the majority of

traditional love poems written during his time period by going against the Petrarchan love sequence,

pointing out the mistress' flaws while still loving her in the rawest, most honest way possible. In relation

to Hekatompathia by Thomas Watson, both sonnets address a similar topic however approach the matter

very differently. Through analyzing of different lines and segments of both sonnets, the view has
concluded that Sonnet 130 by William Shakespeare captivates the general approach of what a real natural

woman is. Furthermore, with the use of rhetorical devices like metaphors and exaggeration, readers

analyzed that Sonnet 130 is the delicately more realistic approach to beauty and how there is no limit to

finding out what’s truly beautiful.

Citations

“Sonnet 130” By William Shakespeare. (1609).

(Untitled – from the longer poem, Hekatompathia) Thomas Watson. (1581)