Sonnet 130: My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun

From The Poem Reader by Dominic Frisby

May 21, 2025 · 1 min

About this episode

Dominic Frisby reads and analyzes Shakespeare's Sonnet 130, exploring its themes of love and beauty.

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 damask’d, red and white,But no such roses see I in her cheeks;And in some perfumes is there more delightThan in the breath that from my mistress reeks.I love to hear her speak, yet well I knowThat 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 rareAs any she belied with false compare. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepoemreader.com

People in this episode

Host: Dominic Frisby

Topics covered

Shakespeare
Sonnet
Love
Poetry
Literature

Keywords

Shakespeare
Sonnet 130
poetry analysis
love
beauty
literature

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Sonnet 130