My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun
January 13, 2008
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 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 (1564 – 1616)
To me Shakespeare is the master of the manipulation of words to express the wide range of human emotions. His love poems are beautiful because the words expresses a vivid picture that lingers in our minds even after we read it. The words inspire some of us to give more in our relationships. Also, the powerful words even motivate some of us to reach a greater emotional height than we thought possible.
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day and Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments are two of his most well known and beloved poems. For some romantics out there, these two poems expresses the ideal emotions or beliefs of what love is like. Whereas I find the two poems at the top of the list of my favorite love poems, I have to admit his ” My mistress’s eyes are nothing like the sun” is also romantic in a weird way. I love this poem because it speaks of unconditional love. A man and vice versa should love each other unconditionally without doubt or reservation. I like the fact that in this poem the narrator admits his lady love is not the most good looking or most desirable to some people, but to him she is everything.
For some people looks doesn’t matter. Well, at least it is not the most important thing in a relationship. Is it just the romantics who believe that love conquers all or that love is blind? Are men more obsessed with physical beauty than women? What is the first thing a man notices about a woman? As for a woman, what does she notice first? The smile of a man or his physicality? Can a relationship endure once that beauty wanes or will the two lovers give into temptation? Do we blame human nature for everything because it is a cop out? Can religion, culture, and our background affect our relationship. For example, some people stay together because they take their vows literally, “Until death do us part”. However, for others, it’s more like until you screw up and I can’t stand you anymore or the grass is greener on the other side. Are men more tempted than woman by physical beauty?
Entry Filed under: Poetry. Tags: beauty, poem, relationship, shakespeare.
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1.
Dallas | January 15, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I believe the first attraction for both *HAS* to be a physical one. But
physical is not what keep the relationship going. There must be compromise,
understanding, respect, goals, friendship/partnership, Do give each other some
space.
2.
Laotian Teacher | January 16, 2008 at 6:01 am
Dallas, you are right first it has be be physical even if it is the first glance. Do you still remember the first time you saw your wife? Did you notice her smile? Her hair? Her shape?
Compromise is the key to keeping a relationship alive because there will be times where both person in the relationship will butt heads and be at each other’s throat! I also think a good sense of humor is important because sometimes you have to let loose and just relax with each other.