Sonnet 20: A Woman’s Face with Nature’s Own Hand Painted
A woman’s face, with nature’s own hand painted,
Hast thou, the master-mistress of my love,
A woman’s gentle heart, but not acquainted,
With shifting change as is false woman’s fashion.
An eye more bright than theirs, less false in rolling,
Gilding the object whereupon it gazeth.
A man in hue, all hues in his controlling,
Which steals men’s eyes and women’s souls amazeth.
And for a woman was the thing which thou,
Till nature as she wrought thee fell a-doting,
And by addition me of thee defeated,
By adding one thing to my purpose nothing.
But since she pricked thee out for women’s pleasure,
Mine be thy love, and thy love’s use them treasure.
Summary of Sonnet 20
Sonnet 20 is a meditation on the extraordinary beauty of a woman who blends both feminine and masculine qualities. The speaker calls her a “master-mistress of my love,” highlighting how she dominates his affection. The poem celebrates her androgynous charm and the way her presence captivates both men and women alike. Shakespeare invites readers to appreciate beauty that defies conventional gender boundaries and to recognize how love can be shaped by such a compelling, unconventional attraction.
Analysis of Sonnet 20
Central Idea and Key Themes
Sonnet 20 revolves around the theme that beauty can transcend gendered expectations. By addressing a woman who embodies both gentle grace and commanding presence, Shakespeare interrogates the limits of traditional gender roles and celebrates a beauty that is simultaneously feminine and masculine. The speaker’s devotion is not simply physical; it is a recognition of a unique, androgynous ideal that elevates the beloved beyond ordinary categories.
Detailed Analysis: Stanza by Stanza
- First Quatrain (Lines 1-4): The Paradox of Beauty
The poem begins with the paradoxical image of a woman whose face has been “painted” by nature, yet she is called a “master-mistress” of the speaker’s love. This linguistic blend already signals the merging of masculine and feminine attributes. The speaker also praises her gentle heart, contrasting it with the “shifting change” that marks conventional femininity, suggesting a steadiness that is unusual for women of the time.
- Second Quatrain (Lines 5-8): Captivating Gaze and Alluring Power
Here the focus shifts to the beloved’s eyes. They are described as brighter and more sincere than others, and their gaze “gilds” everything it touches. The line “a man in hue, all hues in his controlling” again blends masculine imagery with feminine beauty. The speaker notes that her presence “steals men’s eyes and women’s souls,” indicating the universal power of her allure.
- Third Quatrain (Lines 9-12): Nature’s Design and the Speaker’s Defeat
The speaker acknowledges that the woman was first created by nature, yet nature herself falls in love with the creation (“a-doting”). The next two lines admit that the speaker’s own love is insufficient: “by addition me of thee defeated” and “by adding one thing to my purpose nothing.” These lines reinforce that the beloved’s beauty eclipses even the poet’s own intentions.
- Concluding Couplet (Lines 13-14): Possessive Claim and Treasured Love
In the final couplet, the speaker declares that although the woman was fashioned to attract other women, he still claims the affection that she has earned. The phrase “Mine be thy love, and thy love’s use them treasure” signals a desire for mutual devotion and the recognition that love itself is a precious treasure.
Literary and Poetic Devices
Shakespeare enriches Sonnet 20 with a range of devices that deepen its meaning and musical quality:
- Metaphor: The entire poem can be read as an extended metaphor that likens the beloved to an artful creation of nature.
- Imagery: Vivid descriptions, such as “gilding the object whereupon it gazeth,” appeal to the senses and leave a lasting impression.
- Personification: Nature is personified as a loving creator who falls for her own work.
- Paradox: The opening lines juxtapose feminine and masculine qualities, producing a striking paradox.
- Iambic Pentameter: The sonnet follows the strict rhythm of iambic pentameter, giving it a musical cadence.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem adheres to the classic Shakespearean ABAB CDCD EFEF GG pattern, contributing to its formal unity.
- Enjambment: The continuation of phrases across line breaks creates a flowing rhythm and highlights key ideas.
Key Quotes for Discussion
Below are some of the most striking lines that illuminate the sonnet’s themes of beauty, androgyny, and the power of attraction:
“A woman’s face, with nature’s own hand painted,
Hast thou, the master-mistress of my love,
A woman’s gentle heart, but not acquainted,
With shifting change as is false woman’s fashion.”
These lines capture the central paradox: the beloved merges feminine grace with masculine strength, and the speaker’s admiration surpasses conventional expectations.
Conclusion
Sonnet 20 remains a compelling reflection on beauty that transcends gender and conventional limits. Through careful language, striking imagery, and poetic techniques, Shakespeare celebrates a woman whose charm captivates all. The sonnet’s lasting appeal lies in its exploration of how love can find its most authentic expression in beauty that defies easy categorization.