Sonnet 132 Analysis - Literary devices and Poetic devices

Welcome, aspiring literary explorers, to a fascinating journey into the heart of one of William Shakespeare’s most intriguing sonnets. Today, we unravel the captivating complexities of Sonnet 132, a poem that challenges conventional notions of beauty and affection. Prepare to discover how Shakespeare masterfully crafts language to express a love that finds its unique charm in the unexpected.

Thine eyes I love, and they, as pitying me,
Knowing that my heart has no more to offer,
Have put on black and loving mourners be,
Looking with pretty ruth upon my pain.
And truly not the morning sun of heaven
Better becomes the grey cheeks of the east,
Nor that full star that ushers in the evening,
Doth half that glory to the sober west,
As those two mourning eyes become thy face:
O! let it then as well beseem thy heart
To mourn for me since mourning doth thee grace,
And suit thy pity like in every part.
Then will I swear beauty herself is black,
And all they foul that thy complexion lack.

Understanding Sonnet 132: A First Look

Sonnet 132 offers a profound exploration of love within the intricate relationship between the speaker and the mysterious “Dark Lady.” Unlike many traditional love poems that celebrate idealized beauty, this sonnet embraces a love that persists despite a perceived lack of reciprocal affection, finding beauty in unconventional places. It stands out for its unique perspective on what constitutes attractiveness, portraying a speaker who finds charm in the Dark Lady’s critical or pitying gaze.

The Central Idea: Unconventional Beauty and Enduring Affection

The central idea of Sonnet 132 revolves around the speaker’s profound affection for the Dark Lady’s eyes, which he perceives as reflecting pity or even disdain for his emotional state. Rather than being repelled by this, the speaker finds a peculiar beauty in their “mourning” appearance. This subverts traditional love poetry by valuing imperfection and emotional complexity, suggesting that true love can transform perceived flaws into sources of fascination and deep connection. The poem ultimately argues that the Dark Lady’s unique, dark beauty is the true standard, making conventional fairness seem “foul” by comparison.

A Deeper Dive: Analyzing Sonnet 132’s Craft

To truly appreciate Sonnet 132, one must examine the rich tapestry of literary and poetic devices Shakespeare employs. These techniques not only enhance the poem’s emotional impact but also deepen its thematic resonance, making it a compelling piece for any literary analysis.

Themes Explored in Sonnet 132

Unconventional Beauty: The poem boldly redefines beauty, moving away from the fair-haired, light-skinned ideal often celebrated in Renaissance poetry. The speaker finds profound beauty in the Dark Lady’s dark eyes, even when they express sorrow or pity. This theme culminates in the striking declaration:

Then will I swear beauty herself is black,
And all they foul that thy complexion lack.
Love’s Paradox: Sonnet 132 explores the paradoxical nature of love, where affection can thrive even in the face of perceived indifference or pity. The speaker is drawn to the Dark Lady’s eyes precisely because they seem to “mourn” for his pain, transforming what might be a source of sadness into a unique form of endearment.
Emotional Complexity: The sonnet delves into the nuanced emotions of both the speaker and the Dark Lady. The speaker’s love is not simple adoration but a complex appreciation of her eyes’ “pretty ruth” and “loving mourners” guise, suggesting a sophisticated understanding of human feeling.

Literary Devices: Weaving Meaning and Emotion

Metaphor and Personification: Eyes as Mourners
The most striking literary device is the extended metaphor comparing the Dark Lady’s eyes to “black and loving mourners.” This personifies her eyes, suggesting they actively participate in the speaker’s pain with a strange tenderness. The lines:

Thine eyes I love, and they, as pitying me,
Knowing that my heart has no more to offer,
Have put on black and loving mourners be,
Looking with pretty ruth upon my pain.

These lines imply a deliberate, somber guise, giving the eyes an agency and an emotional depth that goes beyond mere observation. The “black” color of her eyes is thus transformed into a symbol of sympathetic sorrow.
Imagery: Visual and Emotional Depth
Shakespeare uses vivid imagery to contrast the Dark Lady’s unique beauty with conventional standards. The lines:

And truly not the morning sun of heaven
Better becomes the grey cheeks of the east,
Nor that full star that ushers in the evening,
Doth half that glory to the sober west,

These images of sunrise and sunset evoke traditional, universally acknowledged beauty. However, they are immediately juxtaposed with the Dark Lady’s eyes, highlighting their distinctive and superior appeal. The “grey cheeks of the east” and “sober west” provide a subdued backdrop against which her eyes shine even brighter.
Contrast: Highlighting the Unusual
By juxtaposing traditional symbols of beauty, such as the “morning sun of heaven” and the “full star that ushers in the evening,” with the Dark Lady’s “mourning eyes,” the speaker argues that her unconventional beauty surpasses even these celestial wonders. The line:

As those two mourning eyes become thy face:

This elevates her eyes above all else, making them the ultimate standard of grace and attractiveness. The contrast emphasizes the speaker’s unique perspective on beauty.
Irony: Loving Pity
A profound irony lies in the speaker’s affection for the Dark Lady’s gaze, which reflects “pitying me” and “pretty ruth upon my pain.” Instead of being offended or saddened by this, the speaker finds it endearing. He loves her eyes precisely because they seem to acknowledge his suffering, showing a conscious acceptance of a complex emotional dynamic. The speaker even wishes her heart would truly mourn for him, suggesting a desire for deeper emotional connection through this unusual lens:

O! let it then as well beseem thy heart
To mourn for me since mourning doth thee grace,
And suit thy pity like in every part.

This reveals a love that embraces rather than shies away from emotional complexity.
Alliteration and Consonance: Musicality and Emphasis
Subtle repetitions of sounds add musicality and emphasize key ideas. The repetition of the ‘m’ sound in “mourning eyes” and “mourners be” enhances the sense of sorrow and empathy, drawing the reader’s attention to this central image. Similarly, the ‘l’ sound in “loving mourners” and “looking with pretty ruth” creates a gentle, flowing quality, even when describing pain.

Poetic Devices: Structure and Sound

Sonnet Form: Shakespearean Structure
Sonnet 132 adheres to the classic Shakespearean, or English, sonnet structure. This means it consists of fourteen lines written in iambic pentameter, following a specific rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This structure provides a disciplined framework for the speaker’s intense emotions and complex arguments, allowing for a clear development of ideas.
Iambic Pentameter: Rhythm and Flow
The poem’s consistent rhythm of iambic pentameter, with its five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables per line, creates a natural, conversational cadence. This rhythm mirrors the speaker’s introspective musings and persuasive arguments, making the poem feel both formal and intimately personal. For example, consider the rhythm in:

Thine eyes I love, and they, as pitying me,

This steady beat guides the reader through the speaker’s thoughts with a sense of measured grace.
Rhyme Scheme: Creating Connection
The ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme not only provides musicality but also connects ideas across the quatrains, building towards a powerful conclusion. The final couplet, with its strong, conclusive rhyme, delivers the poem’s ultimate assertion:

Then will I swear beauty herself is black,
And all they foul that thy complexion lack.

This couplet acts as a definitive statement, cementing the speaker’s redefinition of beauty.
Volta: The Turn in Thought
The volta, or “turn” in thought, typically occurs around line nine in a Shakespearean sonnet. In Sonnet 132, this shift is evident as the speaker moves from describing the Dark Lady’s eyes to making a direct plea and a grand declaration. The lines:

As those two mourning eyes become thy face:
O! let it then as well beseem thy heart

Here, the speaker transitions from observation to a fervent wish, urging the Dark Lady’s heart to match the grace of her eyes, leading to the ultimate redefinition of beauty in the concluding couplet.
Enjambment: Smooth Transitions
Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or clause across a line break without a pause, creates fluidity and guides the reader through the speaker’s thoughts without interruption. For instance, in the opening lines:

Thine eyes I love, and they, as pitying me,
Knowing that my heart has no more to offer,

The thought flows seamlessly from one line to the next, enhancing the natural rhythm of the speaker’s expression and drawing the reader deeper into the poem’s emotional current.

The Enduring Appeal of Sonnet 132

Sonnet 132 remains a captivating and thought-provoking poem, offering a unique perspective on love and beauty that transcends centuries. Its speaker’s willingness to find charm in the unconventional, to embrace emotional complexity, and to redefine aesthetic standards makes it a powerful exploration of human affection. By masterfully employing a range of literary and poetic devices, Shakespeare invites us to look beyond superficial appearances and discover the profound beauty that can reside in unexpected places. This sonnet truly teaches us that love often sees with its own eyes, creating its own definitions of what is beautiful and worthy of devotion.