“How much we receive out of a poem depends on how receptive we are to its themes and language.”
While reading Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130, “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun,” I experienced two aspects of reading poetry: attitude and technique. I approached the poem with curiosity and found it interesting due to its realistic portrayal of love when he describes how he is in love with her cheeks. “I have seen roses damasked, red and white, But no such roses see I in her cheeks;’
Technically, I noticed the poem’s structure and use of language. The first line, “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun,” This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem by establishing that he is going to describe her honestly and realistically.
Through it, I learned to appreciate the unique way that Sonnet 130 looks at love and to understand Shakespeare’s literary techniques.
I also found that reading poetry requires both an open attitude and an eye for technique. Attitude allows us to appreciate the emotional impact of the poem, while technique helps us understand how the poet achieves that impact through structure and language.
