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Sonnet 130 By Amy Lowell Essay

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Sonnet 130 (1609) by William Shakespeare, and A Lady (1914) by Amy Lowell are both poems that discuss the theme of love, regardless of outer beauty. Sonnet 130 depicts a narrator describing a woman that is the opposite of everything society deems as attractive. Similarly, A Lady also has a narrator describing a woman who is aged, and not conventionally beautiful anymore. Both poems conclude with a statement where the narrator confesses their love and admiration for their woman. Despite being written nearly 300 years apart, the theme of love is prominent in both poems. Due to the difference in styles and era between the poets, the interpretation and expression of the themes can be contrasted. Shakespeare's style is heavily coated with similes, …show more content…

This difference in style, however, does not hinder the poet from effectively shaping the reader's understanding of the theme of love. Lowell also utilises metaphors and connotation to express the theme, similar to Shakespeare. The metaphors that are used have connotations to time and age, for instance; ''You are beautiful and faded". The use of the words "beautiful" and "faded" in the same line can be starkly contrasted. The word "faded" has associations to being decrepit and old. This suggests to the reader that the woman is old, but still beautiful. In the same line, the metaphorical comparison of the woman to an "old opera tune" reinforces the idea that the woman is aged, yet still pretty like an opera melody. In the second stanza, the line "smolder the fallen roses" furthers the idea of the woman being old yet beautiful. Roses have a connotation to beauty, but wilt and "fall" as time passes. Similar to Shakespeare, Lowell also uses words with connotations to something beautiful. For example; "opera tunes", "silks", "roses", "perfume", "new-minted penny" and "sparkle". These words all have connotations to beauty, elegance and grace, which supports the idea that the woman described is beautiful despite being old. The poem concludes with the persona declaring their love in the line "my vigour… I cast at your feet". Lowell is indicating that age and senility does not discourage one's love. Hence, Lowell's use of metalanguage shapes the reader's understanding of love, regardless of physical

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