Sonnet 130: Anti-Petrarchian?
The Renaissance rose from the Middle Ages in the Sixteenth Century. It was a golden age of music, philosophy, architecture, art, and perhaps most importantly, literature. Many topics were written about and reflected on. Among these topics were romance and chivalry. Italian poet and scholar Petrach testifies to the popular use of courtship and love in his sonnets. In fact, these types of sonnets have been named Petrarchian. They tend to have a narrative tone and revolve around the theme of courtly love. Petrach’s “She Used To Let Her Golden Hair Fly Free” is a perfect example of this concept. It uses metaphor, and compares the woman in question to objects of perfection. William Shakespeare was another renowned poet and playwright of Elizabethan times. He wrote Sonnet 130, which has been recognized as “Anti-Petrarchian” on numerous occasions. In Sonnet 130, Shakespeare uses displeasing
Another literary device that both poets use in their sonnets is allusion. Petrach compares his lover’s appearance to that of a goddess, “She did not walk in any mortal way/But with angelic progress; when she spoke,/Unearthly voices sang in unison.” In that, he also hints at an immortal love-one that can stand the test of time, and even death. In the afterlife, his admiration for her will continue to flourish. Shakespeare, on the other hand, claims that while he’s never actually seen a goddess walk, he’s sure that his lover’s treads will be nowhere near as graceful nor divine. Again, the different intention that Shakespeare has while using the same devices that are usually found in Petrarchian sonnets make it appear to be more of a parody above anything else. It’s satirical tone rejects Patrarch’s form and content. Comparison of the women discussed to objects that symboliz
Some topics in this essay:
William Shakespeare,
Sixteenth Century,
Fly Free”,
objects perfection,
,
sonnet 130,
perfumes illustrate lover,
objects perfection roses,
references objects perfection,
illustrate lover beautiful,
roses perfumes illustrate,
references objects,
beautiful counters,
perfection roses,
satirical tone,
roses perfumes,
petrach’s reference,
petrarchian sonnets,
counters petrach’s,
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Approximate Word count = 604
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)
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