"My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun"
The first time I read through this poem I was shocked and confused. I had always taken Shakespeare to be somewhat of a romantic, but these comparisons sounded more like they were coming from a pig than a poet. After all what girl would stay with a man who thought all these things were so much better than her and that none of her features could compare? Then as I got to the last two lines I realized that Shakespeare wasn't being a jerk, but was being honest and that he actually did love her. When I picture the girl he is describing a picture her with dull eyes, average lips, black wiry hair, pale cheeks. But the most significant thing I realized when picturing her was that she seemed realistic. Shakespeare uses these comparisons to show that she is just an average but very real girl. She may not have a voice prettier than music or float on air to get around, but she is a real normal girl who Shakespeare loves. He is trying to express the truth behind his love for who she truly is. By sort of mocking all these comparisons poets normally make to express their love for someone, he actually shows that his love is deeper and more true. His love is not based on a girl with looks like an angel, but rather on an average looking girl whom he has fallen for. His love for her goes deeper than her physical features and he proves this by being somewhat harshly honest about what his lover looks like. Personally I'd rather him love me for who I am and tell me I'm pretty, but you can't always have it both ways I guess.
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