Alan Rickman reads Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130 | Magical Voice

Sonnet 130 takes the unconventional route of describing one’s beloved plainly. It satirizes the notion of florid prose and instead goes for something realistic that one can relate to; eyes that don’t resemble the sun, lips that do not take after the coral hue, the scent of perfume dissipates, the voice lacks a rhythmic touch, and yet she is as comely as any woman. Sonnet 130: My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun by William Shakespeare My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips’ red; If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. I have seen roses damasked, red and white, But no such roses see I in her cheeks; And in some perfumes is there more delight Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks. I love to hear her speak, yet well I know That music hath a far more pleasing sound; I grant I never saw a goddess go; My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground. And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare.