Name:
Date:
Poetry Friday Poem
Directions:
1. Read and re-read the poem.
2. Annotate the poem
a. Identify figurative language
b. Translate lines you’re struggling with
c. Look up any difficult words and write their definitions in
3. Answer the Poem Analysis questions
Period:
DUE: FRIDAY
OCTOBER 10th
Sonnet 130 – 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 damask’d, 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.
Poem Analysis
Literal Meaning
After you read the poem, what does the literal meaning seem to be? What is happening in the poem?
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Imagery
Pick out three uses of sensory details/imagery and write them below (this will most likely be a phrase or line from
the poem), then explain what the poet is trying to convey with this image.
1. IMAGE: _______________________________________________________________________________
MEANING:____________________________________________________________________________
2. IMAGE: _______________________________________________________________________________
MEANING:____________________________________________________________________________
3. IMAGE: _______________________________________________________________________________
MEANING:____________________________________________________________________________
Name:
Date:
Period:
Figurative Language
Find at least five examples of figurative language devices (this will most likely be a phrase or line from the poem),
identify it, and explain what they mean. You are looking for terms like: simile, metaphor, allusion, symbolism,
personification, oxymoron, hyperbole, etc.
1. Figurative Language: _____________________________________________________________________
MEANING:____________________________________________________________________________
2. Figurative Language: _____________________________________________________________________
MEANING:____________________________________________________________________________
3. Figurative Language: _____________________________________________________________________
MEANING:____________________________________________________________________________
4. Figurative Language: _____________________________________________________________________
MEANING:____________________________________________________________________________
5. Figurative Language: _____________________________________________________________________
MEANING:____________________________________________________________________________
Theme
What do you think is the message of this poem? Why do you think this is the message? Give at least two reasons
from the poem—these should be answers you’ve already written on this sheet
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Personal Response
Did you like this poem? Why/Why not?
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Need help understanding the poem? Check out any OR all of the following:
 http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/shakesonnets/section9.rhtml

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/sonnets/130detail.html

http://www.gradesaver.com/shakespeares-sonnets/study-guide/section13/

http://www.shmoop.com/sonnet-130/analysis.html