what is the parody in shakespeare’s sonnet 130? he is making fun of an unattractive woman. he is making fun of the conventions of the blazon. he is using iambic pentameter to create parody. this sonnet has no examples of parody.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: He is making fun of the conventions of the blazon.
In Sonnet 130, Shakespeare parodies the traditional poetic form known as “blazon,” which was commonly used by poets to describe the physical beauty of their beloved. The blazon typically exaggerated a woman’s features, comparing them to elements of nature like the sun, stars, roses, or precious gems. However, in this sonnet, Shakespeare deliberately inverts these conventions to create a more grounded and realistic portrayal of his mistress.
For example, instead of praising her eyes as bright like the sun, he says “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun.” Instead of comparing her lips to coral, he declares “Coral is far more red than her lips’ red.” Each comparison subverts the traditional, idealized comparisons found in blazon poetry, replacing them with honest, less flattering descriptions.
This parody serves two main purposes. First, it critiques the unrealistic, hyperbolic nature of poetic conventions that elevate women to impossible standards of beauty. Shakespeare uses this subversion to highlight the absurdity of such exaggerated comparisons. Second, the sonnet ultimately underscores the poet’s genuine affection for his mistress. By rejecting conventional metaphors, Shakespeare suggests that love doesn’t need to conform to artificial ideals of beauty. Instead, true love can embrace the imperfect and the real.
Thus, Sonnet 130 offers a witty and ironic take on the blazon tradition, while also celebrating the authenticity of his love, making fun of literary conventions rather than the woman herself. This twist distinguishes the sonnet as both a parody and a sincere expression of love.