Essays on Sonnet 130

In “Cousin Kate”, Rossetti gives messages about an abuse of power. The “Lord” “lured” the narrator to his “palace home”. The word “lured” is very ominous and enforces the idea that he is a figure with authority. He manages to seduce the narrator with his flattery, and then enthrals her like a predator with his…

In this slightly odd sonnet, he compares his beloved to everything under the sun. This was a typical gesture. He makes her seem almost unlovable, but then one sees that to him, her voice is music and everything about her is wonderful. She tops any goddess in her mortal beauty and approachability. Sonnet 130 is…