Literary Analysis: Poetry

This question asks for the criticism of the mistress that is not mentioned in the given options. Option B, "I love to hear her speak," is not a criticism but rather a positive statement about the mistress. The other options all highlight negative aspects or comparisons that criticize the mistress in some way.

The correct answer is C. satirical. This can be inferred from the use of irony, sarcasm, and mocking tone in the sonnet. The poet is criticizing or ridiculing something or someone, which is characteristic of a satirical tone.

The correct answer is D. comment on the ordinary beauty of the speaker's mistress. This is evident from the content of Shakespeare's sonnet 130, where the speaker describes his mistress in a realistic and unconventional way, highlighting her imperfections and comparing her to natural elements. The sonnet challenges conventional beauty standards and celebrates the uniqueness and authenticity of the speaker's mistress.

The correct answer is D. "The lady I love is rare." This statement is not a metaphorical comparison. It is a straightforward statement describing the rarity of the lady the speaker loves, without using any figurative language or comparisons.

The speaker suggests that the traditional praise of mistresses by poets is false and not based on reality. This implies that the romanticized descriptions of mistresses in poetry are not accurate representations of the women themselves.

The correct answer is D. The contrast between the first twelve lines and the last two. This is because the speaker starts off the sonnet with a negative and critical tone, using metaphors that exaggerate and criticize the subject. However, in the last two lines, the tone shifts and the speaker expresses their true intent, revealing a sense of admiration and love for the subject. This contrast between the initial negativity and the final positive tone suggests that the speaker's true intent is to express their deep affection and admiration.

Based on the speaker's own description, the mistress can be best described as "ordinary". This suggests that she is not particularly beautiful or ugly, and does not possess any exceptional intellectual qualities. The word "ordinary" implies a sense of average or unremarkable appearance and intelligence.

The last two lines of the sonnet express the true feeling of the speaker. This suggests that the speaker's emotions and thoughts are genuinely reflected in those lines, indicating that they are honest and sincere in their expression.

The word "false" in line 14 refers to the ideal woman who does not really exist. This can be inferred from the context of the poem, where the speaker describes his mistress as being more real and tangible than the idealized and unattainable notion of the perfect woman. The word "false" suggests that the speaker views the concept of the ideal woman as something deceptive and untruthful.

The assumption in line 12 is that other women float above the ground. This assumption is made based on the context provided in the question, which suggests that the women being referred to are different from the narrator. Since the narrator is described as walking on the ground, it can be inferred that the assumption is that other women have the ability to float above the ground.

The first 12 lines of the sonnet are likely to poke fun at traditional love sonnets because they do not describe the speaker's love or give an angry description of it. Instead, they may use humor or satire to mock the conventions and clichés often found in traditional love sonnets. The lines may play with metaphors in a way that highlights their absurdity or exaggerates their romanticism for comedic effect.