You won't find perfect lines. Original and Russian versions
Sonnet Notes:
| * | Shakespeare's friends, most likely, knew who the sonnet was addressed to, knew that he simultaneously loved and hated the addressee, therefore, when instead of the expected word dark sounded dun(dirty gray, brown) and even intonationally emphasized as duŋ(a prison cell with a dung-covered floor) probably made them laugh. It could also be a reference to the phrase The dun cow(grayish brown cow). |
| ** | damasked roses- patterns on fabric in the form of a rose or blued steel (steel Rose). |
| *** | In Elizabethan times, hair was often compared to wires used for jewelry purposes and lavish embroidery. |
| **** | rare = precious(precious). |
| ***** | in this case the word belied used simultaneously in the meaning slandered and laid(seduced). |
More about this sonnet
My mistress "eyes are nothing like the sun(The eyes of my beloved are not at all like the sun) - from the first line, Shakespeare sets the general theme of the story. And although Shakespeare's sonnets have no names, in this case the first line more than ever successfully characterizes the general meaning, therefore, sonnet 130 is often addressed not by number, but precisely by this unofficial name. Versification of the first line is also popular in Russian. Her eyes are not like stars.In fact, we are faced with a parody of sonnets by Shakespeare's contemporaries, in particular Petraki, full of falsehood and insincere compliments, with the help of which flatterers, as soon as possible, slandered their addressees in false comparisons in order to quickly win their way into their bed. In sonnet 130, Shakespeare opposes himself to cliches and, without a shadow of delicacy, tries to convey to his beloved that, despite her earthly flaws that he honestly noticed, he loves her exactly as she is and does not give her any reproaches for this.
Unfortunately, none of the Russian translators succeeded in translating the sonnet correctly, since it is being translated as a lyric poem, bypassing inapplicable “non-literary” comparisons. Samuel Marshak, it seems, did not understand Shakespeare's intention at all or considered it unacceptable and, thus, removing all realistic epithets, turned it into one of those sonnets that Shakespeare parodied.
So for real, sonnet 130 is a sparkling parody to love sonnets, full of non-literary (by modern standards) comparisons and devoid of pathos. Simply put - this is a "joke" in a circle of friends. And not only other poets, but also adrestaks, which caused the fire of love and jealousy in Shakespeare. In any case, the sonnet ends on an honest and positive note in relation to the "swarthy lady".
Her eyes do not look like stars, You cannot call the mouth corals, The open skin of the shoulders is not snow-white, And a strand curls with black wire. With a damask rose, scarlet or white, The shade of these cheeks cannot be compared. And the body smells like the body smells, Not like violets, a delicate petal. You will not find perfect lines in it, Special light on the forehead. I do not know how the goddesses walk, But my dear steps on the ground. And all the same, she will yield to those hardly, Whom they slandered in comparison with the magnificent ones. Translation by S.Ya. Marshak All translations by Samuil Marshak I cannot compare the eyes of my dove with the sun; In comparison with the neck - of course the snow is whiter; Scarlet corals - scarlet than these lips, The wave of her curls does not shine with gold. Yes, I saw roses in distant Damascus, But you will not find those roses on her cheeks; Alas, her caress is not so tender, As the wonderful aroma that flowers emit! I love her speech, to say: she is softer than the sounds of music - I can’t in any way! Although the walk of a wonderful fairy is unfamiliar to me, - My beloved is familiar with a firm step! .. But I swear by heaven - that you are just as beautiful, Like those whom the flatterer is ready to praise biasedly! .. Translated by L. Umants Her eyes do not look like the sun , Coral is redder than her mouth, Snow with a sweet breast is not the same, From black wires her braid. There are many crimson, white, red roses, But I do not see them in her features, - Although there are many beautiful incense, Alas, but not in her mouth. I admire her grumbling, But the music does not sound at all like that. I don’t know how the goddesses act, But my lady’s step is not easy. And yet, I swear, she's nicer Than the best mortal next to her. Translation by M.I. Tchaikovsky All translations by Modest Tchaikovsky Her eyes are not sunny at all, Corals do not crimson on their lips; Not the white snow of my girlfriend's chest, I do not see the strings in my black hair. Al or bel color of a damask rose, But the eyes cannot find roses in her cheeks. And the perfume has a more captivating bouquet, Than this scent of breath. Her words are dear to me, But the music sounds much nicer; I am unfamiliar with the gait of a deity: My love steps on the ground. And yet she is no worse, no doubt, Any of the victims of insincere comparisons. Translation by Alexander Gurevich My lady's gaze is not the sun, no, And lips do not resemble corals; Her breasts are not snow-white, And her hair is coarse like wire. I saw many white, scarlet roses, But I don't see them on her bows, And the smell of black braids cannot be compared With the delight of famous incense; Her speech is dear to me, but I know that music is richer in benevolence; When my mistress steps, it is clear to me: the walk is not a goddess; And yet, no matter what I compare to her, She is dearer to me than anything else in the world. Translation by O. Rumer All translations by Osip Rumer My love's face does not look like the sun, Corals are brighter than her lips are burning, When the snow is white, then a beautiful breast does not resemble it, And her hair is silk - she does not have a cascade of them. I have seen many roses, strictly kept in gardens, But the dear one has no similar ones on her cheeks, And there are many better incense around, Than what rests on her lips. I love to listen to her babbling, but I know that the music sounds better and more tender, And I can’t match the steps of the goddesses. Quite the earthly steps of my beloved. And yet for me she is a hundred times dearer than all those whom it would be possible to compare with her. Translation by N.V. Gerbel All translations by Nikolay Gerbel Her eyes are not like the sun, no; The coral is redder than these scarlet lips; Darker than snow skin darker color; Like wire, black hair is coarse; Patterned roses in the gardens are countless, But they are not visible on her cheeks; And in the world there are many aromas; Her breath is sweeter and stronger; In her speeches I find joy, Though the music is more pleasant to the ear; I won't tell you how the goddesses walk, But they walk the earth, like everyone else, my friend. And I swear - she is not worse than all the same, Than those whom in comparisons glorify a lie. Translation by A.M. Finkel All translations by Alexander Finkel The eyes of the beloved sun cannot be overshadowed, Her lips are not redder than corals, And her chest is dark - you cannot compare with snow, Black as pitch, her head of curls. Alea, the roses of the south do not burn On the pale velvet, her cheeks, Fragrant flowers, delicate aroma Her breath does not flow at all. Mila and my heart pleases my Friend's speech, but the sounds of strings are dearer, There is no grace of a goddess in her: Beloved walks on the ground. But I swear that all comparisons are complete With her beauty next to - just a lie! Translated by A. Vasilchikov The radiant gaze of the dawn is brighter than lovely eyes, The corals are soft shine and brighter and softer The blush of your cheeks and your shoulders are whiter Snow, silvery in the valleys, like a diamond. In the gardens of half-day countries, with the quivering flicker of Burning silver and gold rays, The living kingdom of roses streams fragrances - And the roses of your lips are paler than their purple. Your voice is sweet to me, - but the sounds of slender songs In the azure haze of solemnly calm nights, the ear is more enchanting with living harmony. But believe me: for me all this imperishable shine of Heaven, earth and waters - all the wonders of the universe Burning with paints - everything fades before you! Translation by F.A. Chervinsky
Original text in English
Sonnet 130. My mistress "eyes are nothing like the sun
In this article, you can read the analysis of 130 of Shakespeare's sonnets, find out the history of the origin of this poem, and also to whom this sonnet was most likely dedicated. In addition, the article presents the original work in English and several translation options.
Original and Russian versions
Without reading the poem itself, it is impossible to analyze it. William Shakespeare "Sonnet 130" - original in English:
M 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;
Tf 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.
Literally, the poem can be translated as follows:
"My mistress's eyes are not like the sun,
The coral is much redder than the redness of her lips
The snow is white, and her chest is grayish brown for some reason,
Her hair is like wire, black wire growing out of her head
I saw red and white damask roses
But the shades of these roses are not on her cheeks,
And many flavors are much nicer
Than the smell coming from the breath of my mistress.
I love listening to her conversations, but I know -
It doesn't sound like the sound of music.
I've never seen goddesses walk
My mistress, at any rate, walks the earth.
But heaven can see my beloved is more exceptional
Those who have been tempted by false comparisons. "
This is how Samuel Marshak translated Sonnet 130:
Her eyes are not like the stars
You can't call your mouth corals,
Open skin is not snow-white,
And a strand curls with black wire.
With scarlet or white
The shade of these cheeks cannot be compared.
And the body smells like the body smells,
Not like violets a delicate petal.
You will not find perfect lines in it,
A special light on the forehead.
I don't know how the goddesses walk,
But sweetheart steps on the ground.
And yet she will hardly yield to those,
Whom in comparisons lavish slandered.
And here is Modest Tchaikovsky's translation:
Her eyes don't look like the sun
Coral is redder than her mouth
Snow with a sweet breast is not the same thing,
Of black wires is her braid.
There are many roses, crimson, white, red,
But I do not see them in her features, -
Although there are many wonderful incense,
Alas, but not in her mouth.
I admire her grumbling,
But the music doesn't sound like that at all.
I don't know how the goddesses perform
But my lady's step is not easy.
And yet I swear she's nicer
Than the best mortal next to her.
Analysis of 130 Shakespeare's Sonnets
The work is written in the style of a poetic portrait, the heroine of which is a certain lady who possesses exclusively "earthly" characteristics - she does not look like a goddess either in skin color, or in smell, or in gait. The key of the sonnet lies in the conclusion: despite the absence of "divine" traits, the author loves all the traits of the beloved woman, which make her exceptional. This description is contrasted with the false comparisons that are most often made to a woman in order to persuade her to intimate relationships.
An analysis of 130 of Shakespeare's sonnets shows that both Marshak's and Tchaikovsky's translation slightly loses the key meaning. Samuil Yakovlevich is close enough to Shakespeare's idea in the concluding lines, but he misses an important detail: at the beginning of the poem, the author calls the heroine a "mistress", and in the final part - "beloved."
This is important, since Shakespeare alludes to a similar poetry of his contemporaries, in which the always praised girl is first called beloved, and then becomes a mistress. The poet wanted to emphasize that he is describing a girl with whom he is already in a relationship, which means that his words do not pursue any selfish goal. And Tchaikovsky misses this important detail in his translation, and also distorts the meaning of the key: he does not mention those girls who believe comparisons with roses and goddesses.
To whom did Shakespeare dedicated 130 sonnets?
An analysis of the poem about an "earthly beloved" coupled with an analysis of the entire work of William Shakespeare of this period does not give an exact answer to the question of what kind of girl is described in the sonnet. Some researchers believe that Lady Mary Fitton, Elizabeth I and one of Shakespeare's lovers appear in the work. A portrait of this lady is presented below.
However, despite the fact that in all portraits Mary Fitton is depicted with dark hair, contemporaries describe her as "a dark blonde with white skin", which is not very similar to the description in the sonnet. It is much more likely that the poem is dedicated to the collective image of a girl of Italian or Spanish descent - the southern appearance was not very popular in England during Shakespeare's time.
Fair-haired girls with white skin and pink blush, light breathing and an inaudible gait were much more appreciated. An analysis of 130 of Shakespeare's sonnets suggests that at that time the poet could have been attracted by one of those southerner women whom the glorifying poetry of that time bypassed.
Feature of the work
This poem is one of the most recognizable in the work of the famous English poet. It is studied as part of the school curriculum and is quoted in songs and films. What makes Shakespeare's 130 sonnets so special?
An analysis of the work of the writer's contemporaries makes it clear that almost all portrait poetry deified its heroines, and comparisons of skin with snow, blush with roses, which Shakespeare opposes with the features of his heroine, have become real clichés.
With his poem, the poet wanted to emphasize the value and uniqueness of the natural qualities of the appearance of every girl and woman, for which one can feel no less feelings than for the invented images of ephemeral goddesses.
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