A woman’s face with nature’s own hand painted,
Hast thou, the master mistress of my passion;
A woman’s gentle heart, but not acquainted
With shifting change, as is false women’s fashion:
An eye more bright than theirs, less false in rolling,
Gilding the object whereupon it gazeth;
A man in hue all hues in his controlling,
Which steals men’s eyes and women’s souls amazeth.
And for a woman wert thou first created;
Till Nature, as she wrought thee, fell a-doting,
And by addition me of thee defeated,
By adding one thing to my purpose nothing.
But since she prick’d thee out for women’s pleasure,
Mine be thy love and thy love’s use their treasure.
Line 1: “A woman’s face with nature’s own hand painted,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Nature’s own hand painted – Created naturally, not artificially; crafted by nature itself.
Explanation & Context:
Shakespeare begins by describing the subject of the poem as having the beauty of a woman’s face, crafted by nature itself. This suggests a perfect, unblemished beauty that is not artificial or painted with makeup but rather formed naturally.
This opening line sets the tone for the poem, as the poet admires the subject’s striking appearance. However, as the poem unfolds, it becomes clear that this is not a conventional love poem directed toward a woman. The poet is speaking of a young man who possesses both masculine and feminine beauty, blurring traditional gender lines.
Line 2: “Hast thou, the master mistress of my passion;”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Hast thou – You have (old English form).
- Master mistress – A blend of both masculine and feminine qualities.
- Passion – Love, deep affection, or strong emotion.
Explanation & Context:
Shakespeare addresses this young man as the “master mistress” of his passion, reinforcing the idea that he embodies both male and female beauty. This phrase captures the dual nature of the beloved—possessing the attractiveness of a woman but with the qualities of a man.
This line also suggests the poet’s deep emotional connection to the young man. While “passion” can refer to romantic love, it could also indicate admiration or devotion, highlighting Shakespeare’s complex feelings toward the subject.
Line 3: “A woman’s gentle heart, but not acquainted”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Gentle heart – Kind, tender, or compassionate nature.
- Not acquainted – Not familiar with or not influenced by.
Explanation & Context:
The poet attributes to the young man a “woman’s gentle heart,” meaning he possesses kindness and emotional sensitivity, qualities traditionally associated with femininity. However, unlike some women (as Shakespeare suggests in the next line), he is not affected by fickleness or inconstancy.
Shakespeare continues to build on the androgynous nature of his beloved—he has a woman’s beauty and tenderness but lacks the flaws that the poet criticizes in women of his time.
Line 4: “With shifting change, as is false women’s fashion:”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Shifting change – Inconstancy, frequent change in behavior or feelings.
- False women’s fashion – The tendency of some women to be deceitful or unfaithful.
Explanation & Context:
Shakespeare contrasts the young man with what he perceives as a flaw in women—fickleness or a tendency to change easily. The phrase “false women’s fashion” implies that women are often inconsistent or deceitful in love, but his beloved is not.
This line reflects Renaissance stereotypes about women’s inconstancy in relationships. While it may seem critical of women, the main point is to emphasize the steadfastness of the young man.
Line 5: “An eye more bright than theirs, less false in rolling,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Eye more bright – More radiant, lively, or expressive.
- Less false in rolling – More honest, not deceitful in the way it moves (i.e., not flirting deceptively).
Explanation & Context:
The young man’s eyes are described as being more radiant than those of women and, importantly, more truthful. The idea of “false rolling” refers to flirtatious glances that may be deceptive or misleading, a trait Shakespeare criticizes in women.
Again, the poet idealizes his beloved by giving him the best aspects of both genders—beauty and honesty. The eyes, often seen as windows to the soul, suggest that the young man is sincere in his emotions.
Line 6: “Gilding the object whereupon it gazeth;”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Gilding – Making something appear golden or more beautiful.
- Object whereupon it gazeth – Whatever the young man looks at.
Explanation & Context:
Shakespeare suggests that whatever the young man looks upon becomes more beautiful. This is an exaggeration, a poetic way of saying that his gaze has a transformative power. It elevates whatever he sees, much like the sun’s golden light enriches the world.
This line further idealizes the beloved, suggesting that his beauty and purity are not just personal traits but ones that affect and enhance the world around him.
Line 7: “A man in hue all hues in his controlling,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Hue – Color, appearance, complexion.
- All hues in his controlling – Mastery over all shades of beauty, or admired by all.
Explanation & Context:
The young man is described as a “man in hue,” meaning his appearance is distinctly male. However, he has “all hues in his controlling,” which could mean either that he embodies all aspects of beauty or that he has the power to captivate all people, regardless of gender.
This line strengthens the idea that the young man transcends conventional beauty norms—he is attractive to all, defying traditional gender classifications.
Line 8: “Which steals men’s eyes and women’s souls amazeth.”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Steals men’s eyes – Captivates or draws the attention of men.
- Women’s souls amazeth – Astonishes and mesmerizes women.
Explanation & Context:
Shakespeare asserts that the young man is so strikingly beautiful that he attracts both men and women. Men admire him, possibly out of envy or admiration, while women are captivated by his beauty.
This line reinforces the androgynous nature of the beloved, who embodies an appeal that transcends gender boundaries.
Line 9: “And for a woman wert thou first created;”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Wert thou – You were.
- First created – Initially intended to be.
Explanation & Context:
Shakespeare imagines that the young man was originally meant to be a woman. This line suggests that his beauty and tenderness were initially designed for a female form. However, something changed during his creation.
This marks a turning point in the poem, shifting from admiration to an explanation of why the beloved has both male and female qualities.
Line 10: “Till Nature, as she wrought thee, fell a-doting,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Wrought – Created, shaped, or formed.
- Fell a-doting – Fell in love or became infatuated.
Explanation & Context:
Shakespeare humorously suggests that Nature herself, while creating this perfect being, became so enamored with her own work that she decided to change the young man’s destiny.
Nature, personified as a female creator, is portrayed as making a last-minute alteration due to overwhelming admiration.
Line 11: “And by addition me of thee defeated,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Addition – Something extra was added.
- Me of thee defeated – Shakespeare feels he has lost something because of this addition.
Explanation & Context:
Nature’s last-minute decision to make the young man male instead of female is seen as a loss to the poet. The “addition” likely refers to male anatomy, which prevents the poet from loving him in a traditional romantic sense.
Shakespeare expresses playful regret—if the beloved had remained female, the poet could have pursued a conventional romantic relationship.
Line 12: “By adding one thing to my purpose nothing.”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- One thing – A reference to male anatomy.
- My purpose nothing – Of no use to the poet’s romantic desires.
Explanation & Context:
This line is a witty and subtle acknowledgment that the young man, though physically male, remains an object of deep affection for Shakespeare.
Line 13: “But since she prick’d thee out for women’s pleasure,”
Difficult Words Meaning:
- Prick’d thee out – Chose or marked you, but also a pun referring to male anatomy.
- Women’s pleasure – Suggesting the young man was made for women’s romantic interests.
Line 14: “Mine be thy love and thy love’s use their treasure.”
Shakespeare concludes that, while women may have his physical affection, the poet will claim his emotional love. The sonnet plays with themes of love, gender, and beauty, revealing Shakespeare’s admiration beyond traditional boundaries.
Analysis of Sonnet 20
Sonnet 20 is one of Shakespeare’s most famous and debated sonnets, as it blurs the lines between admiration, love, and gender identity. The poem describes a beautiful young man who possesses both the physical beauty of a woman and the emotional constancy of a man.
Summary
The speaker describes the young man as having a face as beautiful as a woman’s, but with a heart that is more constant and true than a woman’s typically is (as Shakespeare suggests women are often changeable in love).
The young man’s eyes are bright and captivating, and his appearance is so striking that both men and women are drawn to him. Originally, Nature intended to create him as a woman, but while in the process, Nature became infatuated and decided to make him a man instead.
This change, however, “defeats” the speaker’s personal desires, since the young man is now physically unavailable to him. Despite this, the speaker asserts that while the “use” of the young man belongs to women, his love itself belongs to the poet.
Critical Analysis
1. Gender and Androgyny
- Shakespeare’s description of the young man as having a woman’s beauty yet a man’s substance suggests an idealized form of beauty and virtue.
- The poem challenges traditional gender roles, presenting a fusion of male and female traits as superior.
2. Nature as a Creator
- Nature is personified as an artist, painting the young man’s face.
- She originally intended to create a woman but, in an act of self-indulgence, turned the creation into a man instead.
3. Love vs. Physical Desire
- The final couplet makes a distinction between love and physical attraction:
- The young man’s “love” belongs to the poet, meaning their emotional bond is strong.
- The young man’s “use” belongs to women, suggesting that sexual relationships are reserved for women.
- This raises questions about the nature of the speaker’s feelings—is it romantic love, admiration, or repressed desire?
Themes
1. Beauty and Ideal Love
- The young man is portrayed as the epitome of beauty, with the best qualities of both genders.
- The speaker’s admiration is deep and almost divine, emphasizing the timeless appeal of beauty.
2. Gender Identity and Fluidity
- Shakespeare explores gender ambiguity, presenting the young man as someone who transcends binary categories.
- The poem challenges societal norms of masculinity and femininity.
3. Love vs. Lust
- The poet seems to emotionally love the young man but acknowledges the impossibility of a physical relationship.
- The sonnet suggests that true love is emotional rather than physical.
Literary Devices
1. Personification – Nature as an Artist
- “A woman’s face with Nature’s own hand painted”
- Nature is described as a painter, crafting beauty with her own hand.
2. Wordplay – “Master Mistress”
- The phrase “master mistress of my passion” is intentionally ambiguous:
- “Master” suggests masculinity, control, and power.
- “Mistress” suggests femininity and love.
- This phrase perfectly encapsulates the androgyny of the young man.
3. Metaphor – The Power of the Young Man’s Gaze
- “Gilding the object whereupon it gazeth”
- The young man’s eyes beautify whatever they look upon, elevating his charm and influence.
4. Double Meaning – “Prick’d Thee Out”
- “But since she prick’d thee out for women’s pleasure”
- “Pricked” suggests both the act of choosing and the presence of male genitalia, reinforcing the idea that Nature chose to make him a man.
- This line is often interpreted as a subtle sexual reference.
5. Contrast – Love vs. Use
- “Mine be thy love and thy love’s use their treasure”
- Love is separated from physical desire, reinforcing that the speaker’s connection is emotional, while women claim the physical aspect.
Conclusion
Sonnet 20 stands out in Shakespeare’s collection because of its exploration of gender, beauty, and love beyond physical attraction. The speaker admires and deeply loves the young man, but accepts that his physical intimacy is meant for women.
This sonnet raises questions about the nature of Shakespeare’s relationship with the fair youth, suggesting that love can transcend gender and physicality, and that true beauty lies in the blending of qualities traditionally assigned to men and women.
