Read the second quatrain of "Sonnet 130."

Question

I have seen roses damask’d, 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.

—“Sonnet 130,”
William Shakespeare

How does the second quatrain further develop the central idea presented in the first quatrain? Check all that apply.

by continuing to praise the mistress’s beauty with comparisons to nature
by making additional comparisons between the mistress’s appearance and nature
by extending the descriptions of the mistress beyond what can be seen
by adding to the descriptions with a comparison to another person
by changing the description of the mistress from unfavorable to favorable

Answer 1

The second quatrain of "Sonnet 130" develops the central idea presented in the first quatrain by:

• by making additional comparisons between the mistress’s appearance and nature: The speaker compares the mistress’s cheeks to damask roses (red and white), emphasizing her lack of the idealized beauty often associated with such flowers.

• by extending the descriptions of the mistress beyond what can be seen: The quatrain goes beyond physical appearance, addressing the mistress's breath to illustrate a contrast with delightful perfumes.

The other options, such as continuing to praise the mistress’s beauty, adding to descriptions with a comparison to another person, or changing the description from unfavorable to favorable, do not align with the tone or intent of the quatrain. The quatrain reinforces the realistic portrayal of the mistress rather than offering an idealized or favorable view.