Sonnet 20: a Woman’s Face with Nature’s Own Hand Painted
Sonnet 20: a Woman’s Face with Nature’s Own Hand Painted - meaning Summary
Gender and Desire Entwined
The speaker praises a beloved who combines feminine beauty and a masculine allure, calling them both "master-mistress" of his passion. He admires their steady heart and compelling gaze, and notes that Nature seemingly added a masculine quality after creating a woman. This addition complicates the speaker’s desire: the beloved's beauty attracts both men and women, so while others enjoy the beloved’s physical pleasures, the speaker claims exclusive possession of their love.
Read Complete AnalysesA 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 pricked thee out for women’s pleasure, Mine be thy love and thy love’s use their treasure.
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