Poem Analysis - Sonnet 20 A Womans Face With Natures Own Hand Painted

Introduction: An Enigmatic Love

Shakespeare's Sonnet 20 is a complex and intriguing exploration of love and desire, directed towards a figure of ambiguous gender. The poem opens with admiration for the subject's beauty, which rivals that of nature itself. The tone is one of adoration, yet tinged with a sense of frustration and resignation. As the poem progresses, a shift occurs from celebrating the subject's androgynous perfection to accepting a limited form of love. Ultimately, the sonnet reveals a speaker grappling with unconventional desire and societal constraints.

The Beloved's Androgynous Perfection: A Challenge to Gender Norms

One of the central themes of Sonnet 20 is the celebration of the beloved's androgynous nature. The speaker describes the subject as both "master-mistress," possessing a "woman's face" and "a woman's gentle heart," yet also having qualities traditionally associated with men, like an ability to command ("all hues in his controlling"). This blending of masculine and feminine characteristics is presented not as a flaw, but as a source of unique beauty and power. The image of the subject stealing "men's eyes and women's souls" highlights the universal appeal of this androgynous figure, suggesting that traditional gender roles are limiting and that true beauty transcends such boundaries. The use of "hue" could also be a reference to the subject's fair complexion, a sought-after trait at the time that could be read as both masculine and feminine, reinforcing the idea of their in-between state.

Nature's "Error" and the Speaker's Defeat: A Question of Purpose

The poem also delves into the theme of thwarted desire and acceptance. The lines describing Nature's "falling a-doting" and adding something that renders the speaker's "purpose nothing" are pivotal. This suggests that the speaker initially desired a romantic and potentially sexual relationship with the subject, but Nature's "addition" (likely a penis) makes that impossible within the social norms of Shakespeare's time. The image of Nature making an "error" creates a sense of injustice and frustration. While the speaker clearly desires a deeper connection, they are ultimately "defeated" by the subject's physical form, leading to a compromise. This compromise is the central conflict within the poem; it is a love confessed, but a love that cannot fully be realized.

Love's Divided Labor: A Plea for Platonic Affection

The final couplet of the poem articulates a resolution, albeit a somewhat bittersweet one. The speaker accepts that the subject is "pricked out for women's pleasure" and therefore resigns himself to a platonic love: "Mine be thy love and thy love's use their treasure." This line reveals the depth of the speaker's affection while simultaneously acknowledging the limitations imposed by societal expectations and the subject's apparent heterosexuality. The "treasure" of the subject's "love's use" refers to their sexual relationship with women, which the speaker can never share. However, the speaker seeks consolation in the subject's affection, suggesting that a non-physical, emotional bond can still provide some measure of fulfillment. The poem concludes on a note of acceptance tinged with longing, hinting at the complexities of love in a world where social norms often clash with individual desires.

Conclusion: Enduring Significance of Unconventional Love

In conclusion, Sonnet 20 is a remarkable exploration of love, gender, and societal constraints. Through vivid imagery and a shifting tone, Shakespeare presents a speaker grappling with unconventional desire in a world that struggles to accommodate it. The poem's enduring significance lies in its honest portrayal of the complexities of love, particularly the challenges faced when desire transcends traditional boundaries. By celebrating the androgynous beauty of the beloved and acknowledging the limitations imposed by social norms, Sonnet 20 continues to resonate with readers who have experienced the complexities of love in all its diverse forms.