Comparing Poetic Techniques in Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 130” and Wyatt’s “Whoso List to Hunt”

Both Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 130” and Wyatt’s “Whoso List to Hunt” are celebrated works of English poetry, often studied for their portrayal of love and beauty. Despite being written in different periods—Shakespeare’s in the late 16th century and Wyatt’s in the early 16th century—these sonnets share thematic similarities, such as the idealization of women and the tension between desire and reality. However, the poetic techniques employed by the two poets differ significantly in their approach to these themes, with Shakespeare utilizing satire and wit, while Wyatt uses imagery and classical allusion. Here, we’ll explore the poetic techniques used in both poems, particularly focusing on imagery, structure, tone, and rhyme scheme.

1. Imagery and Descriptive Language

In Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 130”, the imagery is grounded in a blunt, satirical realism. Instead of the traditional hyperbolic praise of the beloved, Shakespeare presents an unflattering yet honest portrayal of his mistress. For example:
  • “My 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.”
Here, Shakespeare uses vivid comparisons to contrast the idealized imagery often associated with beauty in love poetry. He humorously debunks the conventional metaphors, using natural elements like sun, coral, and snow to point out the mundane, even flawed, aspects of his lover's appearance. Yet, the overall tone is not derogatory but rather grounded in honesty and acceptance of imperfection. On the other hand, in Wyatt’s “Whoso List to Hunt”, the imagery is rooted in classical allusion and metaphor, particularly the hunt and the chasing of a deer. The poem employs the metaphor of a hunt to describe the poet’s pursuit of a woman, who is, in fact, unattainable:
  • “Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind,
  • But as for me, alas, I may no more."
The hind is a symbol of the elusive lady, referencing the Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt. Wyatt’s metaphor is more traditional in its use of classical symbolism, presenting the woman as something to be pursued, captured, and possessed. This imagery speaks to the elusive nature of unattainable beauty and desire.

2. Structure and Form

Both sonnets are written in the sonnet form, but they differ in their specific structural choices.
  • Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 130” follows the traditional Shakespearean (English) sonnet form, consisting of 14 lines divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABABCDCDEFEFGG. Shakespeare’s choice of the sonnet form is significant because it allows him to express his complex emotions about love within a traditionally strict structure, which he both adheres to and subtly mocks.
  • Wyatt’s “Whoso List to Hunt”, on the other hand, is written in iambic pentameter with an ABBAABBA rhyme scheme, akin to the Petrarchan sonnet. This is more typical of the early Renaissance and reflects the influence of Italian sonneteers. Wyatt's use of the Petrarchan sonnet, with its octave and sestet, highlights the thematic shift from desire (the octave) to resignation (the sestet). The structure mirrors the emotional journey from longing and pursuit to the acceptance of unattainability.

3. Tone and Attitude

The tone in both poems reflects the poets' complex feelings about love and attraction, but the way these emotions are conveyed differs.
  • In Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 130”, the tone is playful, ironic, and subversive. Shakespeare’s speaker is poking fun at the conventional portrayal of women in love poetry. The irony lies in his refusal to glorify his lover, even though he ultimately affirms his love for her:
    • “And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare,
    • As any she belied with false compare.” Shakespeare’s self-awareness and wit transform the apparent disparagement into a declaration of authentic love, where imperfections are seen as part of what makes his lover unique.
  • In Wyatt’s “Whoso List to Hunt”, the tone is more melancholic and resigned. The speaker conveys a sense of defeat and longing as he contemplates the futility of chasing a woman who is already claimed by someone else. The final lines reveal a sense of acceptance:
    • “Noli me tangere, for Caesar’s I am,
    • And wild for to hold, though I seem tame.” The speaker recognizes that the woman, like the elusive hind, is beyond his reach, and he must let go, thus creating a sense of loss and frustration.

4. Rhyme Scheme and Sound

The rhyme schemes in both poems reflect their differing tonal qualities and emotional impacts.
  • Shakespeare’s sonnet relies on the English sonnet’s rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG, which gives the poem a flowing, conversational quality. This structure allows the poet to shift tones from irony in the quatrains to the affirmation of love in the closing couplet. The rhythm of iambic pentameter also complements the humorous and reflective nature of the poem.
  • In contrast, Wyatt’s poem uses the Petrarchan sonnet’s ABBAABBA rhyme scheme in the octave, reflecting a more formal, traditional style. This form highlights the inward conflict of the speaker in the first eight lines (desire and unattainable love) and the resolution of the sestet (resignation). The musicality of the rhyme complements the heartfelt and regretful tone of the poem.

Conclusion

While both Shakespeare’s "Sonnet 130" and Wyatt’s "Whoso List to Hunt" address themes of love, beauty, and unattainability, the poets' poetic techniques differ in significant ways. Shakespeare employs satirical humor to challenge traditional notions of beauty, using realistic imagery and irony to subvert expectations. In contrast, Wyatt draws on classical allusion and Petrarchan form to convey the elusiveness of love, creating a more tragic and resigned tone. Both poems explore the complexities of romantic longing, but they approach these themes from different angles, using the sonnet form to express contrasting emotions—irony and playfulness in Shakespeare’s work, and longing and resignation in Wyatt’s. Through their differing structural choices, tone, and rhyme schemes, both poets offer profound insights into the nature of love, desire, and idealization.