Shakespeare’s sonnets are often associated with romance, love, and beauty. However, the Bard also had a sharp wit and a keen eye for the absurd, which occasionally shines through in his sonnets. While not laugh-out-loud funny in the modern sense, certain sonnets possess a playful irony and clever wordplay that can elicit a chuckle or a knowing smile. Let’s explore some of these “funny Shakespeare sonnets” and uncover the humor hidden within their intricate verses.
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Sonnet 130: An Anti-Love Poem?
Perhaps the most famous example of a “funny” Shakespeare sonnet is Sonnet 130. Instead of praising his mistress’s beauty with conventional comparisons, Shakespeare deliberately subverts them:
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;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
The humor lies in the unexpected deflation of romantic clichés. He even goes on to say her breath “reeks.” Yet, the sonnet’s twist comes in the final couplet:
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.
By rejecting exaggerated praise, Shakespeare celebrates a genuine, down-to-earth love that transcends superficial ideals. The humor acts as a vehicle for a deeper message about the nature of true affection.
Sonnet 88: The Art of Self-Deprecation
Another sonnet with a humorous undertone is Sonnet 88. Here, the speaker adopts a stance of extreme self-deprecation, offering to take his beloved’s side even against himself:
When thou shalt be disposed to set me light
And place my merit in the eye of scorn,
Upon thy side against myself I’ll fight,
And prove thee virtuous, though thou art forsworn.
The exaggerated willingness to debase himself for his beloved’s sake creates a sense of ironic amusement. While the underlying emotions might be complex, the almost masochistic tone introduces a darkly comedic element.
Sonnet 29: From Despair to Delight
While not inherently funny throughout, Sonnet 29 offers a humorous shift in tone. The speaker begins in a state of despair:
When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heav’n with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate.
However, the mere thought of his beloved transforms his mood:
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven’s gate.
This sudden change from self-pity to joyful exuberance carries a touch of humor, highlighting the power of love to elevate even the most dejected spirits.
Finding the Funny Bone in the Bard
These are just a few examples of how humor can be found within Shakespeare’s sonnets. While not the dominant characteristic of his work, the occasional flashes of wit and irony add another layer to their richness and complexity. By looking beyond the surface level of romance and tragedy, we can appreciate the full range of Shakespeare’s genius, including his ability to make us smile even within the confines of a 14-line poem.
Beyond the Laughs: Exploring Further
These “funny” sonnets invite us to consider the multifaceted nature of Shakespeare’s work and the different ways we can interpret his poetry. Exploring these less-discussed aspects of his sonnets can enrich our understanding of the Bard and his enduring legacy.