Short Answer 
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130 features a structure of three quatrains and a concluding couplet that satirically compares the speaker’s mistress to traditional ideals of beauty, suggesting a lack of deep affection. However, the final couplet reveals a shift as the speaker expresses that true love values emotional connection over physical imperfections, highlighting the sincerity of his feelings.
Step 1: Understanding the Sonnet’s Structure
In Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130, the poem consists of three quatrains followed by a final couplet. The quatrains focus on comparing the speaker’s mistress to traditional notions of beauty, often with satirical comparisons. This initial tone sets the stage for an exploration of the speaker’s feelings, hinting at a lack of strong emotion.
Step 2: Analyzing Initial Feelings
Throughout the first three quatrains, the speaker presents the flaws of his mistress using common poetic imagery. This creates an impression that his feelings are not very profound. The comparisons made suggest a lack of conventional admiration:
- Her eyes are not like the sun.
- Her lips are not as red as coral.
- Her skin is not like snow.
Step 3: The Emotional Shift in the Final Couplet
The concluding couplet of the sonnet marks a significant tonal shift. Here, the speaker reveals a deeper emotional connection, contrasting sharply with the earlier verses. This sudden shift illustrates how genuine love transcends physical beauty, asserting that:
- His feelings grow stronger despite the imperfections.
- True love appreciates the beloved for who they are.
- The sincerity and depth of feeling are paramount.