Double Vision: Anti-Poetry
Anti-poetry is an art movement that attempts to break away from the normal conventions of poetry. When talking about poetry one usually thinks of a work of writing thatâs short, sweet, romantic, etc. Anti-poetryâs are far from that. Anti-Poetry is a way poetâs attempt to differentiate what is to be known as ânormalâ poetry. Some anti-poetry poems state the reality that surrounds us every day.
Shakespeareâs Sonnet 130 is a perfect example of anti-poetry. The first quatrain states,
âMy mistressâ eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lipsâ red; If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.â
The poet does think his mistress has bright eyes, her lips are not like coral, and her hair is as ugly as wires. Sonnet 130 is your typical anti-poem. Instead of complementing his mistress like any other man would compliment a girl he loves, Shakespeare uses the âunattractiveâ features of his mistress. Letting her flaws be known in this sonnet but stating the love he has her. Poetry is usually used to lure in someone into liking you not the opposite.
