Seminars in modern english lexicology

W.Shakespeare Sonnet CXXX

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.
I’ve seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
That in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasant sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go,
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground;
And yet by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.


Answers:
Synonyms:
1. Sun - In line 1, the speaker states that his mistress' eyes are "nothing like the sun." Here, "sun" is used as a metaphor for beauty, contrasting with the literal description of his mistress' eyes.
2. Coral - In line 2, the speaker compares the redness of his mistress' lips to coral. "Coral" serves as a metaphorical description, highlighting the disparity between his mistress' lips and the vibrant redness of coral.


Antonyms:
1. Red and White - In line 6, the speaker refers to seeing roses that are "damasked, red and white," implying that his mistress' cheeks do not possess the same rosy complexion. The contrast between "red and white" and the lack of such roses on his mistress' cheeks serves as an antonymical comparison.
2. Music and Speak - In lines 9 and 10, the speaker contrasts the pleasing sound of music with the sound of his mistress' voice. He acknowledges his fondness for her voice, but suggests that music is more pleasant, creating an antithesis.


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Task 4: With the help of dictionaries explain the difference in meaning of each member of the synonymic groups given below. Point out their synonymic dominants.
1. boastful - blow-hard - proud - vain - self-satisfied - egoistical – braggart - vainglorious;
2. cry - snivel - weep - shed tears - sob - wail -whimper;
3. famous - distinguished - illustrious - notorious - noted - eminent – celebrated.