Irony in Shakespeare's "My Mistress' Eyes"

After reading William Shakespeare’s poem, “My Mistress’ Eyes,” irony shines through once again. While reading the poem, all of the descriptions the speaker uses to describe his mistress are unbecoming or unattractive. He states a positive comparison, and then tells the reader how that description does not fit his mistress. The speaker states, “If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head,” (Shakespeare, 885). To most people, hair the consistency of wire and dull colored cheeks and skin would not be appealing. Many people expect these characteristics to push men away or be undesirable, but the irony becomes apparent when the speaker states that he still loves his mistress and finds her rare and unique. Regardless of her looks, he still cares for her. The speaker looks past the physical characteristics of his mistress, which are not very positive, and he expresses his love for the woman because of her uniqueness and personality. Many people believe that to be desirable or wanted by others, they must be perfect in appearance and in every other way. However, in this poem, the speaker proves that sometimes the deeper parts of a person, those hidden under their appearance, are really what are important.