Sonnet 20 of Shakespeare and The picture of Dorian Gray

William Shakespeare’s poem is organized into one single stanza and it is composed of 14 lines of different length. The opening line introduces the main theme of the sonnet: beauty. The reader understands that the writer addresses his poem to a man created by Nature. He presents all the features of women’s beauty, and it is the reason why he is able to attract both females an males, Shakespeare included. The poet is seduced by his lover, who has the grace of a woman but cannot satisfy his physical desire, thus Shakespeare puts first the platonic love he feels. The man in question is considered handsome by his effeminate traits. Comparing the main theme of the poem to “The Picture of Dorian Gray” ‘s concept of beauty, there is a similar idea conveyed. A man is handsome when he is universally considered attractive, by women and men. On the other hand, Dorian’s attitude towards beauty is different. Indeed, the corrupted Dorian wants to achieve an insignificant and passing pleasure, whereas Shakespeare puts first spiritual love.