Abstract Language

Abstract Language: Describing ideas and qualities rather than obsevations or specific things, people, or places. The observable or "physical" is usually described in concrete language.

SONNET 130

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 have seen roses damask'd, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks; 
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing 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. 

Shakespeare's sonnet contains a lot of abstract language because he uses other words to describe his mistress. LIke her breast are dun, which means that her breast are dark, wires grow in her hair, she has nappy and hard hair. He also says that no such roses see I in her cheeks, which means that her cheeks are not rosey. SHe also smells but he uses "delight" instead. You can tell that she's big because she treads on the ground. SHe has a heavy step. And that she is red, just like their love. But he uses rare instead of saying that their love was wrong. SInce she is a colored woman and he is merried and whith children.