There are numerous tonal differences, whether it is refined voice versus candid speech, or sensuality versus sexuality that can be clearly found within Shakespeare's sonnets that address a man opposed to those that address a woman. However, there are often more subtle variances that can only be recognized when comparing sonnets whose thematic intent appears to be similar. Within both sonnet 28 and 130, the general theme focuses on Shakespeare's reflection upon, and subsequent comparison of, the addressed person to external elements, but their individual intents differ significantly.

Both sonnets, although addressing differing genders, explore the notion of comparison between the addressed person and nature. For example, in sonnet 28 and 130, Shakespeare is comparing a man and a woman to aspects of nature: "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" (2288, line 1) and, "My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;" (2306, line 1). However, they also refer to the afterlife, and death: "Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines," (sonnet 28, pg. 2289 lines 5) and, "And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare," (sonnet 130, pg. 2306, line 13). Yet, despite these broad commonalties, several vast, and subsequently specific, differences surface. Thus, a comparison of these two sonnets prove that Shakespeare thoughts, and feelings, concerning the addressed man and woman follow two distinctly different paths, each with their own underlying tones.

The man, addressed in sonnet 28, is compared to, " . . . a summer's day . . ." (2288 line 1). Shakespeare sees the man as a whole, and complex being, in that he is compared to an entire day that encompasses every aspect of nature. In contrast, sonnet 130 compares only aspects of the addressed woman's body to parts of nature - the sun, coral, or snow: ""If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head," (2306 line 4). Thus, she is not only seen as dehumanized parts, but she is only a small portion of the man's all-encompassing being: " . . . in some perfumes is there more delight/Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks," (2036 lines 7-8). However, unlike the woman who is inferior to nature, the addressed man is superior to it: "[the addressed man is] . . . more lovely and more temperate [than the sun]:" (2288 line 2). Thus, through a comparison of the sonnets, the reader can see that Shakespeare believes that men are far superior to women. For example, the comparisons of the woman to nature is dependent upon the man's comparisons, because without the man's "summer day" there would be no roses, coral, or sun, to compare the woman to.

However, Shakespeare goes even further with the analogy of the man, in sonnet 28, by anthropormorizing his attractiveness so that it not only surpasses summer's beauty, but metaphorically becomes summer:" . . .summer's lease hath all too short a date: . . . But thy eternal summer shall not fade," (2288-9 lines 4 and 9). Thus, Shakespeare makes him metaphorically god-like in relation to the natural world. In contrast, its paradoxical equal, sonnet 130, denounces the woman, and declares her un-godlike: "I grant I never saw a goddess go;/My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:" (2306, sonnet 130, lines 11-12). This makes her human, flawed, and unlike her godly, and subsequently perfect, male counterpart. Thus, Shakespeare's statements in sonnet 130 are degrading, and void of the admiration that is expressed in sonnet 28.

Therefore, it becomes clear that, although the two sonnets are utilizing a comparison method to express physical attributes, and subsequent affection, they each have a distinct tone, that when compared can be seen as paradoxical. While sonnet 28, addressing a man, is full metaphors, affection, and often doting language, sonnet 130, addressing the woman, utilizes only similes, and often harsh, or degrading commentary. Thus, the comparison proves that Shakespeare admired men more wholly, and valued them unequivocally, as opposed to women, who he saw as rather tainted, and beneath him.