'Sonnet 127: In the old age black was not counted fair' by William Shakespeare

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The Sonnets1609In the old age black was not counted fair,
Or if it were, it bore not beauty's name;
But now is black beauty's successive heir,
And beauty slandered with a bastard shame.
For since each hand hath put on nature's power,
Fairing the foul with art's false borrowed face,
Sweet beauty hath no name no holy bower,
But is profaned, if not lives in disgrace.
Therefore my mistress' eyes are raven black,
Her eyes so suited, and they mourners seem,
At such who, not born fair no beauty lack,
Sland'ring creation with a false esteem.Yet so they mourn, becoming of their woe,That every tongue says beauty should look so.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 127: In the old age black was not counted fair

William Shakespeare's sonnets are some of the most remarkable and timeless pieces of literature in human history. They are filled with deep emotions, insightful reflections, and brilliant poetic imagery. One of the most striking and fascinating of these sonnets is Sonnet 127, which begins with the line "In the old age black was not counted fair." This line, and the entire sonnet that follows it, is a powerful statement about the nature of beauty, love, and desire.

The Sonnet

Before we begin our analysis of the sonnet, let us first take a look at its structure and form. Sonnet 127 is part of Shakespeare's collection of 154 sonnets, which are each composed of fourteen lines and are written in iambic pentameter. The sonnet is divided into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza), which is a common structure for Shakespearean sonnets.

The rhyme scheme of the sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which means that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines. The final couplet is a rhyming couplet, in which both lines rhyme. The iambic pentameter consists of ten syllables per line, with each line containing five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables.

The Interpretation

Now that we have a basic understanding of the structure and form of the sonnet, let us delve into its meaning and interpretation. The first line of the sonnet, "In the old age black was not counted fair," is a reference to the Elizabethan era in which Shakespeare lived, a time when pale skin was considered the epitome of beauty and blackness was seen as unattractive. This line sets the stage for the rest of the sonnet, which explores the idea of beauty and how it is perceived.

The second line of the sonnet, "Or if it were, it bore not beauty's name," implies that even if blackness was considered beautiful in the past, it was not acknowledged as such. The third and fourth lines of the sonnet, "But now is black beauty's successive heir, / And beauty slandered with a bastard shame," suggest that times have changed and that blackness is now recognized as beautiful, but that it is still subject to discrimination and prejudice.

The second quatrain of the sonnet continues this exploration of beauty and its relationship to prejudice. The fifth and sixth lines of the sonnet, "For since each hand hath put on nature's power, / Fairing the foul with art's false borrowed face," suggest that beauty is not solely determined by nature, but is also influenced by human artifice. The seventh and eighth lines of the sonnet, "Sweet beauty hath no name, no holy bower, / But is profaned, if not lives in disgrace," imply that beauty is often exploited and degraded, and that it is a fragile and fleeting thing.

The third and final quatrain of the sonnet takes a more personal and introspective turn, focusing on the speaker's own experience of beauty and desire. The ninth line of the sonnet, "Therefore my mistress' eyes are raven black," suggests that the speaker's mistress has black eyes, which are associated with beauty in the speaker's eyes. The tenth and eleventh lines of the sonnet, "Her eyes so suited, and they mourners seem / At such who, not born fair, no beauty lack," suggest that the speaker's mistress's black eyes are so beautiful that they make those who are not born with fair skin seem lacking in beauty.

The final couplet of the sonnet provides a conclusion to the speaker's thoughts on beauty and desire. The twelfth and thirteenth lines of the sonnet, "But every fair from fair sometime declines, / By chance, or nature's changing course untrimmed," suggest that beauty is fleeting and that even the most beautiful things will eventually fade. The final line of the sonnet, "But thy eternal summer shall not fade," implies that the speaker's love for his mistress is eternal and that it will never fade, even as her beauty may eventually decline.

The Significance

Sonnet 127 is a powerful and insightful exploration of the nature of beauty and its relationship to prejudice and desire. It is a vivid and evocative portrayal of the changing attitudes towards beauty throughout history, and it is a testament to the enduring power of love and desire.

As we read and interpret this sonnet, we are struck by its timeless relevance and its ability to speak to us across the centuries. It is a reminder that beauty is not solely determined by external factors, but is also influenced by our own perceptions and biases. It is a call to recognize and celebrate the diversity of human beauty, and to reject prejudice and discrimination in all its forms.

Overall, Sonnet 127 is a brilliant and thought-provoking piece of literature that continues to inspire and move us today, just as it did when it was first written more than four centuries ago.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

In the old age black was not counted fair, Or if it were, it bore not beauty's name; But now is black beauty's successive heir, And beauty slandered with a bastard shame:

These opening lines of Sonnet 127 by William Shakespeare set the tone for a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the shifting perceptions of beauty over time. In this sonnet, Shakespeare challenges the traditional notions of beauty and highlights the ways in which societal attitudes towards race and skin color have evolved over the years.

The sonnet begins with a reflection on the past, when black was not considered to be beautiful. In fact, it was often seen as the opposite of beauty, something to be avoided or even despised. This attitude was rooted in the racial prejudices of the time, which viewed blackness as a sign of inferiority and ugliness. Shakespeare acknowledges this historical reality, but he also suggests that things have changed.

In the second line, he notes that even if black was considered fair in the past, it was not given the same recognition as other forms of beauty. It was not seen as worthy of being called "beauty" in its own right, but rather as a poor imitation or a lesser version of true beauty. This is a powerful indictment of the narrow-mindedness and bigotry that have plagued human societies for centuries.

But now, Shakespeare declares, black has become the "successive heir" to beauty. This is a bold statement, one that challenges the very foundations of traditional beauty standards. By suggesting that blackness can be beautiful in its own right, Shakespeare is pushing back against the prevailing prejudices of his time and opening up new possibilities for how we think about beauty.

However, he also acknowledges that this shift in attitudes has not been easy or straightforward. Black beauty has been "slandered with a bastard shame," meaning that it has been subjected to unfair criticism and discrimination. Even as society has begun to recognize the beauty of blackness, there are still those who seek to denigrate it and diminish its value.

The next few lines of the sonnet continue to explore this theme of shifting beauty standards. Shakespeare notes that "since each hand hath put on nature's power," meaning that each person has the ability to shape and define what is considered beautiful. This is a powerful idea, one that suggests that beauty is not an objective or fixed quality, but rather something that is constantly evolving and changing based on the whims and preferences of those who define it.

He goes on to say that "fairing the foul with art's false borrowed face," meaning that people use artifice and deception to make things that are not traditionally beautiful appear attractive. This is a critique of the superficiality and artificiality of many beauty standards, which often rely on makeup, fashion, and other external factors to create the illusion of beauty.

But Shakespeare also suggests that there is a deeper, more authentic form of beauty that transcends these superficial trappings. He writes that "sweet beauty hath no name, no holy bower, / But is profaned, if not lives in disgrace." This is a powerful statement about the nature of true beauty, which cannot be contained or defined by any one label or category. It is something that exists beyond language and beyond the constraints of society's narrow definitions.

The final lines of the sonnet return to the theme of blackness and its evolving relationship with beauty. Shakespeare writes that "therefore my mistress' eyes are raven black, / Her eyes so suited, and they mourners seem." Here, he is describing the beauty of his lover's black eyes, which he sees as a symbol of mourning and sorrow. This is a powerful image, one that suggests that even in the midst of sadness and loss, there can be a kind of beauty that transcends the pain.

Overall, Sonnet 127 is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the shifting perceptions of beauty over time. Shakespeare challenges traditional beauty standards and opens up new possibilities for how we think about race, skin color, and the nature of true beauty. His words are a reminder that beauty is not a fixed or objective quality, but rather something that is constantly evolving and changing based on the whims and preferences of those who define it.

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