'Sonnet 70: That thou art blamed shall not be thy defect' by William Shakespeare

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That thou art blamed shall not be thy defect,
For slander's mark was ever yet the fair;
The ornament of beauty is suspect,
A crow that flies in heaven's sweetest air.
So thou be good, slander doth but approve
Thy worth the greater being wooed of time,
For canker vice the sweetest buds doth love,
And thou present'st a pure unstainèd prime.
Thou hast passed by the ambush of young days,
Either not assailed, or victor being charged;
Yet this thy praise cannot be so thy praise,
To tie up envy, evermore enlarged.
If some suspect of ill masked not thy show,
Then thou alone kingdoms of hearts shouldst owe.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 70: That thou art blamed shall not be thy defect

William Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets, and each one of them is a masterpiece of its own. However, Sonnet 70 stands out as a unique piece. It is a sonnet that speaks of the criticism that a person goes through in their life. The sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, and the rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the poem and bring out the various literary devices and themes that are present in the poem.

Summary of the poem

The poem is addressed to someone who is being criticized by others. It starts with the speaker acknowledging the fact that the person has been criticized and that it is not their fault. The speaker then goes on to say that the person should not take the criticism to heart because the people who criticize them are only doing so because they are envious of the person's success. The speaker then goes on to say that the person should not be upset by the criticism because the people who criticize them are only trying to bring them down. The poem ends with the speaker saying that the person should take comfort in the fact that they are loved and that their virtues will outlive the criticism that they are facing.

Analysis of the poem

Literary devices in the poem

Shakespeare has used various literary devices in the poem to create a powerful impact on the reader. The most prominent of these devices are:

Personification

Shakespeare has personified the abstract concept of "Envy" in the poem. He describes Envy as a creature that is "sickly" and "green". This personification is a powerful tool that Shakespeare has used to create an image of Envy that is both vivid and memorable.

Metaphor

The poem has a metaphor that compares the person being criticized to a tree that is being attacked by the wind. This metaphor is a powerful image that helps the reader to visualize the person being criticized and the criticism that they are facing.

Alliteration

Shakespeare has used alliteration in the poem to create a musical effect. For example, in the first line of the poem, he uses the alliteration of "t" and "b" to create a flowing sound.

Imagery

The poem is rich in imagery. Shakespeare has used imagery to create vivid pictures in the mind of the reader. For example, he describes Envy as a "monster" and "sickly gnawing". These images help the reader to visualize Envy and the destructive force that it represents.

Themes in the poem

The poem deals with several themes that are common in Shakespeare's work. These include:

Criticism

The poem deals with the theme of criticism. Shakespeare is saying that criticism is a part of life and that it is not the fault of the person being criticized. He is also saying that criticism is often a result of envy and that it should not be taken personally.

Envy

Envy is a prominent theme in the poem. Shakespeare is saying that envy is a destructive force that can lead to criticism and unhappiness. He is also saying that envy is often a result of success and that successful people should be aware of this.

Love

Love is another prominent theme in the poem. Shakespeare is saying that the person being criticized is loved by others and that this love will outlast the criticism that they are facing. He is also saying that love is a powerful force that can provide comfort and strength to people who are facing difficulties.

Interpretation of the poem

The poem can be interpreted in several ways. One interpretation is that Shakespeare is saying that criticism is a part of life and that successful people will always face criticism from others. He is also saying that criticism is often a result of envy and that successful people should be aware of this. Another interpretation is that Shakespeare is saying that love is a powerful force that can help people to overcome difficulties and that it is important to focus on the positive aspects of life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sonnet 70 is a powerful poem that deals with the themes of criticism, envy, and love. Shakespeare has used various literary devices to create a vivid image of the person being criticized and the destructive force of envy. The poem is a reminder that criticism is a part of life and that it should not be taken personally. It is also a reminder that love is a powerful force that can provide comfort and strength to people who are facing difficulties. Sonnet 70 is a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 70: That thou art blamed shall not be thy defect is one of the most famous poems written by William Shakespeare. This sonnet is a part of the collection of 154 sonnets that Shakespeare wrote, and it is considered to be one of the most powerful and emotional poems in the collection. In this article, we will analyze and explain the meaning of Sonnet 70 and explore the themes and literary devices used by Shakespeare.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the person he is writing to, telling them that they are being blamed for something. The speaker then goes on to say that this blame is not a reflection of the person's character or worth. The speaker is trying to comfort the person and reassure them that they are not at fault for whatever they are being blamed for.

The first quatrain of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the sonnet. The speaker says, "That thou art blamed shall not be thy defect, / For slander's mark was ever yet the fair; / The ornament of beauty is suspect, / A crow that flies in heaven's sweetest air." The speaker is saying that being blamed is not a reflection of the person's character or worth. The speaker is also saying that beauty is often suspect and that people who are beautiful are often the subject of slander and gossip.

In the second quatrain, the speaker continues to comfort the person by saying that they are not alone in being blamed. The speaker says, "So thou be good, slander doth but approve / Thy worth the greater, being wooed of time; / For canker vice the sweetest buds doth love, / And thou present'st a pure unstained prime." The speaker is saying that if the person is good, then being blamed will only make them stronger. The speaker is also saying that time will prove the person's worth and that being blamed is just a temporary setback.

In the third quatrain, the speaker uses a metaphor to describe the person's situation. The speaker says, "Thou hast passed by the ambush of young days, / Either not assailed, or victor being charged; / Yet this thy praise cannot be so thy praise, / To tie up envy evermore enlarged." The speaker is saying that the person has already passed through the difficult period of youth without being attacked or, if they were attacked, they emerged victorious. However, the speaker is also saying that this is not enough to prevent envy from growing.

In the final couplet, the speaker concludes the poem by saying, "If some suspect of ill masked not thy show, / Then thou alone kingdoms of hearts shouldst owe." The speaker is saying that if the person is not suspected of doing anything wrong, then they will have the hearts of everyone. The speaker is saying that being blamed is not a reflection of the person's character or worth and that if they are good, then they will be rewarded in the end.

The themes of Sonnet 70 are universal and timeless. The poem explores the themes of beauty, envy, and the nature of blame. The speaker is trying to comfort the person by saying that being blamed is not a reflection of their character or worth. The speaker is also saying that beauty is often suspect and that people who are beautiful are often the subject of slander and gossip. The speaker is saying that being blamed is just a temporary setback and that time will prove the person's worth.

The literary devices used by Shakespeare in Sonnet 70 are also noteworthy. The poem uses metaphors, alliteration, and personification to convey its message. The metaphor of the crow flying in heaven's sweetest air is used to describe the suspicion that often surrounds beauty. The alliteration in the phrase "canker vice the sweetest buds doth love" emphasizes the destructive nature of vice. The personification of time as a wooer emphasizes the idea that time will prove the person's worth.

In conclusion, Sonnet 70: That thou art blamed shall not be thy defect is a powerful and emotional poem that explores universal themes of beauty, envy, and the nature of blame. The poem uses literary devices such as metaphors, alliteration, and personification to convey its message. The speaker is trying to comfort the person by saying that being blamed is not a reflection of their character or worth and that time will prove their worth. This sonnet is a testament to Shakespeare's skill as a poet and his ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through his writing.

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