# Sonnet CXXVII explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

The poet defends black as a legitimate form of beauty, arguing that artificial enhancements have slandered true beauty, and praises his mistress's dark features as natural and genuine.

## Themes in this chapter

### Truth and Deception

The poem contrasts natural black beauty with the artificial 'borrow'd face' of cosmetics, critiquing societal deception.

### Beauty and Transience

Explores shifting standards of beauty and the enduring quality of natural appearance.

## Character check-ins

### William Shakespeare

The speaker, defending the beauty of his dark mistress against conventional standards.

## Key lines

> 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

In past times, black was not considered beautiful, or if it was, it wasn't called beauty; but now black has become beauty's rightful successor.

_The poet redefines beauty to include dark features._

> For since each hand hath put on nature’s power, Fairing the foul with art’s false borrow’d face

Because everyone now uses cosmetics to artificially improve their appearance, disguising ugliness with false art.

_Critique of the widespread use of makeup as a form of deception._

> Therefore my mistress’ brows are raven black, Her eyes so suited, and they mourners seem At such who, not born fair, no beauty lack, Slandering creation with a false esteem

Thus my mistress's eyebrows and eyes are black, and they appear to mourn for those who, though not naturally fair, lack no beauty but slander nature by falsely valuing themselves.

_The dark lady's features are portrayed as mourning the artificiality of others._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters/cxxvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters