Poetry · Chapter
Sonnet LXIX explained
The speaker observes that while the world praises the young man's outward beauty, deeper scrutiny reveals a discrepancy between his fair appearance and his foul deeds, suggesting that his character has become common and corrupted.
What happens
The speaker observes that while the world praises the young man's outward beauty, deeper scrutiny reveals a discrepancy between his fair appearance and his foul deeds, suggesting that his character has become common and corrupted.
Themes in this chapter
Truth and Deception
The poem contrasts the 'bare truth' of outward praise with the hidden truth of the youth's flawed character.
Beauty and Transience
The youth's fair flower is tainted by the 'rank smell of weeds,' suggesting the fleeting and corruptible nature of beauty.
Characters to notice
- Youth
The young man whose outward beauty is praised but whose inner character is found wanting.
- William Shakespeare
The speaker who reflects on the disparity between the youth's appearance and his deeds.
Key passages
“Those parts of thee that the world’s eye doth view Want nothing that the thought of hearts can mend;”
Your outward appearance is so perfect that no one could imagine any improvement.
The speaker acknowledges the youth's flawless physical beauty.
“But why thy odour matcheth not thy show, The solve is this, that thou dost common grow.”
The reason your inner character does not match your outward beauty is that you have become ordinary and morally degraded.
The speaker concludes that the youth's corruption stems from his commonness.