William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 70 is a reflection on the nature of slander, reputation, and virtue, with the poet offering consolation to the subject of his sonnet—perhaps a friend or lover—who has been the target of malicious rumors. The poem explores the tension between outward appearances and inner goodness, and how slander, rather than diminishing someone’s worth, often paradoxically affirms their value.
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 70
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.
The Structure and Tone of Sonnet 70
Sonnet 70 is written in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, consisting of 14 lines divided into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). The rhyme scheme follows the standard ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. Shakespeare uses iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern of ten syllables per line, with an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. The meter is consistent throughout, providing a harmonious and flowing quality to the poem, which contrasts with the turbulent subject matter of slander.
The tone of the poem is reflective and somewhat reassuring. While the subject is faced with slander, the speaker’s tone is not one of sympathy or direct comfort, but rather a calm, rational analysis of the situation, which ultimately suggests that slander cannot diminish the intrinsic worth of the subject. Shakespeare’s tone balances between a philosophical reflection on human nature and an ironic observation of the interplay between reputation and envy.
Analysis of Sonnet 70
Lines 1–4
“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.”
In the opening quatrain, Shakespeare immediately addresses the accusation or blame directed at the subject. He states that the subject’s reputation being tarnished by slander is not a flaw on their part, but rather an inevitability, especially for those who are admired and beautiful. Slander, the poet implies, always targets the “fair”—those who possess qualities that are worthy of praise and attention.
The phrase “the ornament of beauty is suspect” suggests that beauty and goodness are often under scrutiny, as they attract both admiration and jealousy. Shakespeare uses the metaphor of a “crow that flies in heaven’s sweetest air” to emphasize how something pure (the “heaven’s sweetest air”) is often accompanied by something dark or corrupt (the “crow”), symbolizing the envy and maliciousness that surround the pure and the beautiful. The crow, typically associated with darkness or impurity, represents how even the most virtuous can be tainted by slander.
Lines 5–8
“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.”
Shakespeare shifts focus here, explaining that slander, in fact, only enhances the subject’s worth. The poet argues that a person of virtue and beauty who is the target of slander becomes even more admirable because time will ultimately vindicate them. The phrase “being wooed of time” implies that time itself will prove the person’s worth.
The metaphor of “canker vice” that “loves the sweetest buds” suggests that corruption or vice often seeks out the most beautiful or pure, just as worms or disease target the most tender plants. The “pure unstainèd prime” that the subject presents is highlighted as being untouched by this vice, suggesting that, despite external accusations, their integrity remains untainted. In this way, slander becomes an inadvertent confirmation of the subject’s virtue, proving that they are worthy of both admiration and envy.
Lines 9–12
“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.”
In these lines, Shakespeare reflects on the subject’s resilience. The “ambush of young days” metaphorically refers to the temptations, mistakes, or challenges of youth. The subject, however, has either avoided these pitfalls (“not assailed”) or has overcome them (“victor being charged”). The speaker acknowledges this as a significant accomplishment, but he also notes that even this victory cannot entirely shield the subject from envy, which continues to grow over time.
The phrase “to tie up envy, evermore enlarged” suggests that envy is a powerful force that can never be fully contained. Even the most virtuous or successful person will be subject to envy, which only grows as the person’s reputation or fame increases. The poet seems to be suggesting that this is an inherent part of human nature—envy will always follow those who shine brightest, and it is impossible to completely escape.
Lines 13–14
“If some suspect of ill masked not thy show,
Then thou alone kingdoms of hearts shouldst owe.”
The final couplet of the sonnet presents a hypothetical situation. Shakespeare suggests that if no one ever suspected any ill of the subject—if no one ever slandered or envied them—then they would have conquered the world entirely (“kingdoms of hearts”). This statement implies that the subject’s virtue, beauty, and strength of character are so great that, without the hindrance of jealousy or suspicion, they would win everyone’s admiration and love. It reinforces the idea that slander and envy only exist because the subject is so remarkable. Without such virtues, there would be no slander to speak of.
Conclusion
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 70 offers a profound meditation on the relationship between slander, beauty, virtue, and time. Through its careful use of metaphor, the sonnet explores the paradox that slander, rather than diminishing a person’s worth, actually serves to highlight it. The poet assures the subject that, although they may be the target of malicious gossip and envy, these forces are not reflections of their own shortcomings, but of the jealousy that surrounds excellence and goodness.
Through this nuanced exploration, Shakespeare conveys a message that resonates beyond the individual. The poem reflects on the timeless human experience of dealing with criticism and envy, offering a comforting reminder that slander often cannot tarnish true virtue, and in fact, may only serve to elevate it further.
