William Shakespeare‘s Sonnet 95 is a vivid meditation on the relationship between beauty, virtue, and the imperfection inherent in human nature. It is an example of Shakespeare’s skillful manipulation of the English sonnet form, using its structure to express complex emotional states and ideas. This sonnet is often interpreted as a commentary on the vulnerability of reputation, and the way even the slightest blemish—whether moral or physical—can affect one’s perceived beauty and virtue.
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 95
How sweet and lovely dost thou make the shame
Which, like a canker in the fragrant rose,
Doth spot the beauty of thy budding name!
O, in what sweets dost thou thy sins enclose!
That tongue that tells the story of thy days,
Making lascivious comments on thy sport,
Cannot dispraise but in a kind of praise;
Naming thy name blesses an ill report.
O, what a mansion have those vices got
Which for their habitation chose out thee,
Where beauty’s veil doth cover every blot,
And all things turns to fair that eyes can see!
Take heed, dear heart, of this large privilege;
The hardest knife ill used doth lose his edge.
The Structure and Tone of Sonnet 95
Sonnet 95 follows the conventional Shakespearean (or English) sonnet structure, consisting of 14 lines written in iambic pentameter. The rhyme scheme is ABABCDCDEFEFGG, typical of the Shakespearean sonnet. The poem is divided into three quatrains followed by a rhymed couplet, each quatrain serving as a progression in the argument Shakespeare presents, leading to a resolution or reflection in the final couplet.
The tone of the poem is complex and layered. While on the surface, it may seem to praise the subject, closer examination reveals an undercurrent of irony and caution. The tone fluctuates between admiration and warning, as Shakespeare addresses the theme of how beauty and reputation can be tarnished by vice, even if the vice itself is hidden beneath an attractive exterior. There is also an element of regret and concern for the person being addressed, suggesting that the speaker cares deeply about the subject’s well-being.
Analysis of Sonnet 95
Lines 1-4
“How sweet and lovely dost thou make the shame
Which, like a canker in the fragrant rose,
Doth spot the beauty of thy budding name!
O, in what sweets dost thou thy sins enclose!”
In the first quatrain, Shakespeare begins with an apparent paradox. The speaker addresses the subject, noting how they make “the shame”—a metaphor for sin or wrongdoing—appear sweet and lovely. The comparison to a “canker in the fragrant rose” is significant: a canker (or blight) is a destructive blemish, yet it is described as being in the rose, which itself is a symbol of beauty and virtue. This metaphor emphasizes how something inherently ugly (shame) is made to seem appealing because it is connected to something beautiful (the rose). Shakespeare’s use of the word “budding” further reinforces the idea of newness or potential—highlighting the subject’s innocence and youth being tainted by their own sins. In the final line of the quatrain, Shakespeare introduces another paradox: the subject hides their sins within sweetness. The “sweets” here refer to superficial appearances that mask inner flaws, suggesting that the subject, perhaps knowingly, covers their misdeeds with charm or outward beauty.
Lines 5-8
“That tongue that tells the story of thy days,
Making lascivious comments on thy sport,
Cannot dispraise but in a kind of praise;
Naming thy name blesses an ill report.”
In the second quatrain, Shakespeare critiques the subject’s behavior and the power of their reputation. The “tongue” that recounts the subject’s life (“the story of thy days”) is marked by lasciviousness or immorality, as seen in the reference to “lascivious comments.” Here, Shakespeare might be referring to gossip, rumors, or slander, yet the tone is ironic: even when others speak ill of the subject, it serves to further elevate their status. The phrase “cannot dispraise but in a kind of praise” suggests that the subject’s name is so ingrained in the public consciousness, and so connected with beauty or charm, that even negative commentary inadvertently highlights their allure. The irony here is striking—criticism of the subject’s behavior becomes, paradoxically, a form of flattery. “Naming thy name blesses an ill report” implies that the very mention of the subject’s name transforms any negative judgment into something that draws attention to their allure and mystique.
Lines 9-12
“O, what a mansion have those vices got
Which for their habitation chose out thee,
Where beauty’s veil doth cover every blot,
And all things turns to fair that eyes can see!”
The third quatrain shifts to a more reflective tone, as the speaker meditates on the implications of the subject’s actions. The “mansion” symbolizes the subject’s body or persona, where their “vices” (moral failings or sins) have taken up residence. Shakespeare here reflects on how the subject’s beauty acts as a mask—”beauty’s veil”—that covers up any flaws or imperfections (“blot”). The “mansion” metaphor suggests that these sins have become so deeply embedded in the subject’s persona that they have transformed into a part of their identity. At the same time, the image of beauty transforming all that it touches into something “fair” hints at the power of outward appearance to obscure inner flaws, a central theme in the poem. The external beauty of the subject allows them to transcend the judgments of others, turning their flaws into something that others perceive as perfection.
Lines 13-14
“Take heed, dear heart, of this large privilege;
The hardest knife ill used doth lose his edge.”
The final couplet offers a poignant warning. The speaker, likely with genuine concern, advises the subject to be cautious with the “large privilege” of beauty and charm. The metaphor of the “hardest knife ill used” suggests that something with great potential can lose its power or effectiveness when mishandled. In this case, the “knife” represents the subject’s beauty and the influence they wield over others. If they misuse or abuse this power (perhaps by continuing to cover up their flaws or by giving in to vice), it will eventually lose its edge. This cautionary note at the end of the sonnet speaks to the fragility of beauty and reputation, emphasizing that, like a knife that dulls with misuse, the subject’s charm may eventually be undermined by their own actions.
Conclusion
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 95 is a powerful reflection on the intersection of beauty, sin, and reputation. The poem uses rich metaphors, including the rose, the canker, and the mansion, to explore how outward appearances can conceal moral flaws. Despite the initial seeming praise of the subject, the underlying message is one of caution—beauty, when linked to vice, can ultimately be damaging. The final couplet offers a warning that, though beauty and charm may initially protect someone from criticism, they are not invulnerable to the consequences of misuse. Shakespeare, through his expert use of paradox and metaphor, portrays the fragility of human reputation and the dangers of letting external beauty overshadow inner virtue.
