Sonnet 95: How Sweet And Lovely Dost Thou Make The Shame
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.
Line 1:
“How sweet and lovely dost thou make the shame”
Difficult words meaning:
- Sweet and lovely: Pleasant and attractive.
- Shame: Disgrace or wrongdoing.
Explanation:
The speaker begins by addressing the beloved, suggesting that they make their shame appear sweet and lovely, masking its true nature.
Context:
This line sets the tone for the sonnet, introducing the theme of the beloved’s ability to conceal their faults behind their beauty.
Line 2:
“Which, like a canker in the fragrant rose,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Canker: A disease that destroys plants.
- Fragrant rose: A symbol of beauty and purity.
Explanation:
The speaker compares the beloved’s shame to a canker that destroys a beautiful rose, suggesting that their faults are hidden beneath their outward beauty.
Context:
This line emphasizes the idea that the beloved’s beauty conceals their flaws, much like a rose hides the canker within it.
Line 3:
“Doth spot the beauty of thy budding name!”
Difficult words meaning:
- Spot: Mar or blemish.
- Budding name: Growing reputation or honor.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that the beloved’s shame mars their otherwise beautiful and growing reputation.
Context:
This line reflects the speaker’s concern that the beloved’s faults are damaging their reputation, even if they are hidden by their beauty.
Line 4:
“O! in what sweets dost thou thy sins enclose.”
Difficult words meaning:
- Sweets: Pleasant or attractive qualities.
- Enclose: Hide or contain.
Explanation:
The speaker marvels at how the beloved’s sins are hidden within their attractive qualities, making them seem less severe.
Context:
This line underscores the idea that the beloved’s beauty and charm make their faults appear less serious than they truly are.
Line 5:
“That tongue that tells the story of thy days,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Tongue: Speech or gossip.
- Story of thy days: The narrative of your life.
Explanation:
The speaker refers to the gossip or stories that are told about the beloved’s life, suggesting that even these tales are influenced by their beauty.
Context:
This line highlights the power of the beloved’s beauty to shape how others perceive and speak of them.
Line 6:
“Making lascivious comments on thy sport,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Lascivious: Lewd or indecent.
- Sport: Playful or amorous activities.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that even the indecent comments made about the beloved’s activities are influenced by their beauty, making them seem less scandalous.
Context:
This line reflects the speaker’s belief that the beloved’s beauty softens the impact of their scandalous behavior.
Line 7:
“Cannot dispraise, but in a kind of praise;”
Difficult words meaning:
- Dispraise: Criticize or speak ill of.
Explanation:
The speaker claims that even when others try to criticize the beloved, their beauty turns the criticism into a form of praise.
Context:
This line emphasizes the idea that the beloved’s beauty is so powerful that it transforms negative comments into compliments.
Line 8:
“Naming thy name blesses an ill report.”
Difficult words meaning:
- Blesses: Sanctifies or makes holy.
- Ill report: Bad reputation or gossip.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that merely mentioning the beloved’s name can turn even bad gossip into something positive, as their beauty sanctifies it.
Context:
This line underscores the transformative power of the beloved’s beauty, which can turn negative perceptions into positive ones.
Line 9:
“O! what a mansion have those vices got”
Difficult words meaning:
- Mansion: A grand or luxurious dwelling.
- Vices: Faults or sins.
Explanation:
The speaker marvels at how the beloved’s vices have found a grand dwelling in their beauty, suggesting that their faults are hidden and even enhanced by their attractiveness.
Context:
This line reflects the speaker’s belief that the beloved’s beauty provides a luxurious cover for their faults.
Line 10:
“Which for their habitation chose out thee,”
Difficult words meaning:
- Habitation: Dwelling or residence.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that the beloved’s vices have chosen to reside within them, taking advantage of their beauty to remain hidden.
Context:
This line emphasizes the idea that the beloved’s beauty serves as a perfect hiding place for their faults.
Line 11:
“Where beauty’s veil doth cover every blot”
Difficult words meaning:
- Veil: Cover or mask.
- Blot: Stain or blemish.
Explanation:
The speaker claims that the beloved’s beauty acts as a veil, covering every blemish and fault, making them invisible to others.
Context:
This line underscores the idea that the beloved’s beauty conceals their flaws, allowing them to remain unblemished in the eyes of others.
Line 12:
“And all things turns to fair that eyes can see!”
Difficult words meaning:
- Fair: Beautiful or pleasing.
Explanation:
The speaker suggests that the beloved’s beauty transforms everything they touch into something beautiful, as seen by the eyes of others.
Context:
This line reflects the speaker’s belief that the beloved’s beauty has the power to make even flawed things appear perfect.
Line 13:
“Take heed, dear heart, of this large privilege;”
Difficult words meaning:
- Take heed: Be cautious or careful.
- Large privilege: Great advantage or benefit.
Explanation:
The speaker warns the beloved to be cautious of the great advantage their beauty gives them, as it can be misused.
Context:
This line introduces a note of caution, as the speaker advises the beloved to be mindful of the power their beauty holds.
Line 14:
“The hardest knife ill-used doth lose his edge.”
Difficult words meaning:
- Hardest knife: Strongest or sharpest tool.
- Ill-used: Misused or abused.
- Lose his edge: Become dull or ineffective.
Explanation:
The speaker concludes by warning that even the strongest tool, when misused, can lose its effectiveness, suggesting that the beloved’s beauty, if misused, can also lose its power.
Context:
This final line ties together the sonnet’s central theme: the beloved’s beauty is a powerful tool, but it must be used wisely, or it will lose its effectiveness.
Overall Summary:
In Sonnet 95, Shakespeare explores the themes of beauty, concealment, and the potential for misuse. The speaker marvels at how the beloved’s beauty makes their shame and faults appear sweet and lovely, masking their true nature. He notes that even gossip and criticism are transformed into praise by the beloved’s attractiveness. However, the speaker also warns the beloved to be cautious of the great privilege their beauty affords them, as it can be misused and lose its power. The sonnet is a meditation on the transformative power of beauty and the importance of using it wisely.
In-Depth Analysis of Sonnet 95
Summary
Sonnet 95 explores the paradox of beauty concealing vice. The poet marvels at how the Fair Youth’s physical attractiveness allows his moral failings to be overlooked or even admired. However, Shakespeare warns that this privilege is dangerous—like a knife that dulls from misuse, unchecked sin will ultimately lead to ruin.
In the first quatrain, Shakespeare sets up the contrast between beauty and corruption:
- The youth makes shame seem “sweet and lovely.”
- His sins are compared to a “canker in the fragrant rose,” meaning they corrupt his beauty from within.
- His name, which should be pristine, is now “spotted”—yet his outward attractiveness softens the disgrace.
The second quatrain deepens the irony:
- Even when others speak of his sinful actions (“lascivious comments on thy sport”), their words sound like praise rather than condemnation.
- Simply mentioning his name seems to “bless an ill report,” as if his reputation is untouchable.
The third quatrain intensifies the metaphor of beauty hiding vice:
- His vices have found a luxurious home (“mansion”) in him.
- His “beauty’s veil” covers all his flaws, making even his sins appear fair to others.
The final couplet delivers the warning:
- His beauty gives him a “large privilege,” but he must take heed lest he squander it.
- The metaphor of a “knife ill-used losing its edge” suggests that moral corruption will ultimately dull even the sharpest of gifts.
Critical Analysis
1. The Danger of Superficial Charm
The poem warns that external beauty can disguise internal flaws.
- The Fair Youth is so attractive that even his “shame” seems appealing.
- Shakespeare implies that society is too easily swayed by appearances, allowing beauty to excuse immorality.
2. Corruption as an Internal Rot
The “canker in the fragrant rose” is a powerful image of hidden decay.
- The rose symbolizes the Fair Youth’s beauty, while the canker (a disease) represents his moral corruption.
- This mirrors Sonnet 94’s theme: a beautiful thing, when tainted, becomes worse than something that was never beautiful at all.
3. Irony in Praise and Condemnation
The youth’s misdeeds should be condemned, but his charm makes them seem praiseworthy.
- The phrase “Naming thy name blesses an ill report” suggests that his reputation sanctifies even his sins.
- Shakespeare presents this as both a marvel and a danger—such privilege can lead to recklessness.
4. The Warning: Beauty is Not Eternal
The final couplet warns that misusing one’s gifts leads to their destruction.
- The “hardest knife” represents strength and sharpness, but improper use dulls its edge.
- This suggests that the Fair Youth’s beauty and charm, if abused, will eventually lose their power.
Theme Analysis
1. The Deceptive Power of Beauty
- The Fair Youth’s beauty shields him from criticism.
- However, this protection is temporary—he cannot rely on appearance forever.
2. Inner Corruption vs. Outer Appearance
- The “canker in the rose” metaphor suggests that vice, once embedded, will spread and destroy even the most beautiful things.
- Shakespeare urges the youth to recognize and correct his faults before they consume him.
3. The Consequences of Moral Neglect
- The “knife losing its edge” symbolizes how careless indulgence weakens even the strongest qualities.
- This is a warning that unchecked sin will erode not just beauty, but character and reputation.
Literary Devices
1. Metaphor: The Rose and the Canker
- The rose symbolizes the youth’s beauty and reputation.
- The canker represents his moral failings, which quietly eat away at his goodness.
2. Irony: Praise in Condemnation
- Even criticism of the youth sounds like admiration (“Naming thy name blesses an ill report.”).
- This irony underscores how beauty distorts perception.
3. Symbolism: The Knife
- The knife represents the youth’s talents and advantages.
- If misused, even the strongest tools become dull—a metaphor for how neglecting virtue will lead to decline.
Conclusion
Sonnet 95 is a powerful reflection on how beauty can obscure moral failings. Shakespeare warns the Fair Youth that his privilege will not last forever—if he misuses his gifts, they will inevitably dull and fade.
