Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SONNET: 121, by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Tis better to be vile than vile esteemed Last Line: All men are bad, and in their badness reign. | ||||||||
'Tis better to be vile than vile esteem'd, When not to be receives reproach of being, And the just pleasure lost which is so deem'd Not by our feeling but by others' seeing: For why should others false adulterate eyes Give salutation to my sportive blood? Or on my frailties why are frailer spies, Which in their wills count bad what I think good? No, I am that I am, and they that level At my abuses reckon up their own: I may be straight, though they themselves be bevel; By their rank thoughts my deeds must not be shown; Unless this general evil they maintain, All men are bad, and in their badness reign. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...APRIL, FR. LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE ARIEL'S SONG (1) [OR, DIRGE] [OR, A SEA DIRGE]. FR. THE TEMPEST by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE ARIEL'S SONG (2), FR. THE TEMPEST by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE AUBADE [OR, A MORNING SONG FOR IMOGEN], FR. CYMBELINE by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE CALIBAN [ON THE ISLAND], FR. THE TEMPEST by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE FANCY, FR. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE FESTE'S SONG (1), FR. TWELFTH NIGHT by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE FESTE'S SONG (2), FR. TWELFTH NIGHT by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE FRIENDSHIP [OR, THE TRUE FRIEND] by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE HEALTHFUL OLD AGE, FR. AS YOU LIKE IT by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE IMAGINATION, FR. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE |
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