Sonnet 70

Song Meaning

This sonnet confronts accusations leveled against a beloved individual, framing them not as flaws but as evidence of their inherent goodness and beauty. The speaker argues that slander is a common fate for the fair, a mere "mark" on those who shine brightly. The lyrics suggest that such criticism actually validates the person's worth, implying that only the most precious things attract the "canker vice." The central tension lies in the contrast between external blame and internal purity. The speaker asserts that the subject has navigated the "ambush of young days" unscathed, either by avoiding trouble or by overcoming it. This resilience, however, is presented as insufficient to quell persistent envy, which the speaker believes will always find a way to express itself. The most striking craft element is the extended metaphor of beauty as a target. The fair are described as having "slander's mark" and being a "crow that flies in heaven's sweetest air" – a striking image suggesting that even the most beautiful things can be perceived negatively by those with ill intent. The poem also uses contrasting ideas like "pure unstained prime" versus "canker vice" to highlight the subject's virtue. Ultimately, the lyrics aim to reassure the subject and perhaps the reader that external criticism is a testament to one's value, not a refutation of it. The poem suggests that true worth is only amplified when it withstands the inevitable "suspect of ill," implying that without any perceived flaw, the subject would possess an unparalleled power over hearts.