Sonnet LXIX

Those parts of thee that the worlds eye doth view 1

Want nothing that the thought of hearts2 can mend3
All tongues, the voice of souls4 give thee that due5
Uttering bare truth, even so as foes commend6
Thy outward thus with outward praise is crownd 7
But those same tongues, that give thee so thine own 8
1 The parts of you that the world judges you on; your physical appearance

2 Personification: Cardiovascular muscles do not have neurological abilities like the brain does that
enables a human being to process words in his/her own consciousness.The thought of hearts means the
inner thoughts of a person, which are generally heart felt.

3 Are lacking, or do not wish to have any, characteristics of your inner self, the thought of hearts is the
things you deeply care about, but dont wish others to know about

4Imagery, specifically, the characteristic and personality of the protagonist,in this case, takes on a divine
personality

5 The voice of souls, or angels, should be spoken by everyone. This is an example of Shakespeare's use
of dramatic imagery, and a tendency to give the protagonist divine or angelic qualities. Give thee that due,
means that these angelic voices give others, or set an example of true and humble speaking to one
another

6 These honest souls utter bare truth, even when his/her enemies command so, the humble people do
not lie, even to defeat his/her enemies

7 The outward speaking of the truth, meaning you speak only what is true, ought to be praised, or
rewarded for honesty.

8 The same speakers of truth give others the opportunity to change. These people forgive, and see a
potential humbleness in everyone

In other accents do this praise confound9

By seeing further than the eye hath shown10
They look into the beauty of thy mind1112
And that in guess, they measure by thy deeds;13
Then churls the thoughts, although their eyes were kind, 14
To thy fair flower add the rank15 smell of weeds;16

9The introduction of the antagonist, the other tongues, who see speaking the truth as a confusing and
ineffective way to get by in life. These people are the liars, who lie and deceive to get through life

10 These cunning and witty liars see past the physical appearance of a man, much like how the voice of
souls can see potential goodness in people, these liars can see a way to manipulate, deceive, or
persuade society.

11 Imagery. Used to describe a persons beauty that comes within, one that they use to deceive people.

12 The liars often can see inside someones mind, and the beauty of it. They use this to persuade people.

13 They guess peoples personality by seeing what theyve done for others, they could either be good
people, or bad

14 Even if the people these liars are deceiving are nice and humble, they will still lie to them to get what
they want.

15 Forceful diction shows the wickedness and foulness of the antagonist

16 The fair flower are the humble and honest people of society. They are beautiful and harm nobody.
Weeds, the antagonist are the liars. They add a negative look to society, which in this case, may be cities.
They are more common, grow everywhere, and are hard to get rid of.

But why thy odour matcheth not thy shown17

The soil18 is this, that thou dost common grow19

17 The author is confused as to why peoples looks never match their personality

18 The Earth that, according to the narrator, is where we are born from. This is another example of
Shakespeares tendency to make references to organic elements or things with a nature quality

19 The narrator finally comes to peace with these people, accepting that they are too common, and hard
to get rid of.