Question

How does Shakespeare explain two facets of a human being in sonnet 94?

Answer 1

In the poem "Sonnet 94" Shakespeare has explained the two faces of humans by saying that they are different on the outer surface and have a different inner self.

Explanation:

• He says that humans mostly fall for the outer looks of other people and they do not analyze the inner self of that person.

• He says that this is the reason why humans try to polish their outer self as compared to look after their inner self.

Answer 2

The speaker discusses in Shakespeare's sonnet 94 the idea of exterior beauty in contrast with internal character. How does one decide which is more useful and valuable for a meaningful life? The speaker presents his own thoughts as he dramatises the Kingdom of plants and its variety of beautiful flowers with that of "ugly weeds"

Explanation:

• The speaker claims that the actions of an individual can be  unacceptable, notwithstanding his pleasant  personality & appearance. In the first quatrain of the 94 sonnet, the speaker becomes more abstract because he defines a characteristic which is the repository for the ability to harm other people. This specific form of personality will display its strength as he fails to act upon it. This kind of personality will also stay "untouched, cold" and thus not excel in the temptation to exhibit extravagant sentimental outburst.
• The speakers then states that all persons who display personal conduct  "inherit the graces of the heavens." The slow, cool to enrage type comes by his "temperament", not by learning, rather by inherent nature. In addition to inheriting the even-mindedness, this person has the potential to "costly man nature 's wealth." The power that such a person is born can be used to control other people 's nature. While the controllers are "masters and managers," the other people are those who profit or reap the misery, based on the true nature of the personality which the mighty person will finally dramatise.
• The speaker then contrasts the plant kingdom with his thoughts on the supposed interesting personalities. Whilst a flower can be 'sweet in summer,' 'in itself,' it just 'lives and dies.' But if the same bloom gets infected with a canker worm, it is more unattractive than a weed plant.  The natural weeds which remain healthy "outbrave" the formerly sweet flora's "dignity." Even the weed that doesn't smell good and naturally doesn't emit so pleasant odour  would not fling stench  of a rotting" formerly sweet-smelling flora"