The Sonnets of Shakespeare

The Network Layout of each sonnet shows how Shakespeare wove together words to build a sonnet. Each circle is a word and the lines show the direction (or link) to the next word. The color of the circle is an approximate indication of the Part of Speech while the color of the button on the other hand signifies how textually similar is the selected sonnet to the others (detected by an algorithm !). Hover over a button to view additional information. The sonnet currently selected - Sonnet 127 is most textually similar to Sonnet 106 (25.69 %). Low High

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Sonnet 127

In the old age black was not counted fair,

Or if it were, it bore not beauty's name;

But now is black beauty's successive heir,

And beauty slander'd with a bastard shame:


For since each hand hath put on Nature's power,

Fairing the foul with Art's false borrowed face,

Sweet beauty hath no name, no holy bower,

But is profan'd, if not lives in disgrace.


Therefore my mistress' eyes are raven black,

Her eyes so suited, and they mourners seem

At such who, not born fair, no beauty lack,

Sland'ring creation with a false esteem:


Yet so they mourn becoming of their woe,

That every tongue says beauty should look so.