Notes for Shakespeare's Sonnet 54


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Shakespeare's
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54

5. canker-blooms: dog roses, which are not as sweetly scented as the more familiar damask roses, which are just called "roses" in this sonnet.

5. dye: color.

6. tincture: color.

7. wantonly: sensuously.

9. for: because.  their virtue only is their show i.e., their appearance is their only virtue.

10. unrespected: unregarded.

14. distills: to concentrate or purify by separating the essential elements.