She is the subject of Shakespeare's passion, a woman of questionable attractiveness and virtue: "And in some perfumes there is more pleasure than in the breath that stinks from my mistress " (book). The use of “stink” was probably not as harsh and damaging to the concept of beauty as it seems to a modern ear. The word did not suggest fetid fumes as it does now. However, from the beginning, it tended to be associated with steamy, sweaty and unpleasant odors. To go along with the concept of his bad breath, his voice was not at all special as Shakespeare points out “That music hath a far more pleasant sound” (book). No matter how better the music, Shakespeare would much rather hear his own voice, and his knowledge of the music's superiority is irrelevant. Many other factors continue to underline its questionable attractiveness. Yet Shakespeare still loves her. Shakespeare's Dark Lady isn't perfect, but he adores her despite her imperfections and credits her with a sense of humor. It is obvious that Shakespeare's love for her is purely erotic, not romantic. He knows better than to lie to her and compare her to goddesses. She walks on the