Rich women, including the queen, made themselves additionally beauteous by bleaching their skin with compounds of borax, sulfur, and lead-all at least mildly toxic, sometimes very much more so-for pale skin was a sign of supreme loveliness. {Which makes the "dark lady" of Shakespeare's sonnets an exotic being in the extreme.}
The pursuit of beauty among wealthy women, including royalty, often involved dangerous practices such as using toxic substances to achieve a paler complexion. Compounds like borax, sulfur, and lead were employed in the belief that light skin was a mark of ultimate attractiveness, despite the health risks these compounds posed.
This context adds depth to the characterization of the "dark lady" in Shakespeare's sonnets, highlighting her exotic nature in stark contrast...
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