The speaker in sonnet 121 sets forth an announcement of principle; he is not addressing anyone in particular, even though he poses questions. The sonnet functions as a soliloquy in a play would do.
First Quatrain: “’Tis better to be vile than vile esteem’d”
The speaker proclaims his idea that it is better to be a bad person than to be merely thought to be bad by others who do not really know. If gossiping busybodies contend that the target of their gossip is other then he actually is, the latter might feel it incumbent upon himself to change his behavior to suit the gossipers.
In which case, the victim of gossip would be allowing himself to be distorted “not by [his own] feeling, but by others’ seeing.” The speaker disdains such hypocrisy; therefore, he exaggerates the notion that it is better to be “vile than vile esteem’d.”
Second Quatrain: “For why should others’ false adulterate eyes”
The speaker then poses two rhetorical questions, “For why should others’ false adulterate eyes /
Give salutation to my sportive blood?” and “Or on my frailties why are frailer spies, / Which in their wills count bad what I think good?”
Each question contains its own answer: “false adulterate eyes” should never be able to “give “salutation to” anyone’s “sportive blood.” No one should have to modify his/her life according to those who do not see correctly and understand thoroughly. And “frailer spies” cannot be counted on to validly judge the “frailties” of others.
Third Quatrain: “No, I am that I am, and they that level”
The speaker asserts bravely, “I am that I am,” and those who unjustly criticize him are merely airing their own faults. They criticize without understanding him and thus demonstrate that they are the ones who are out of step with reality.
The gossiping critics diminish their own reputation by trying to dull that of one they do not even understand. They possess “rank thoughts” that they foist onto the speaker, thus showing their own pettiness, while nothing genuine about their intended target is even addressed.
The Couplet: “Unless this general evil they maintain”
Such gossiping poseurs who negatively criticize might as well hold that “all men are bad and in their badness reign.” But it is the “general evil” of the poseurs who possess the reign of badness. They would destroy creativity in their own evil. But this speaker exposes their wickedness and blunts their sharp invective.
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