Question

What does the speaker suggest in the line "'Tis better to be vile than vile esteemed"?

• A. Being judged positively is more valuable than being true to oneself
• B. Being wrongly accused is worse than actually being guilty
• C. It is better to be virtuous and perceived as wicked
• D. Being guilty is preferable to being misunderstood

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Being wrongly accused is worse than actually being guilty

• In the line "'Tis better to be vile than vile esteemed," the speaker expresses the frustration of being falsely judged.

• He's essentially saying that it's more tolerable to actually commit a wrong than to suffer the shame of being wrongly accused of one—because at least then, the judgment would be deserved.

• This reflects his deep resentment toward society’s tendency to judge based on appearances or hearsay rather than truth.