Talk:Joseph Haydn

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Biography: Musicians

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Composers

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Physical description

Haydn had a dark complexion and black eyes. His nose, large and aquiline... Using this description to describe a man as ugly, especially when he doesn't look ugly by any standard (except Hitler's) in any known portrait can be very problematic. It doesn't matter if the original reference makes this assumption or not. A dark complexion, dark eye color and an aquiline nose cannot make a person (especially a man) "ugly". I hope I'm not the only one who is concerned about the problematic subtle racism in this passage. Even if his overall appearance wasn't ideal and his medical issues contributed to that, one cannot use these words to describe ugliness. This should be unacceptable in the 21st century. Wikipedia is an encyclopaedia, not a neo-nazi website...Mozart had a similar appearance, short stature, big dark eyes and an aquiline nose but wasn't described as "ugly". Justice for Haydn! 62.4.55.104 (talk) 14:14, 21 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]

I think you have a point, and implemented the removal. (Also, I got a "thanks" for this edit from editor GerdaArendt, so I'm not the only one who agrees with you.) Opus33 (talk) 20:45, 9 January 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Suggest changing wording…

"Haydn and his wife had a completely unhappy marriage". There are many alternative ways to express this, all of which sound more professional. It's not wrong, just awkward. 2ToneEric (talk) 14:28, 19 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Gosh. I wrote it because it is probably true. I have never seen any evidence that either party received any happiness or contentment from their marriage, and there was much bitterness. But you're probably not the only one complaining, so I will take out "completely". Opus33 (talk) 17:37, 19 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]