By: Chelsea Deeley William Shakespeare

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Background of Sonnet 29 Written to the Earl of Southampton (the Young man) This sonnet shows Shakespeare at his lowest point. He feels insecure, troubled, and jealous of the people around him No one knows what caused Shakespeare’s depressing times. However, Sonnet 29 reveals two traumatic events that may have impacted this sonnet.

Background cont. (First event) The first event occurred in 1592 when the London theatres closed due to the outbreak of the plague. The closing of the playhouses made it hard for Shakespeare to earn a living. With this, it made him feel “in disgrace with fortune” (line 1).

Background cont. (second event) The second event also occurred in 1592 when dramatist, Robert Greene, verbally attacked Shakespeare. He described Shakespeare as pompous, scheming, and vicious.

Sonnet 29Paraphrase 1. When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes, 2. I all alone beweep my outcast state 3. And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries 4. And look upon myself and curse my fate, 5. Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, 6. Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd, 7. Desiring this man's art and that man's scope, 8. With what I most enjoy contented least; 9. Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising, 10. Haply I think on thee, and then my state, 11. Like to the lark at break of day arising 12. From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate; 13. For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings 14. That then I scorn to change my state with kings. 1. When I’ve fallen out of favor with fortune and men, 2. All alone I weep over my position as a social outcast, 3. And pray to heaven, but my cries go unheard, 4. And I look at myself, cursing my fate, 5. Wishing I were like one who had more hope, 6. Wishing I looked like him; wishing I were surrounded by friends, 7. Wishing I had this man's skill and that man's freedom. 8. I am least contented with what I used to enjoy most. 9. But, with these thoughts – almost despising myself, 10. I, by chance, think of you and then my melancholy 11. Like the lark at the break of day, rises 12. From the dark earth and (I) sing hymns to heaven; 13. For thinking of your love brings such happiness 14. That then I would not change my position in life with kings. Out of favor Weep over useless Outer appearance Gloomy or dismal

Troublesome Vocabulary cont. Outcast state (2): This is possibly an allusion to Shakespeare’s lack of work due to the closing of the theatres or the attack by Robert Greene.

ANALYSIS: Line 1 When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes, Shakespeare feels that he is out of luck and that the public sees him as an unfavorable person.

ANANLYSIS: Line 2 I all alone beweep my outcast state Shakespeare is implying that his “state” is a state of loneliness and is cast out from society.

ANALYSIS: Lines And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries 4. And look upon myself and curse my fate, These lines are making an allusion to the book of Job found in the Old Testament of the Bible. Job was cast out and called to a God who did not listen. Shakespeare relates to this in that he felt useless.

ANALYSIS: Lines Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, 6. Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd, 7. Desiring this man's art and that man's scope, 8. With what I most enjoy contented least; 9. Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising, In lines 5-9, Shakespeare finds himself envying others. He feels that everyone has something that he lacks. For example, Shakespeare wishes he was wealthier, better looking, and popular.

ANALYSIS: Lines Haply I think on thee, and then my state, 11. Like to the lark at break of day arising 12. From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate; In line 10, Shakespeare reflects on the effects that love has on his “state”. In line 11 he implies that he prefers the day rather than the night because he is much happier then. Line 12 talks about how there seems to be hope when he thinks of the young man.

ANALYSIS: Lines For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings 14. That then I scorn to change my state with kings. In the final couplet, Shakespeare writes that he is better off than being wealthy and royal. The word “state” used in line 14 still exemplifies his emotional well-being like in lines 2 and 10. The love Shakespeare has for the young man is far more greater than the wealth of a king.

Original Sonnet Autumn days AWhen autumn arrives, leaves begin to fall BThe air gets cooler and trees become bare. APeople are missing summer, having withdrawal. BThe thought of endless school days puts us in scare. CSquirrels store supplements of delicacy, DHiding their nuts in the knots of the trees. CThey want them to last like a legacy. DHoping they will find some with such great ease. EPeople rake up the leaves to play a game. FThe game we made up when we were young, EPlaying as if lives were all still the same. FConstant changes, but the memories hung. GAutumn has taken the summer away, GYet every year, memories stay.

Sources sonnets/study-guide/section26/ sonnets/study-guide/section26/

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