Transcript William Shakespeare – Sonnet 29

Pops Chiarappa, Tyler Roeder, Mitch Washburn
When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state

I feel ashamed about my lack of wealth,
I am concerned with how others view me
I am not content with my current wealth and lifestyle

Literary Devices
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Assonance
Consonance
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
And look upon myself and curse my fate,

I am crying and shouting to the heavens about my misfortunes
And I curse my life

Literary Devices


Assonance
 Consonance
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd,

I wish I was rich like the other men
Also desiring to be popular and have many friends
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Literary Devices
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
Anadiplosis
 Consonance
 Assonance
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;


I desire the traits and status of other men
The things I enjoy most in life, I lack the most

Literary Devices

Consonance
 Assonance
 Alliteration
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,

REVERSAL
I start to detest my previous thoughts
I start to think about the girl and become happy

Literary Devices



Consonance
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;

My state of mind changes like the beginning of a new day
I have somewhat of a spiritual experience

Literary Devices


Simile
 Consonance
For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Her love is my true wealth
I believe that through this love I am richer than a king

Literary Devices


Consonance
 Alliteration
Question 1:
What is the speaker’s state of mind in the
following lines:
When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,

The speaker is jealous of the wealth and
possessions of other men. His envy leads to a
depressed demeanor, which is evident in his
self-lamentation and appeals to the heavens.
Question 2:
What is striking about the comparison in lines
10 to 12?
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;

The speaker’s viewpoint changes in these lines.
He realizes that material wealth should not be
his greatest priority. He appreciates the value of
the love he receives from his significant other.
This change is emphasized through the use of
simile. The scene of a lark singing at the break of
day represents change, or a new beginning. The
transition from earth to heaven represents a
spiritual, Godly experience from humble
beginning. Lines 10 to 12 reveal the turn in this
sonnet as the speaker’s thoughts and personality
are rapidly altered.
Question 3
How much of the content of this sonnet is
limited to Shakespeare's era, and how much is
still appropriate today?
This poem is relevant because it reveals the
extent of human emotion. It emphasizes the
feelings of jealousy and envy, combated by the
magnitude of love. This sonnet also displays
the ability of the individual to change.

The theme of Sonnet 29 is to show the
importance of love. Money, society, and
possessions are displayed as inferior
components of humanity. The speaker
changes to embrace the value of love which
makes him superior to a king and those of
higher social classes.