Sonnet 29

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Sonnet 29 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.

Contents 1 Synopsis 2 Sonnet 29 in popular culture 3 See also 4 External links 5 Notes

[edit] Synopsis

Sonnet 29 by William Shakespeare begins with the speaker describing moments of great sadness, in which he cries over his "outcast state" by himself. This "outcast state" may refer to either a generally unfavorable standing in society or a lack of financial success in the playwriting field. One possible explanation for this lack of success is the closing of London theatres in 1592 due to a plague epidemic. Another suggested reason for Shakespeare's "outcast state" is an instance of harsh public criticism of Shakespeare by fellow playwright Robert Greene. The attack may have had a deep impact on Shakespeare.^[1] The speaker then says that in these times he "trouble[s] deaf heaven with his bootless cries", meaning his prayers and exhortations are to no avail. The word "trouble" has particular interest because it suggests that he believes his prayers bother heaven, which shows a general exhaustion of hope and faith on the part of the speaker. He continues by wishing himself to be like someone with more prospects, someone more attractive, someone with more friends, and someone with greater artistic skill and range of opportunity. The speaker then reveals that he is least satisfied in the things he enjoys most.

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;

The "turn" at the beginning of the third quatrain occurs when the poet by chance ("haply") happens to think upon the young man to whom the poem is addressed, which makes him assume a more optimistic view of his own life. The speaker compares such a change in mood to a lark rising from the early morning darkness at sunrise, singing "hymns at heaven's gate." This expression was most probably the inspiration for american poet Wallace Stevens when he wrote the poem The Worms at Heaven's Gate in Harmonium. The couplet is an emotional declaration that remembrance of his friend's love is enough for him to value his position in life more than a king's.

[edit] Sonnet 29 in popular culture

Rufus Wainwright put the sonnet to music for the album When Love Speaks, which was a 2002 album of poetry recitals. The CD also features performances by Annie Lennox, Trevor Eve, Bryan Ferry and Alan Rickman.

[edit] See also

Shakespeare's sonnets

[edit] External links

• CliffsNotes on the sonnet

[edit] Notes

1. ^ http://www.shakespeare-online.com/sonnets/29detail.html