Shakespeare's Sonnet 29 PDF

SHAKESPEARE‘S SONNET 29 Prepared by: Julie Anne A. Malfetria, BEE III-1 WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE William Shakespeare was a renowned English poet, playwright, and actor born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. He married Anne Hathaway at the age of 18 and had 3 children. Shakespeare’s first printed works we...

SHAKESPEARE‘S SONNET 29 Prepared by: Julie Anne A. Malfetria, BEE III-1 WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE William Shakespeare was a renowned English poet, playwright, and actor born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. He married Anne Hathaway at the age of 18 and had 3 children. Shakespeare’s first printed works were published which are two long poems, 'Venus and Adonis' (1593) and 'The Rape of Lucrece' (1594). He also became a founding member of The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a company of actors. Shakespeare's works include 38 plays, 2 narrative poems, 154 sonnets, and a variety of other poems. Shakespeare retired to Stratford before 1610 and lived as a country gentleman until his death. The first collected edition of his plays, or First Folio, was published in 1623. SONNET Formalist Approach 29 Shakespearean Sonnet Sonet 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 possessed, Desiring this man’s art, and that man’s scope, With what I most enjoy contented least; Yet in these thoughts my self 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 remembered such wealth brings. That then I scorn to change my state with kings.  Who could be speaking in the poem? How would you describe the speaker?  Who could be speaking in the poem? How would The speaker in Sonnet 29 is a persona who you describe the initially expresses deep dissatisfaction with their own circumstances and envy of others for their speaker? perceived successes. The speaker appears to be struggling with feelings of pessimism and a sense of being out of favor with fortune and society. This tone of pessimism and lamentation is evident as they compare their own perceived failures and misfortunes with the successes of others. Is there a direct addressee? Who could be the addressee in the poem? Is there a direct addressee? Who could be the addressee in the poem? The poem does not directly address anyone explicitly in its lines. It could be anyone who reads the poem.  What is the subject (topic) of the poem? What is the basic situation?  What is the subject (topic) of the poem? What is the basic situation? The subject of the poem is the speaker's profound sense of dissatisfaction and emotional struggle due to their perceived misfortunes and social standing. The basic situation involves the speaker reflecting on their own setbacks and failures, which lead to feelings of envy towards those who seem more successful or fortunate. The speaker feels inferior and isolated, wrapped with discontent and despair. What is the overall mood of the poem? How do the words and images help create the mood of the poem? What is the overall The mood of the poem in the beginning is melancholic and isolated but shifts to joy and mood of the poem? hope by the end of the poem. How do the words and images help When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes create the mood of I all alone beweep my outcast state the poem? These lines set the mood of sadness and isolation felt from being rejected by both luck and society. It symbolizes the alienation and frustration that one might feel when they isolate themselves from other people. The phrase “all alone” suggests the loneliness that the persona feels without someone to accompany them. The “outcast state” reflects the persona’s feeling of being outcast or inferior from others. What is the overall And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries mood of the poem? And look upon myself, and curse my fate How do the words and images help These lines reinforce the mood of despair. The create the mood of speaker's cries are "bootless" (futile), suggesting that their pleas for help are unheard and the poem? ineffective. The phrase "trouble deaf heaven" symbolizes the ineffectiveness of their attempts to find solace, further deepening the mood of frustration and helplessness. Haply I think on thee, and then my state This line marks a significant shift in the mood. The thought of the beloved introduces a change from despair to a sense of relief and hope. What is the overall mood of the poem? How do the words Like to the lark at break of day arising From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven’s and images help gate create the mood of the poem? The imagery of the lark rising at dawn symbolizes renewal, hope, and optimism. The lark’s song represents the speaker’s emotional upliftment which vividly contrasts the earlier mood of melancholy with a newfound sense of positivity. What is the tone of the persona? How do the words and images support the tone? What is the tone of the persona? How The tone of the persona shifts from despair and do the words and frustration to hope and contentment. images support the tone? And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries And look upon myself, and curse my fate The term “bootless cries” conveys a tone of hopelessness and frustration as the persona pleads to heaven yet remains unanswered, highlighting their desperation. The phrase “curse my fate” emphasized the tone of frustration and resentment towards themself because they felt helpless. What is the tone of the persona? How Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, do the words and Featured like him, like him with friends images support the possessed, tone? Desiring this man’s art, and that man’s scope, The tone here reflects insecurity and envy. The speaker laments their lack of hope and compares themselves unfavorably to others who possess desirable qualities or social advantages. The line also highlights the word ‘friends’ which can be attributed to the strong desire of companionship or support from others. What is the tone of the persona? How With what I most enjoy contented least; do the words and Yet in these thoughts my self almost images support the despising, tone? Haply I think on thee, and then my state, The tone here shifts towards self-doubt and self- loathing, as the speaker feels unfulfilled by things that should bring joy and is on the verge of despising themselves. The phrase “my self almost despising” indicates a deep inner conflict and self-reproach. However, this tone begins to shift as the speaker contemplates their beloved What is the tone of the persona? How For thy sweet love remembered such wealth do the words and brings images support the That then I scorn to change my state with tone? kings. The tone becomes one of gratitude and contentment. The phrase “sweet love remembered” symbolizes the profound positive impact of love on the speaker’s emotional state. The speaker expresses that the love they remember brings them such deep satisfaction that they would not trade their position for that of a king.  What is the main message or theme of the poem?  What is the main message or theme of the poem? Love is a deeply transformative force that transcends life’s challenges and adversities. It offers solace, hope, and new beginnings, instilling a renewed sense of purpose and optimism. Through love, one experiences an elevation in self-worth and a profound increase in happiness, transforming one’s outlook on life. What figures of speech and other literary devices were used to present the theme? List the figures of speech/devices and explain each. METAPHOR When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes The metaphor of being "in disgrace with fortune" implies that the persona feels out of favor or unlucky, as if they have fallen from grace or are marked by misfortune. And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries "bootless cries" metaphorically suggests that the speaker’s pleas to heaven are ineffective and futile. The term “bootless” means without purpose or benefit, emphasizing the persona’s sense of helplessness and frustration in seeking relief or intervention. SIMILE Like to the lark at break of day arising The simile compares the speaker’s uplifted emotional state to a lark rising at dawn. This comparison conveys a sense of renewal and optimism. PERSONIFICATION And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries Heaven is personified as “deaf,” which emphasizes its unresponsiveness to the speaker’s cries. This personification underscores the speaker’s feelings of abandonment and ineffectiveness, as if even the divine realm is indifferent to their suffering. IRONY With what I most enjoy contented least The irony lies in the contrast between the speaker’s enjoyment and their lack of satisfaction. Despite engaging in activities that should bring joy, the speaker feels discontent. HYPERBOLE For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings The hyperbole here exaggerates the value of the beloved’s love as a form of “wealth” beyond material measures. It suggests that the love received is so valuable that it surpasses any material or worldly success That then I scorn to change my state with kings This conveys that the speaker values their state of being in love so highly that they would not trade it for the position of a king. SYMBOLISM From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven’s gate Heaven’s gate symbolizes a state of sublime joy or spiritual fulfillment, while the lark represents a new beginning or emotional renewal.  How do the words, images, and figures of speech help support the theme?  How do the words, images, and figures of speech help support the theme? The use of the words, images, and figures of speech reinforces that love ultimately brings salvation to those who experience it. The figures of speech highlights the shift of the tone from being an outcast to experiencing deep contentment with their beloved.  What is the structure of the poem? How does the poetic structure help support the tone, mood, and theme of the poem?  What is the structure of the poem? How does the The poem is made up of three quatrains, or poetic structure sets of four lines, and one concluding couplet, help support the or set of two rhyming lines. The poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme that conforms to tone, mood, and the pattern of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, and it is theme of the poem? written in iambic pentameter. The progression from despair to joy is mirrored in the structure. This structured rhyme scheme and meter influences the rhythmic flow of the poem, enhancing its emotional impact. On a scale of 1-10, how do you evaluate the poem? Why?  On a scale of 1-10, how do you evaluate the poem? Why? 9/10 I would give it a 9 out of 10. There is an artistic use of language, employing imagery, symbolism, and a controlled structure. The theme of love being transformative is effectively conveyed to the readers, highlighting the shift in the emotions of the persona. It also uses less complex words that helps the readers understand the meaning of the poem. It is also relatable and evokes strong responses from the readers. However, the dramatic shift of the mood and tone of the poem appears to be overidealizing that love can completely overturn feelings of despair.  Thank You William Shakespeare Biography. (n.d.). Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore- shakespeare/shakespedia/william-shakespeare/william-shakespeare-biography/ Sonnet 29: When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes Poem Summary and Analysis | LitCharts. (n.d.). LitCharts. https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/william-shakespeare/sonnet-29-when-in-disgrace-with-fortune- and-men-s-eyes