Analysis of Sonnet 29 Essay

Sonnet Essay; Sonnet 29

In the Elizabethan era, William Shakespeare was one of the most famous authors of his time, who still lives among us today in his works of literature. Shakespeare is famous for his sonnets and plays which are, for the most part, always dramatically tragic. Shakespeare had utilized his ability as an amazing author because writing in sonnet form during his time was a very popular form of expressing ones love among men in the upper class of society. Shakespeare was one of the most talented writers of all time, and Sonnet 29 portrays his talent because it contains a theme and literary devices that come together in the standard sonnet form.

The emotional state of the speaker in Sonnet 29 is one of depression. In the first line of the sonnet, the speaker states, When in disgrace of fortune and mens eyes supports the theme of depression. The speaker is implying that he is not having good luck because of his disgrace of fortune. The speaker also implies that the general public views him as unfavorable because of the disgrace of fortune and mens eyes. With this being implied, it is enforced in line 2, when the speaker mentions how he weeps all alone over his outcaste state. Another theme of the poem is envy or jealously. The speaker is found to envy another man because in line 6-7 he states, Featured like him, like him with friends possessd, Desiring this mans art and that mans scope. The speaker is saying he is envious of other men having friends, good looks, skill and confidence. The sonnet then turns to the point where the speaker says he is grateful for the love he has with an unknown person to the reader. Many and literary experts have believed that Shakespeare had directed this poem to another man, in a homosexual manner, because sonnets were typically directed towards ones lover, and Shakespeare often refers to the person his sonnet is directed to as a man. Shakespeare does an amazing job expressing the themes of depression, and envy that is overcome by love within the fourteen lines of Sonnet 29.

Shakespeare effectively utilizes literary devices in Sonnet 29 to contribute to the theme of depression and envy which is overcome by love. In the beginning lines of the sonnet, an allusion to Job of the Old Testament is present. Job was an outcast, and called to God, who did not listen to his cry for help, and then had looked down upon himself for falling out of Gods favor. The allusion is evident in line 2-3 when the speaker states, I all alone beweep my outcast state and trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries and look upon myself and curse my fate. This is an allusion because the speaker himself is an outcast, and the trouble deaf heaven is the inattentive God to his helpless but useless cries. The speaker then curses his fate for not being in Gods good graces. The trouble deaf heaven is also a form of personification because heaven cant literally be deaf. With the allusion and the personification, Shakespeare accurately portrays his main ideas of the sonnet, and makes them easily understood and interpreted. The simile of lark is found on line 11-12 when the speaker says, Like to the lark at break of day arising from sullen earth, signs hymns at heavens gates. The lark is used as a simile to describe how the thought of his lover has such a profound effect on his emotional well-being. Alliteration is also found on line 12 when the speaker states hymns at heavens. Shakespeare does a very well job providing a visual image to the reader, especially on line 12-13 when he states break of day arising from sullen earth. Just this sentence alone provides a vivid mental picture of a sun rise, and heavens gates. And that relation of peace and happiness of day time is related to the speakers love for this man. Shakespeare does an extraordinary job using literary devices to portray his theme of depression, and envy which is overcome by love.

Sonnet form of the Elizabethan era contributed to the theme of Sonnet 29. The general structure of an Elizabethan sonnet consists of a specific set of rules. A Sonnet is fourteen lines long, with ten syllables per line. The fourteen lines are broken up into 3 quatrains, and one couplet. A quatrain is a stanza containing four lines, and a couplet contains two lines. Each quatrain and the couplet contains a rhyme scheme. The first quatrain follows the rhyme scheme of A,B,A,B. Then the second quatrain follows the rhyme scheme of C,D,C,D and the third follows the rhyme scheme of E,F,E,F. The couplet always ends the sonnet, with the rhyme scheme of G,G. Lines 1-12 focus on one topic, generally about love or some effect of it. The couplet closes the sonnet with a summary, or more commonly an ironic twist. For example, in Sonnet 29, Shakespeare writes about his depression and envy for men with possessions he would love to acquire, but the couplet, lines 13-14, states For thy sweet love rememberd such wealth brings that then I scorn to change my state with kings. The speaker is stating how this man brings him such great happiness, that he would never change his position in life, even if it were in trade to be a king. Shakespeare is very accurate is following the typical guidelines for an Elizabethan sonnet form, as seen in Sonnet 29, and he accurately uses sonnet form to contribute to the theme.

Sonnet 29 is one of Shakespeares famous pieces of literature. The Elizabethan era style of writing inspired Shakespeare to begin writing sonnets. Sonnet 29 portrays a them of depression and envy due to lack of fortune and physical qualities or possessions but both are overcome by the power of love proved in the ironic twist. Literary devices such as allusion, personifications and similes contribute to the theme along with the Elizabethan sonnet form. Overall, Shakespeare created a great piece of literature that is still famous today, and Im sure Sonnet 29 will be read in the future!