Sonnet+29

Time period: Late 15th Century
-a persona of a young man is eluded and he is depressed he feels insecure and trouble, unlucky in the word and very jealous of others. -overly dramatic/ over the top personification- "and trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries" (3)- no one is listening to him -historical influences on the sonnet- in 1592 around when this poem was written the London theater closed down making it hard for Shakespeare and his actors to earn money. "When in disgrace with fortune" (1) - possibly where the line came from. - The poem starts off really dark and depressing, making you feel pity for the persona of the man. But as you move on and hit line 10 things start to turn around and the young man talks about when he "thinks upon thee"(10) "sing hymns at heavens gate"(12) things start to become better, and we see the young depressed man no more depressed. -the only thing that pulls him out of his depression is when we remembers that he had once loved and had been loved. "For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings that then I scorn to change my state with kings" (13-14)

Sonnet 29 Textbook Questions:

__What two moods are contrasted?__

In the beginning of the poem the poet is in a severely depressed state of mind due to his misfortunes, lack of skills and being separated from the young guy. Then towards the end of the poem he appears to be much happier and filled with hope when he remembers of his friendship with the guy.

__What kinds of men does the speaker say he envies?__

He envies men that are better looking, have plenty of friends, have a skill or intelligence and also of what they have accomplished in their life. He envies anything good he sees in others.

__What causes his change of mood in the last few lines of the poem?__

By him remembering a love he once had felt for the young guy, to whom the poem is addressed to. This makes him grasp a more optimistic view of his own life and also the thought of his love is enough to lift him from his depression.

__Judging from the reference in lines 11-12, what would you say the lark symbolizes?__

This symbolizes the poet's rebirth to a life where he can now sing “hymns at heaven's gate” (12).