Poem #1 and Author

Analysis of Close Reading

Sonnet 29 By: William Shakespeare 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, Featur'd 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.

Society is full of dissatisfaction. Everyone wants more, whether it is money, friends, beauty, or intelligence. In Sonnet 29, William Shakespeare expresses the power of love over material possessions and superficial traits; consequently, he also goes against the idea that wealth and influence are the most important things in the world. By putting a strong emphasis on his narrators envy of others, Shakespeare is able to give his revelation of love a more powerful meaning. The sonnet form is instrumental in creating this effect. Shakespeare creates the conflict in the first two quatrains as he lists all the things the speaker desires. He [curses] his fate and cries at his outcast state (Shakespeare 2-4). He wishes to be more rich and hope, to have someones art and anothers scope (Shakespeare 5-7). This creates a woeful, melancholy tone that endures for the majority of the poem. At the third quatrain, the mood begins to change. Shakespeare uses a simile, like to the lark at break of day arising to describe the turn of events, comparing the mans realization to the dawn of a new day (11). However, the reader is left in suspense at what the revelation truly is. It is only in the conclusion of the poem that Shakespeare states there is nothing the speaker would trade his lover for. Through the sonnet form, the tension created by the conflict of the speakers desires is able to be emphasized, just as the impact of the resolution is able to be strengthened. The emphasis of the conflict is also highlighted through the repetition of phrases and words. This creates monotony, almost as if the speaker is simply listing off the things he wants, such as to be featured like him, like him with friends possessd (6). The repetition is also supported by the ABAB rhyme scheme, which creates a steady, albeit tedious, rhythm. Not only does this slow down the moment, it also possesses a negative tone towards those desires through the mans complaints. When the poem turns towards his revelation though, the

repetition ceases. Shakespeare introduces the simile of the lark and the imagery of the morning. He also creates the picture of angels through the hymns at heavens gate and uses words with positive connotations such as sweet (11-13). The variation in speech and differences in tone from the beginning of the poem highlight the power and light love has over the speakers darker desires. Through this Shakespeare is able to use the emphasis of the conflict in order to provide a stunning resolution to the mans problemshis love. Sonnet 29s ideas of love over wealth and societal influence are parallel with Jane Austens themes in Pride and Prejudice. Similar to the speaker of the poem, Elizabeth is pressured with social influences on outside appearances and possessions, particularly in the area of marriage. It was customary in the Victorian era, the time when the novel was written, that young women married for money and social status. For their families, a respectable and prosperous husband was the most important goal for their daughters as a females class was determined by her spouse. This is seen with Mrs. Bennet, who is predominately preoccupied with marrying off her daughters in order to ensure their future monetary well-bringing. However, much like the speaker of Shakespeares sonnet, Elizabeth rebels against such expectations. She turns down a proposal from Mr. Collins because she believes in marrying for happiness and love, and she only accepts Mr. Darcys proposal at the conclusion of the novel, when she realizes her feelings towards him. Through her actions, Austen demonstrates the power of love over material desires, just as Shakespeare does in Sonnet 29.