Sonnet 129 by William Shakespeare | The expense of spirit in a waste of shame | Sonnet 129 | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | William Shakespeare | Word Meaning | Questions Answers | Critical Appreciation | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
Sonnet 129
Th’ expense of spirit in a waste of shame
Th’ expense of spirit in a waste of shame
Is lust in action; and till action, lust
Is perjured, murd’rous, bloody, full of blame,
Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust,
Enjoyed no sooner but despisèd straight,
Past reason hunted; and, no sooner had
Past reason hated as a swallowed bait
On purpose laid to make the taker mad;
Mad in pursuit and in possession so,
Had, having, and in quest to have, extreme;
A bliss in proof and proved, a very woe;
Before, a joy proposed; behind, a dream.
All this the world well knows; yet none knows well
To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell.
Sonnet 129 by William Shakespeare: YouTube Link
Sonnet 129 by William Shakespeare Analysis
Th’ expense of spirit in a waste of shame
Is lust in action;
Explanation
This opening line sets the stage for the poem’s central theme: the destructive power of uncontrolled desire. It paints a stark picture of how lustful pursuits drain our emotional and mental energy, leaving us in a wasteland of remorse.
Poetic devices
Metaphor: Comparing lust’s consequences to a barren wasteland accentuates its devastating impact.
and till action, lust
Is perjured, murd’rous, bloody, full of blame,
Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust,
Explanation
This line clarifies that lust isn’t just a fleeting thought, but an active force that leads to negative consequences. Even the contemplation of lust, before it manifests into action, carries the potential for harm. The speaker intensifies the description of lust, using powerful adjectives like “perjured,” “murderous,” and “bloody” to emphasize its destructive nature. It suggests how unchecked desire can lead to deceit, violence, and irreparable harm.
Poetic Device
Enjambment: The sentence flows seamlessly onto the next line, highlighting the continuous nature of desire.
Alliteration: The repetition of harsh consonant sounds “b” creates a jarring effect, mirroring the unsettling nature of lust.
Hyperbole: describes lust as “murd’rous, bloody, full of blame,” which is an exaggeration used to highlight the negative consequences of lust.
Enjoyed no sooner but despisèd straight,
Explanation
It captures the fleeting nature of pleasure derived from impulsive actions, particularly those fueled by desire. The “enjoyed” suggests a moment of satisfaction, but the quick shift to “despised straight” reveals the immediate flip side – disgust and regret. This stark contrast emphasizes the fleetingness of such pleasure and the lasting impact of the negative emotions that follow.
Past reason hunted;
Explanation
The phrase “past reason hunted” paints a vivid picture of desire outpacing logic and control. It suggests a relentless pursuit, driven by something beyond rationality, like an insatiable hunger or an intoxicating obsession. This single line captures the essence of lust’s destructive power: its ability to blind us to reason and lead us down a dangerous path.
and, no sooner had
Past reason hated as a swallowed bait
On purpose laid to make the taker mad;
Explanation
This sentence paints a vivid picture of lust’s destructive nature. It highlights how desire, once indulged beyond reason, becomes like a swallowed bait, trapping the taker in a cycle of maddening obsession. The deliberate intent behind the “bait” reinforces the poem’s message of lust as a seductive but ultimately harmful force.
Poetic devices
Metaphor: Lust compared to a “swallowed bait,” emphasizing its deceptive allure and bitter aftertaste.
Mad in pursuit and in possession so,
Explanation
Lust drives you crazy, both while chasing it and even after you catch it. It’s like a maddening fever that burns you alive, no matter if you thirst for it or hold it in your grasp.
Poetic devices
Alliteration: The repetition of “p” sounds in ‘pursuit’ and ‘possession’.
Had, having, and in quest to have, extreme;
Explanation
The line paints a vivid picture of insatiable desire. It uses a powerful repetition of “have” in three stages: past, present, and future. This emphasizes the endless cycle of lust, where even after possessing the object of desire, there’s a constant and “extreme” hunger for more. Imagine a bottomless pit that can never be filled, fueled by an insatiable craving. This single line, through simple repetition and a hint of hyperbole, encapsulates the poem’s message about the destructive nature of unchecked desire.
Poetic devices
Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sound “h” in ‘had’, ‘having’ and ‘have’.
Hyperbole (exaggeration): to highlight the insatiable nature of lust and the constant craving for more.
A bliss in proof and proved, a very woe;
Explanation
This line uses paradox and contrasting imagery to expose the double-edged sword of desire. While lust initially provides a “bliss,” a fleeting and superficial joy, once experienced (“proved”), it transforms into a “very woe,” leaving profound regret and devastation in its wake.
Poetic devices
Paradox: The contrasting concepts of “bliss” and “woe” emphasize the double-edged sword of lust.
Before, a joy proposed; behind, a dream.
Explanation
The line summarizes the fleeting and deceptive nature of lust. Imagine it like this:
Before: Lust whispers promises of intense pleasure, painting beautiful fantasies in your mind. It acts like a seductive proposal, a glimpse of “joy” you can almost touch.
Behind: Once you act on desire, the promised joy evaporates like a dream. Instead, you’re left with the harsh reality of regret and shame, a hollow feeling like waking up from an illusion.
Poetic devices
Metaphor: Comparing the promised joy to a “dream” emphasizes its intangible and unreal nature.
All this the world well knows; yet none knows well
To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell.
Explanation
The final lines pack a powerful punch, contrasting “heaven” and “hell” to portray the paradoxical nature of lust. While everyone (“all the world”) is aware of its destructive consequences (“knows”), no one truly masters the art of avoiding (“shun”) its alluring trap (“heaven”) that ultimately leads to ruin (“hell”).
Poetic devices
Antithesis: The stark contrast between “heaven” and “hell” emphasizes the double-edged sword of desire: temporary pleasure followed by lasting pain.
Juxtaposition: Placing “knows” and “none knows well” side-by-side highlights the gap between intellectual awareness and practical action. We may know something is bad, but resisting it proves challenging.
Metaphor: “Heaven” symbolizes the intoxicating promise of fulfillment, while “hell” represents the inevitable descent into shame and regret.
