Sonnet 29 by Willian Shakespeare | A Consolation | William Shakespeare | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | Word Meaning | Questions Answers | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
Sonnet 29
When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes
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 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 remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
line-by-line explanation of the poem
Line 1: When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes,
Explanation: The opening line sets the stage for the speaker’s emotional state. The speaker feels disgraced and ostracized, both in terms of his material well-being and his social standing.
Line 2: I all alone beweep my outcast state,
Explanation: The speaker expresses his profound loneliness and despair, lamenting his outcast state.
Line 3: And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
Explanation: The speaker’s cries for help go unanswered, as he feels unheard and ignored by the heavens.
Line 4: And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Explanation: The speaker’s self-reflection leads to a sense of self-loathing and bitterness, as he curses his fate.
Line 5: Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Explanation: The speaker envies those who possess a greater sense of hope and optimism, longing for a similar outlook.
Line 6: Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Explanation: The speaker admires those who are successful and have a strong support system, wishing he could emulate their achievements and relationships.
Line 7: Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope,
Explanation: The speaker expresses his desire to possess the talents and abilities of others, feeling inadequate in comparison.
Line 8: With what I most enjoy contented least;
Explanation: The speaker finds himself dissatisfied with the things he already has, despite previously enjoying them.
Line 9: Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Explanation: The speaker’s negative thoughts and self-loathing have reached a point where he almost despises himself.
Line 10: Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Explanation: A ray of hope emerges when the speaker thinks of his loved one.
Line 11: Like to the lark at break of day arising
Explanation: The speaker compares his transformation to the lark’s cheerful song at dawn.
Line 12: From sullen earth sings hymns at heaven’s gate;
Explanation: The speaker’s newfound positivity is so overwhelming that he can sing hymns of gratitude to heaven.
Line 13: For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
Explanation: The speaker’s love for his loved one is the source of his newfound wealth and happiness.
Line 14: That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
Explanation: The speaker’s love is so precious that he would not even exchange his state with that of a king.
Summary
In Sonnet 29, Shakespeare delves into the transformative power of love, contrasting the speaker’s descent into despair and self-loathing with the uplifting effect of his thoughts of his beloved.
The speaker begins by lamenting his outcast state, his pleas to heaven falling on deaf ears. He envies those who possess greater hope and optimism, wishing he could emulate their achievements and relationships. His self-deprecation deepens, and he finds himself dissatisfied even with things he once enjoyed.
However, as the speaker turns his thoughts to his loved one, a ray of hope emerges. The image of a lark rising from the earth at dawn, singing hymns of joy, symbolizes the speaker’s newfound transformation. His love becomes a source of immense wealth and happiness, so precious that he would not even exchange his lowly state for that of a king.
Sonnet 29 concludes with a powerful declaration of love’s transformative power, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, love can illuminate our path and bring us solace and joy.
Key Points
Author: William Shakespeare is considered to be one of the most important English-language writers. His plays and poems are read all over the world.
Form: Sonnet 130 is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that is contained within one stanza. The form that has become synonymous with the poet’s name. The English or Shakespearean sonnet is made up of three quatrains, or sets of four lines, and one concluding couplet, or set of two rhyming lines.
Speaker: The speaker of the sonnet is a character who feels outcast and in disgrace, both with fortune (or luck) and in the eyes of other people. This character could be a representation of Shakespeare himself, or a fictional persona.
Setting: The setting isn’t specified in the sonnet, but it’s clear that the speaker is in a state of despair and self-loathing, feeling alone and unhappy with their current state in life.
Theme: The theme of the sonnet is the power of love and memory to bring hope and happiness. Despite the speaker’s initial despair, thinking of a loved one brings them joy and makes them feel wealthy in a spiritual sense.
Plot: The sonnet starts with the speaker expressing their unhappiness and feelings of worthlessness. They wish they were more like others who seem happier and more successful. However, when they think of a loved one, their mood lifts and they feel happy and content, to the point where they wouldn’t change their state even with kings.
Tone: The tone of the sonnet is initially despairing and self-pitying, but it shifts to joyful and content when the speaker thinks of their loved one.
Style: Shakespeare’s style in this sonnet, as in many of his works, is characterized by rich imagery, metaphor, and tightly woven logic. For example, he uses the metaphor of a lark rising at dawn to describe the speaker’s mood lifting.
Message: The message of the sonnet is that love and the memory of a loved one can bring happiness and contentment, even in the face of despair and feelings of worthlessness. It suggests that spiritual wealth brought by love is more valuable than material wealth or social status.
Structure and Rhyme Scheme
Structure
The structure of Sonnet 29 follows the typical structure of a Shakespearean sonnet. It is composed of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). The quatrains often introduce a problem or question, while the couplet provides a resolution or answer.
Rhyme Scheme
The rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet is ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This means that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme with each other (A and C, D and F), as do the second and fourth lines (B and D, E and G). The final couplet (GG) also rhymes.
In the case of Sonnet 29, the rhyme scheme would look like this:
When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes, (A)
I all alone beweep my outcast state, (B)
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries, (A)
And look upon myself and curse my fate, (B)
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, ©
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed, (D)
Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope, ©
With what I most enjoy contented least; (D)
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising, (E)
Haply I think on thee, and then my state, (F)
Like to the lark at break of day arising (E)
From sullen earth sings hymns at heaven’s gate; (F)
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings (G)
That then I scorn to change my state with kings. (G)
This structure and rhyme scheme are characteristic of Shakespeare’s sonnets and are part of what gives them their musicality and emotional impact.
Word Meaning
| Line | Tough Word | Meaning in English | Meaning in Hindi |
| 1 | Disgrace | State of being disrespected | अपमान की स्थिति |
| 2 | Beweep | weep | रोना |
| 2 | Outcast | Person who has been rejected or ostracized by society | समाज द्वारा बहिष्कृत व्यक्ति |
| 3 | Bootless | Futile or useless | व्यर्थ या बेकार |
| 4 | Curse | a word or words expressing a wish that something terrible will happen to somebody | अभिशाप |
| 6 | Possessed | Having or controlling something | कुछ होना या नियंत्रित करना |
| 8 | Contented | Satisfied | संतुष्ट |
| 9 | Despising | Disliking or loathing intensely | नफरत या घृणा करना |
| 10 | Haply | Perchance; perhaps | शायद; शायद |
| 10 | Thee | You | तुम |
| 11 | Lark | a small brown bird that makes a pleasant sound | एक छोटी भूरी गाने वाली चिड़िया; लवा चिड़िया, भरत पक्षी; लार्क |
| 11 | Break of day | the time when light first appears in the morning; dawn | प्रभात |
| 12 | Sullen | Cheerless, sorrowful | उदास या निराश |
| 12 | Hymns | Prayer | भजन |
| 13 | Thy | Your | तुम्हारा |
| 14 | Scorn | Hate | घृणा, नफ़रत |
Very Short Answer Questions
Who is the author of Sonnet 29?
William Shakespeare
What is the form of Sonnet 29?
It’s a Shakespearean sonnet.
Who is the speaker in Sonnet 29?
The speaker is a character who feels outcast and in disgrace.
What is the setting of Sonnet 29?
The setting isn’t specified, but the speaker is in a state of despair and self-loathing.
What is the theme of Sonnet 29?
The power of love and memory to bring hope and happiness.
What is the plot of Sonnet 29?
The speaker expresses their unhappiness, then their mood lifts when they think of a loved one.
What is the tone of Sonnet 29?
The tone shifts from despairing and self-pitying to joyful and content.
What is the style of Sonnet 29?
The style is characterized by rich imagery, metaphor, and tightly woven logic.
What is the message of Sonnet 29?
Love and the memory of a loved one can bring happiness and contentment.
What is the structure of Sonnet 29?
It’s composed of three quatrains and a final couplet.
What is the rhyme scheme of Sonnet 29?
The rhyme scheme is ABABCDCDEFEFGG.
What does the speaker wish in Sonnet 29?
The speaker wishes they were more like others who seem happier and more successful.
What changes the speaker’s mood in Sonnet 29?
Thinking of a loved one lifts the speaker’s mood.
What metaphor does Shakespeare use in Sonnet 29?
He uses the metaphor of a lark rising at dawn to describe the speaker’s mood lifting.
How does the speaker feel after thinking of their loved one in Sonnet 29?
The speaker feels happy and content, to the point where they wouldn’t change their state even with kings.
What does the speaker trouble in Sonnet 29?
The speaker troubles deaf heaven with their bootless cries.
What does the speaker look upon in Sonnet 29?
The speaker looks upon themselves and curses their fate.
What does the speaker desire in Sonnet 29?
The speaker desires this man’s art and that man’s scope.
What does the speaker scorn in Sonnet 29?
The speaker scorns to change their state with kings.
What does the speaker sing at in Sonnet 29?
The speaker sings hymns at heaven’s gate.
What is the speaker’s state of mind at the beginning of the poem?
Downcast, sorrowful, and filled with self-pity.
What does the speaker envy about others?
Their hope, success, friendships, talents, and abilities.
To what does the speaker compare his transformation?
To the cheerful song of a lark at dawn.
How does the speaker view his love?
As a source of immense wealth and happiness, surpassing any material possessions.
What is the significance of the lark image?
It symbolizes the speaker’s renewed spirit and joy.
What does the comparison to kings suggest?
That the speaker’s love is more precious than any earthly wealth or power.
What is the significance of the word “scorn” in the final line?
It emphasizes the speaker’s deep appreciation for his love and his refusal to trade it for anything else.
Short Answer Questions
1. Describe the speaker’s emotional state at the beginning of the poem.
The speaker is overwhelmed with despair and self-pity, lamenting his outcast state and feeling unheard by heaven. He envies the hope, success, and relationships of others, finding himself dissatisfied even with the things he once enjoyed.
2. How does the speaker’s perception of his loved one impact his outlook?
The memory of his loved one acts as a beacon of hope, transforming his despondent mood into one of upliftment and gratitude. The speaker compares his transformation to the joyful song of a lark, symbolizing his newfound lightness and optimism.
3. What is the significance of the lark imagery in the poem?
The lark, known for its cheerful and uplifting song, represents the speaker’s newfound happiness and resilience. It symbolizes the transformative power of love, which can elevate us from the depths of despair to heights of joy.
4. How does the speaker’s love for his loved one contrast with his initial self-perception?
The speaker’s love for his beloved becomes a source of immense wealth and happiness, surpassing any material possessions or external validation. It is this love that dispels his self-doubt and restores his sense of worth.
5. What is the central theme of Sonnet 29?
Sonnet 29 powerfully explores the transformative power of love, demonstrating its ability to illuminate our path even in the darkest of times. The speaker’s journey from despair to hope serves as a testament to love’s enduring and transformative nature.
6. How does the poem’s tone evolve throughout the lines?
The poem’s tone initially reflects the speaker’s melancholic and self-deprecating state, painting a bleak picture of his outcast existence. However, as the speaker’s thoughts turn to his loved one, the tone shifts to one of hope, upliftment, and gratitude.
7. What is the significance of the contrast between the speaker’s state at the beginning and end of the poem?
The contrast between the speaker’s initial despair and his final state of contentment highlights the transformative power of love. It demonstrates that even in the face of adversity, love can provide strength, solace, and a sense of purpose.
8. What does the speaker’s declaration in the final line reveal about his love?
The speaker’s assertion that he would not exchange his state for that of a king underscores the profound value he places on his love. It suggests that his love is more precious than any earthly wealth or power, reaffirming the poem’s central theme.
9. What is the role of memory in the poem’s narrative?
The memory of the speaker’s loved one serves as a catalyst for his transformation. It acts as a beacon of hope, reminding him of the beauty and connection that exist in his life. This memory rekindles his faith in himself and the world around him.
10. How does the poem’s conclusion leave the reader?
The poem’s conclusion leaves the reader with a sense of hope and affirmation. The speaker’s declaration of love’s enduring power serves as a reminder that even in the face of challenges, love can provide strength, solace, and a sense of purpose.
Essay Type Questions
1. Write the critical appreciation of the poem.
Introduction
Sonnet 29, “When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes,” is a poignant and introspective work by William Shakespeare. It explores themes of despair, self-loathing, and the rejuvenating power of love. The sonnet is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and the transformative power of love.
Structure, Form, and Rhyme Scheme
Sonnet 29 adheres to the structure of a Shakespearean sonnet. It consists of three quatrains and a final couplet, forming a 14-line poem. The rhyme scheme is ABABCDCDEFEFGG, a pattern characteristic of Shakespearean sonnets. This structure contributes to the sonnet’s musicality and emotional impact.
Theme
The primary theme of Sonnet 29 is the transformative power of love. The speaker starts in a state of despair and self-loathing, feeling outcast and in disgrace. However, the mere thought of a loved one brings a profound shift in mood. The speaker goes from feeling worthless to experiencing a sense of joy and contentment that surpasses material wealth and social status.
Imagery
Shakespeare employs rich and evocative imagery in Sonnet 29. The speaker’s despair is conveyed through images of weeping in solitude, troubling a deaf heaven with bootless cries, and cursing one’s fate. The transformative power of love is depicted through the image of a lark rising at dawn, singing hymns at heaven’s gate. This image captures the speaker’s uplifted spirits and the joy brought by the memory of a loved one.
Poetic Devices
Shakespeare uses various poetic devices in Sonnet 29. Metaphor is used extensively, such as comparing the speaker’s uplifted mood to a lark rising at dawn. Alliteration is present in phrases like “bootless cries,” adding a musical quality to the sonnet. The sonnet also features anaphora, the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines, as seen in the repeated use of “And” at the start of lines 3 and 4.
Conclusion
Sonnet 29 is a powerful exploration of despair, self-loathing, and the redemptive power of love. Through its structured form, evocative imagery, and effective use of poetic devices, it captures the speaker’s emotional journey from despair to joy. It serves as a reminder of love’s power to bring happiness and contentment, affirming that spiritual wealth is more valuable than material wealth or social status. This sonnet is a testament to Shakespeare’s ability to capture the complexities of human emotion in just 14 lines.
