Sonnet 29

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Sonnet 29

• William Shakespeare

Erin Sweeney
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William Shakespeare Biographical Background

• Born 1564, Died 1616
• Famous British Playwright (38 Plays) and Poet
  during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I
• Published Shakespeares Sonnets in 1609 154
  sonnets, dates of creation unknown
• Two Contrasting Sonnet Series
• uncontrollable lust for a married woman of dark
  complexion (the "dark lady"),
• conflicted love for a fair young man (the "fair
  youth").
• Themes meditations on the nature of love, sexual
  passion, procreation, success, death, and time

Title Page of 1609 Edition
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The First Quatrain

• analysis of the speakers initial dilemma

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• When, in disgrace with fortune and mens eyes,
• I all alone beweep my outcast state,
• And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
• And look upon myself and curse my fate

Beginning Question? Statement?
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• When, in disgrace with fortune and mens eyes,
• I all alone beweep my outcast state,
• And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
• And look upon myself and curse my fate

Clarification Speakers Problematic Initial
Situation
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• When, in disgrace with fortune and mens eyes,
• I all alone beweep my outcast state,
• And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
• And look upon myself and curse my fate

Clarifying Phrases Initial Situation of Solitude
Despair
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• When, in disgrace with fortune and mens eyes,
• I all alone beweep my outcast state,
• And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
• And look upon myself and curse my fate

Verbs Outline Mechanisms of Despair
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• When, in disgrace with fortune and mens eyes,
• I all alone beweep my outcast state,
• And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
• And look upon myself and curse my fate

Clues in Diction Fate, Fortune, Heaven
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• When, in disgrace with fortune and mens eyes,
• I all alone beweep my outcast state,
• And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
• And look upon myself and curse my fate

Problem Despair Eternal Fate?
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• When, in disgrace with fortune and mens eyes,
• I all alone beweep my outcast state,
• And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
• And look upon myself and curse my fate

Rhyme, Conflicting Terms Despair Eternal Fate
or Current (Escapable) State?