Perspectives

Literary period

William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 29” was probably written sometime between 1590 and 1609. It therefore dates from the early modern period of English literatur…

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Textual perspective

“Sonnet 29” shares various features with other sonnets by Shakespeare. For example, both “Sonnet 29” and “Sonnet 116” express the idea that love can overcome obstacles. In “Sonnet 29”, the speaker's despair is transformed by thoughts of his beloved, while in “Sonnet 116” the idea that love is not “Time's fool” suggests that love can endure even in the face of adversity.

Moreover, “Sonnet 29” celebrates the idea that love can elevate the speaker's mood and provide him with joy and contentment that surpasses material wealth or status. The sonnet emphasizes the power of love to transform the speaker's state of mind and suggests that love can bring hope to those who feel lost and alone. 

Similarly, in “Sonnet 116” Shakespeare presents love as an unchanging and steadfast force that is not dependent on the physical attributes or fleeting emotions of the lovers, but rather is an enduring force that persists beyond the temporary challenges of life. The sonnet highlights that the power of love is unaffected by adversity and suggests that love is the foundation of a lasting and fulfilling relationship. Both sonnets celebrate the transformative and enduring power of love, presenting love as a force that can provide solace, contentment, and hope to those who…