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 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.

WORDS

beweep: archaic use of the language; to weep over something

outcast: a person who is rejected (from society or home)

bootless: unproductive of success

to despise: look down on with disdain

TRANSLATION

Quando in sfavore alla mia sorte e agli occhi dell'uomo,

tutto solo piango nella mia condizione di esule

e io disturbo il sordo cielo con futili pianti/gridi/lamenti

e guardo a me stesso e maledico il mio destino,

desiderando essere una persona più ricca di me in speranze,

son le sue caratteristiche come lui circondato dagli amici,

che desidera essere la maestria di quest'uomo e i vasti orizzonti di quell'altro,

di ciò di cui più godo sono meno contento;

e tuttavia in questi pensieri quasi disprezzo me stesso,

per caso penso a te e allora il mio stato psicologico,

come l'allodola all'alba che canta inni

dalla cupa terra fino alle porte del paradiso;

il ricordo del tuo dolce amore porta una così grande felicità

che allora disdegno di cambiare la mia condizione con un re.

DENOTATIVE ANALYSIS

Sonnet XXIX is addressed to a man: it is one of the "fair youth" sonnets. The speaking voice expresses his psychological condition of uneasiness and desire of being different because of his mood. He complains himself and confesses his will: to be similar to other people because he feels unlucky and alone and he would like to be faithful, more skilled and talented and surrounded by friends. He does not appreciate his strengths and he seems to hate himself. Further more, what makes the difference is that, in spite of his psychological situation, his thoughts focus on his beloved, which changes his inner condition: the speaking voice feels better than before and he would not like to change his life.