SONNET 29 PARAPHRASE  

When I'm in disgrace with everyone and my

luck has deserted me, I sit all alone and cry

about the fact that I'm an outcast, and bother

God with useless cries, which fall on deaf ears,

and look at myself and curse my fate, wishing

that I had more to hope for, wishing I had this

man's good looks and that man's friends, this

 man's skills and that man's opportunities, and

totally dissatisfied with the things I usually

enjoy the most. Yet, as I'm thinking these

thoughts and almost hating myself, I happen to

think about you, and then my condition

improves-like a lark at daybreak rising up and

leaving the earth far behind to sing hymns to

God. For when I remember your sweet love, I

feel so wealthy that I'd refuse to change places

even with kings.  

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 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.

Analysis

Sonnet XXIX is addressed to a man: it is one of the "fair youth" sonnets.

The poet's 'outcast state' is possibly a reference to his lack of work as a player due to the closing of the theatres in 1592. He feels himself unlucky, disgraced, and jealous of those around him. 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.

The sonnet ends with a positive affirmation that all is not lost -- that the poet's dear friend can compensate for the grief(dolore) he feels.