Sonnet 29, also known as "When, in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes," is a poem written by William Shakespeare. In this sonnet, the speaker reflects on their own feelings of shame and inadequacy, and how they turn to their love for comfort and solace.
The speaker begins by acknowledging their current state of disgrace and feeling overlooked by both Fortune and others. They feel that they have lost their "name" and "fair truth" and are now "baffled" and "forlorn." This sense of shame and disgrace is further emphasized in the lines "despised love, sick of delay, / By these I love, I to myself am sworn" where the speaker feels that their love is not valued or appreciated by those they love.
However, despite feeling misunderstood and unworthy, the speaker finds solace in their love. They turn to their love as a source of strength and comfort, stating "And when I think there is no need of me, / As well as I, they know it" showing that their love knows and understands them even when they feel insignificant.
The speaker's love is also described as a "tender churl" and a "gentle thief," suggesting that while they may be rough around the edges, they are kind and gentle in their actions and words. This characterization of the speaker's love highlights the fact that love can be found in unexpected places and can bring happiness and joy even in times of hardship and disgrace.
In the final lines of the sonnet, the speaker reflects on the power of love to lift them out of their current state of shame and despair. They declare "Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks / Within his bending sickle's compass come; / Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, / But bears it out even to the edge of doom." This suggests that love is eternal and unchanging, and can withstand even the passing of time and the end of life.
Overall, Sonnet 29 is a poignant reflection on the power of love to bring comfort and solace in times of shame and disgrace. Through the speaker's feelings of inadequacy and the characterization of their love as a "gentle thief," Shakespeare highlights the transformative power of love and its ability to lift us up and bring meaning to our lives.