Short Question Answer from Shakespeare's "Sonnet No. 29" (2 marks)

 Short Answer (2 marks):

Question 1: What is the speaker's initial mood in the sonnet?

Answer: The speaker initially feels dejected, alone, and envious of others.

Question 2: What causes the speaker's mood to change?

Answer: The thought of his beloved changes the speaker's mood.

Question 3: How does the speaker's perspective shift after thinking of his beloved?

Answer: The speaker's perspective shifts from despair to contentment. He realizes that his love is more valuable than any material wealth or status.

Question 4: What is the overall theme of the sonnet?

Answer: The sonnet explores the power of love to overcome adversity and transform one's perspective. It emphasizes the idea that true happiness and contentment can be found in personal relationships and emotional connections, rather than external possessions or achievements.

Question 5: What specific emotions does the speaker express at the beginning of the sonnet?

Answer: The speaker expresses feelings of disgrace, loneliness, despair, and self-pity.

Question 6: What specific qualities or possessions does the speaker envy in others?

Answer: The speaker envies others' hope, physical appearance, friendships, skills, and opportunities.

Question 7: How does the speaker's attitude towards himself change after thinking of his beloved?

Answer: The speaker's attitude towards himself shifts from self-loathing to self-worth. He realizes that his love is a source of strength and happiness, even in difficult times.

Question 8: What is the significance of allusion in Shakespeare’s “Sonnet No. 29”?

Allusion is a literary device that references a well-known person, place, thing, or event from history, literature, or mythology. While Shakespeare's "Sonnet No. 29" does not contain explicit allusions, it implicitly alludes to the Biblical story of Job.

Like Job, the speaker in the sonnet faces immense suffering and questions his fate. However, unlike Job, the speaker finds solace and contentment in his love, suggesting that even in the face of adversity, love can provide a source of strength and meaning. This implicit allusion to Job enhances the sonnet's thematic depth and universal appeal.

Question 9: Briefly comment on the rhythmic structure of Shakespeare’s "Sonnet no. 29."

Shakespeare's sonnets follow a specific rhythmic structure known as iambic pentameter. This means that each line is composed of five iambic feet, where an iamb is a two-syllable unit with the first syllable unstressed and the second stressed.

For example, the first line of Sonnet No. 29, "When in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes," follows this pattern:

When in | dis-grace | with For-tune | and men's | eyes

This rhythmic structure creates a smooth and flowing rhythm, contributing to the overall musicality and beauty of the sonnet. Additionally, the iambic pentameter helps to emphasize key words and phrases, enhancing the emotional impact of the poem.

Question 10. Key Rhetorical Devices:

Simile: The speaker compares himself to a "lark" rising from "sullen earth," symbolizing his transformation from despair to joy. The point of comparison is explicit by the use of the word–’like’.

Personification: The speaker personifies "heaven," attributing it with the ability to be "deaf" to his cries.

Juxtaposition: The speaker contrasts his initial state of despair with his newfound contentment, emphasizing the transformative power of love.

Paradox: The speaker expresses contentment with his "out-cast state" because of his love, creating a paradoxical situation where he finds happiness in adversity.

Antithesis: The speaker uses contrasting phrases like "in disgrace" and "sweet love," highlighting the dramatic shift in his emotions.