Sonnet 28: How can I then return in happy plight

By William Shakespeare

Sonnet
How can I then return in happy plight, That am debarred the benefit of rest? When day's oppression is not eased by night, But day by night, and night by day oppressed, And each, though enemies to either's reign, Do in consent shake hands to torture me, The one by toil, the other to complain How far I toil, still farther off from thee. I tell the day, to please him thou art bright And dost him grace when clouds do blot the heaven: So flatter I the swart-complexion'd night, When sparkling stars twire not thou gild'st the even. But day doth daily draw my sorrows longer And night doth nightly make grief's strength seem stronger.
Written: 1609-01-01

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Poem Details

Date Written: 1609-01-01
Date Published: 1609-01-01
Language: English
Keywords: Love, Restlessness, Night, Day, Sorrow
Source: Shakespeare's Sonnets
Publisher: First Folio
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
A sonnet that reflects on the speaker's inability to find rest or relief from sorrow, as both day and night seem to conspire to keep them away from the beloved.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.