Sonnet 129: Th’ Expense of Spirit in a Waste of Shame
Sonnet 129: Th’ Expense of Spirit in a Waste of Shame - context Summary
Published 1609
Published in the 1609 Sonnets, Sonnet 129 condemns sexual desire as destructive despite its irresistible appeal. Shakespeare sketches lust’s violent, deceitful phases—anticipation, pursuit, possession and aftermath—showing pleasure turning quickly to contempt and regret. The poem treats desire as a universal human failing: widely recognized yet persistently pursued. Its closing couplet frames lust as a paradise-to-hell trajectory that people know but cannot avoid.
Read Complete AnalysesTh’ expense of spirit in a waste of shame Is lust in action; and, till action, lust Is perjured, murderous, bloody full of blame, Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust, Enjoyed no sooner but despisèd straight, Past reason hunted, and no sooner had Past reason hated as a swallowed bait On purpose laid to make the taker mad. Mad in pursuit, and in possession so; Had, having, and in quest to have, extreme; A bliss in proof, and proved, a very woe, Before a joy proposed; behind, a dream. All this the world well knows, yet none knows well To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell.
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