Poem Analysis - Sonnet 28 How Can I Then Return In Happy Plight

Introduction: A Cycle of Unrelenting Sorrow

Shakespeare's Sonnet 28 expresses a deep sense of longing and torment caused by separation from a loved one. The poem's tone is melancholic and weary, reflecting the speaker's inability to find solace in either day or night. The mood is consistently somber, with a focus on the unrelenting nature of the speaker's suffering. There is a subtle shift in the final couplet towards a recognition of the enduring and amplifying effect of time on his grief.

The Weight of Absence

One of the poem's central themes is the burden of absence and the profound effect it has on the speaker's perception of time and reality. The separation from the beloved distorts everything, turning even the natural rhythm of day and night into sources of pain. The speaker is "debarred the benefit of rest," highlighting how the emotional turmoil prevents him from finding peace, a common feeling for those separated from the object of their love.

Imagery of Oppression: Day and Night as Torturers

The poem relies heavily on the imagery of day and night to represent the speaker's internal state. Day, typically associated with activity and light, becomes a source of "oppression," while night, usually a time for rest, intensifies his sorrow. The personification of day and night as enemies who "shake hands to torture me" creates a vivid image of the speaker being besieged by his own circumstances. This is a powerful symbol of the all-encompassing nature of grief, where even the most basic elements of life become sources of suffering.

Flattery and False Hope

The theme of forced optimism is subtly present in the speaker's attempts to "please" the day and "flatter" the night. He praises the day for its brightness and the night for its ability to "gild the even," even when clouded or starless. This act of flattery reveals the speaker's desperation to find some semblance of comfort or relief. However, these attempts are ultimately futile, as they only serve to highlight the depth of his despair because it feels forced and untrue.

The Amplifying Effect of Time

The closing couplet, "But day doth daily draw my sorrows longer, / And night doth nightly make grief’s length seem stronger," provides a stark conclusion. Here, time itself becomes an antagonist, actively exacerbating the speaker's pain. This reflects the idea that absence and longing can intensify over time, making the initial separation even more difficult to bear. The repetition of "daily" and "nightly" emphasizes the relentless and cyclical nature of the speaker's suffering.

Conclusion: An Enduring Portrait of Longing

In summary, Sonnet 28 is a poignant exploration of the pain of separation and the distorting effect of absence on the human experience. Through vivid imagery and personification, Shakespeare portrays the speaker as trapped in a cycle of unending sorrow, where even the natural rhythms of day and night become sources of torment. The poem's enduring power lies in its ability to capture the universal experience of longing and the profound impact of time on grief, portraying the feeling of a sad and slow unending march of time, drawing out a life without love.