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Sonnet, Rhyme Scheme & Meter

Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed, A

The dear repose for limbs with travel tired; B

But then begins a journey in my head A

To work my mind, when body's work's expired: B

For then my thoughts--from far where I abide-- C

Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee, D

And keep my drooping eyelids open wide, C

Looking on darkness which the blind do see: D

Save that my soul's imaginary sight E

Presents thy shadow to my sightless view, F

Which, like a jewel hung in ghastly night, E

Makes black night beauteous, and her old face new. F

Lo! thus, by day my limbs, by night my mind, G

For thee, and for myself, no quiet find. G

U / U / U / U / U / U / U /

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1st Quatrain

1. Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed,

2. The dear repose for limbs with travel tired;

3. But then begins a journey in my head

4. To work my mind, when body's work's expired:

In the first quatrain, Shakespeare talks about how after a long day at work, he is exhausted and goes to bed. While physically, his body is sleeping, his mind goes to work (dreaming).

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2nd Quatrain

1. For then my thoughts--from far where I abide--

2. Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee,

3. And keep my drooping eyelids open wide,

4. Looking on darkness which the blind do see:

Here, Shakespeare goes on on how his dreams drift to the person in question in this sonnet. He compares his dreams drifting to Pilgrims taking their long travel on foot. Although he is asleep, his mind’s eyes are wide awake.

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3rd Quatrain

1. Save that my soul's imaginary sight

2. Presents thy shadow to my sightless view,

3. Which, like a jewel hung in ghastly night,

4. Makes black night beauteous, and her old face new.

In the last quatrain, Shakespeare says that in his dreams, he cannot actually see this person because it is too dark to see. However, they glow like a magnificent jewel and that makes the darkness before him beautiful.

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Couplet

1. Lo! thus, by day my limbs, by night my mind,

2. For thee, and for myself, no quiet find.

In this last couplet, Shakespeare says how because of this person he cannot sleep at night, thus keeping him awake and making him even more weary in the morning when he goes back to work.

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Characters, theme and literary devices

Characters:

Old man who gives advice to a younger man

Literary Devices:

Imagery

Theme: