In the sonnet, the speaker’s tone is melancholic, and depressed. This is evident through the use of words such as “outcast” and “disgrace” to identify the speaker. However, in the last six lines of the sonnet, the speaker’s tone begins to change into one that is lighter and happier. In the …show more content…
He no longer desires that which belongs to other men, the figurative wealth of love is enough. However, I believe that the speaker’s focus on memory in the final couplet indicates that his love is no longer with him. That being said, the recollection of the feelings associated with his love were enough to bring him out of his envious, distressed state. The line reads “For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings/That then I scorn to change my state with kings.” The love the speaker expresses seems to be enough to lift his spirits, which would indicate the intensity of the emotion, especially considering that it is only the memory of his love and not their presence. If the speaker’s love were to still be in his life, considering the magnitude of their adoration, I don’t believe that the previous state of the speaker would have occurred. The love reminds him that there are far wealthier things in life than material riches, but the speaker only realizes this on reminding himself of love. I don’t believe someone forgets a love so strong when it is present, which is why the use of the word “remembered” is so significant in