Sonnet 28

Sonnet 28 is one of 154 sonnets written by the English playwright and poet William Shakespeare, it was first published in 1609. The sonnet is a part of the Fair Youth sequence, in which the poet expresses his love towards a young man — usually referred to as “the young man” or the “friend”. Shakespeare’s use of “friend” means more than just of a sexual nature, it highlights the Renaissance ideal of male fidelity and equality. From sonnets 18 to 126, Shakespeare writes about his relationship with the said young man. Although the identity of the young man is still unknown, Henry Wriothesley and William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, are the two leading contenders. Sonnet 28 is a part of a five sonnet series that focuses on the poet reflecting upon his friend, in addition, there is a focus on night and sleeplessness, which is a traditional motif in Petrarchan sonnet sequences. Moreover, Shakespeare infamously declares his “faithfulness of his love for the young man and celebrates the power of his poetry to preserve the young man’s memory” in these sonnets. Similar to Sonnet 27, Sonnet 28 ends comparably — in an unhappy state.