Shakespeare Sonnet 29 and a Teaching of Rabbi Nachman

There is a teaching of Rabbi Nachman, called “The Good Point” or “Nekudah Tovah.” When a person is in despair about his material position, personal life, or spiritual progress, he should try to find at least one good point in himself. To start, Rabbi Nachman reminds him that he is a Jew. Since one cannot “un-jew” himself, this good point is always there and can be used as a starting point. From there, one will probably remember another point, then another, and so on. (For more on this teaching, search for “Rabbi Nachman Nekudah Tovah”).

Shakespeare expresses the same idea in his sonnet 29. Here it is.

When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes,

I all alone beweep my outcast state,

And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,

And look upon myself and curse my fate,

Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,

Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,

Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope,

With what I most enjoy contented least;

Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,

Haply I think on thee, and then my state,

(Like to the lark at break of day arising

From sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven’s gate;

       For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings

       That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

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Sonnet 29 as read by John Gilgoud

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Here is my paraphrase of the sonnet

When I think of myself as a total loser

Who is all alone in the world

And heaven is deaf to my prayers that bring no results.

I may be ready to kill myself.

I envy one man who has a better future.

Or another one with more friends.

I may envy people with more shart analytics skills or broader knowledge.

I am ready to exchange my place with almost anybody, and I despise myself.

Suddenly I think that I have a good point, and then another one, and then -

I am ready to sing, and my song goes to heaven.

Then my state is better (I realize) than that of the happiest people on earth.

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There are many more things to note in this sonnet. The word “brings” at the end itself sounds like a song and resonates; the word “kings” alliterates with “sing.” To get the most benefit of the sonnet, one has to read it a few times, better even study by heart. For more on the sonnet, you can read “The Art of Sonnets.”

Shakespeare, the genius poet, conveys the message with unequal power. Too often, this teaching of Rabbi Nachman, going through multiple translations and adaptations, has more and more of the personality of an explainer who thinks that he knows the truth. However, once a person feels that he knows the truth - he loses it precisely at this moment - teaches Rabbi Nachman. On the other hand, Shakespeare can always be fresh, as he says in another sonnet, “and in fresh numbers number all your graces.”