In Sonnet 43, the speaker expresses how their true vision and perception are most vibrant during sleep rather than in waking hours. They reflect on how their eyes, while open in the daylight, fail to appreciate the beauty of the beloved when unaccompanied by love. However, in dreams, this beauty becomes vivid and illuminating, highlighting the power of love's influence even in darkness.

The speaker muses on the contrast between day and night, wishing that the beloved's presence could brighten their waking world as it does in dreams. They lament that without the beloved, all days seem dark, while nights filled with dreams create a paradox of brightness. Ultimately, the sonnet reveals a deep longing for a sight of the beloved that could transform every moment into joy.