Sonnet 66 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares

Where The Night Begins

I lifted anchor to sail through the deep 1

That starts the night when darkness comes around

And I got to hear voices that surround

Mysteries of life while things fall asleep.

Tied to my body I watched sirens slip 5

By those island that in my mind I found

And where heavenly pleasures still abound

Beyond dark and death that our spirits keep.

I saw each star, planet and asteroid

While many creatures were counting each day

Those poor people that loneliness avoid...

Being part of night that gets born in space

And free of masts I went into the void 13

Without fears or pain, where the souls can stay.

***

1-. the deep = the ocean. 5-. tied... slip = this is an

allegorization of a passage of the Odyssey when

Odysseus is tied to the mast of his ship to avoid the

temptations of the sirens. 13-. Free of masts = after death.

Sonnet written by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares. Analyzed by GPT4 and www.howmanysyllables.com

Image by Leonardo.ai

Copyright 1989

Analysis of "Where The Night Begins"

"Where The Night Begins" is a sonnet by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares that employs rich imagery and allegory to explore themes of life, death, and the mysteries of existence.

The sonnet is structured in the traditional Shakespearean format, with three quatrains and a concluding couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is typical of the English sonnet.

In the first quatrain, the speaker sets out on a journey through the night, symbolizing a journey into the unknown or perhaps the subconscious. The "voices that surround" could represent the thoughts, fears, and uncertainties that come to the fore in the quiet and solitude of the night.

The second quatrain introduces the allegory of Odysseus and the sirens from Homer's Odyssey. Here, the sirens could symbolize the temptations and distractions of life that can lead us astray from our true path. The speaker is "tied to [his] body," suggesting a sense of being trapped or limited by physical existence.

The third quatrain expands the scope of the poem to the cosmos, with references to stars, planets, and asteroids. The speaker observes "poor people that loneliness avoid," perhaps suggesting that many people fear solitude and introspection, preferring to lose themselves in the distractions of the world.

The concluding couplet presents a vision of death as a release from the constraints of physical existence ("free of masts"). The speaker ventures "into the void / Without fears or pain," suggesting a sense of peace and liberation in death, where the souls can stay.

Overall, this sonnet uses vivid imagery and classical allusion to explore profound themes of life, death, and the human condition. It suggests that while life is full of distractions and temptations, death offers a release from these constraints and a chance for the soul to find peace. (GPT4)

Analyze the rhyme of the sonnet in detail

Sonnet 66 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares follows the traditional Shakespearean sonnet rhyme scheme, which is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. Let's break down the rhyme scheme in detail:

1. The first quatrain (ABAB):

- Line 1: "deep" (A)

- Line 2: "around" (B)

- Line 3: "surround" (A)

- Line 4: "asleep" (B)

2. The second quatrain (CDCD):

- Line 5: "slip" (C)

- Line 6: "found" (D)

- Line 7: "abound" (C)

- Line 8: "keep" (D)

3. The third quatrain (EFEF):

- Line 9: "asteroid" (E)

- Line 10: "day" (F)

- Line 11: "avoid" (E)

- Line 12: "space" (F)

4. The concluding couplet (GG):

- Line 13: "void" (G)

- Line 14: "stay" (G)

The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is consistent and follows a pattern throughout the poem. The use of end rhymes helps to create a sense of musicality and structure in the sonnet. The alternating rhyme scheme of the quatrains (ABAB CDCD EFEF) provides a balanced and organized feel to the poem.

Additionally, the concluding couplet (GG) serves as a rhyming couplet, which is a common feature in Shakespearean sonnets. This couplet often brings a sense of closure or a final thought to the poem.

Overall, the rhyme scheme in Sonnet 66 contributes to the poem's formal structure and enhances its lyrical quality. (GPT4)

Count the syllables of each line of the poem (www.howmanysyllables.com)

Where The Night Begins

10 I lifted anchor to sail through the deep

10 That starts the night when darkness comes around

10 And I got to hear voices that surround

10 Mysteries of life while things fall asleep.

10 Tied to my body I watched sirens slip

10 By those island that in my mind I found

10 And where heavenly pleasures still abound

10 Beyond dark and death that our spirits keep.

10 I saw each star, planet and asteroid

10 While many creatures were counting each day

10 Those poor people that loneliness avoid...

10 Being part of night that gets born in space

10 And free of masts I went into the void

10 Without fears or pain, where the souls can stay.

***

Analyze the aspects that have yet to be analyzed

While the previous analysis covered the overall themes and structure of Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares' "Where The Night Begins," there are several other aspects that can be further explored.

1-. Metaphorical Language: The sonnet is rich in metaphorical language. The "deep" that the speaker sails through is not just the ocean, but also a metaphor for the unknown or the subconscious. The "voices that surround" could represent internal thoughts or external influences. The "islands" where the sirens slip could represent individual experiences or stages of life. The "star, planet and asteroid" could symbolize the vastness of existence and our small place within it.

2-. Symbolism: The sonnet uses several symbols to convey its themes. The anchor, for example, could symbolize the grounding force of reality, which the speaker lifts to embark on his journey. The sirens are symbols of temptation and distraction. The masts that the speaker is freed from in death could symbolize the constraints of physical existence.

3-. Tone and Mood: The tone of the sonnet is contemplative and introspective, reflecting the speaker's deep exploration of life and death. The mood is somewhat melancholic, with a sense of longing for the freedom and peace of death.

4-. Imagery: The sonnet uses vivid imagery to convey its themes. The image of the speaker sailing through the night, hearing voices and watching sirens, creates a sense of mystery and intrigue. The image of the cosmos, with its stars, planets, and asteroids, conveys the vastness and complexity of existence.

5-. Allusion: The sonnet makes a clear allusion to Homer's Odyssey, with the reference to the sirens and the speaker being tied to his body like Odysseus was tied to the mast of his ship. This allusion enriches the poem's themes, suggesting that like Odysseus, we must navigate the temptations and distractions of life to reach our true destination.

6-. Philosophical Themes: The sonnet explores several philosophical themes, including the nature of existence, the human condition, the fear of death, and the search for meaning. It suggests that while life is full of challenges and distractions, death offers a release and a chance for the soul to find peace. (GPT4)

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