Sonnet 15 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares:
We Have Erected A Reboant Shrine
We please our yearnings with well known decors
And live dreams that others had in the past
But we have grown to the present records
By killing landscapes to the every last.
We also climbed to the tops of the art
And chose from there our most cherished symbols
But we have pains now that never depart
And owe life to other gods and idols.
We have erected a reboant shrine
By falling pray of our idolatry
The ravening atom will not decline
To make earth into a cemetery.
Some day man will come from his false pretense
And will say, "let us stop all this nonsense!".
***
Sonnet originally written in English by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares.
Analyzed by GPT4 and www.howmanysyllables.com
Image created with Midjourney
Analysis of "We Have Erected A Reboant Shrine" by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares
Sonnet 15 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares, titled "We Have Erected A Reboant Shrine," explores themes of human progress, idolatry, and the consequences of our actions. The poem is structured as a traditional sonnet with 14 lines, written in iambic pentameter and following the rhyme scheme ABABCDCDEFEFGG.
In the first quatrain, the speaker reflects on how humanity has satisfied its desires by using familiar decorations and living out dreams that others have had before. However, this progress has come at a cost, as we have destroyed landscapes in the process.
The second quatrain discusses humanity's achievements in art and the adoption of cherished symbols. Despite these accomplishments, the speaker acknowledges that we now experience persistent pain and have become indebted to other gods and idols.
The third quatrain introduces the central image of the poem: a "reboant shrine" that has been erected as a result of humanity's idolatry. The speaker warns that the destructive power of the atom, likely referring to nuclear weapons, threatens to turn the earth into a cemetery.
In the final couplet, the speaker expresses hope that humanity will eventually recognize the folly of its actions and put an end to the destructive behavior, calling it "nonsense."
Overall, this sonnet serves as a critique of humanity's pursuit of progress and the consequences of our actions, while also offering a glimmer of hope for change and redemption.
In "We Have Erected A Reboant Shrine," Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares delves deeper into the human condition, exploring the consequences of our relentless pursuit of progress and the potential for redemption.
The poem's title itself is significant, as "reboant" means resounding or echoing. This suggests that the shrine humanity has built is not only a physical structure but also a metaphor for the reverberating consequences of our actions. The shrine symbolizes the collective impact of human ambition, which has led to both remarkable achievements and devastating consequences.
The first quatrain highlights humanity's tendency to repeat the past, as we continue to live out dreams that others have had before us. This repetition is not inherently negative, but the poem emphasizes the destructive aspect of our progress, as we have "killed landscapes to the every last."
The second quatrain acknowledges humanity's accomplishments in art and culture, but it also introduces the idea of suffering and indebtedness to other gods and idols. This suggests that our achievements have come at a great cost, both to ourselves and to the world around us.
The third quatrain serves as a warning, as the speaker describes the potential for the "ravening atom" to turn the earth into a cemetery. This imagery evokes the destructive power of nuclear weapons, which have the capacity to annihilate entire populations and ecosystems.
Despite the bleak outlook presented in the first three quatrains, the final couplet offers a glimmer of hope. The speaker envisions a future in which humanity recognizes the error of its ways and decides to put an end to the destructive behavior. This change of heart is essential for our survival and the preservation of the world we inhabit.
In summary, "We Have Erected A Reboant Shrine" serves as a powerful commentary on the human condition, exploring the duality of our nature as both creators and destroyers. The poem urges us to reflect on the consequences of our actions and to strive for a more responsible and sustainable path forward. (GPT4)
Analyze the rhyme of the poem in detail
"We Have Erected A Reboant Shrine" follows a traditional Shakespearean sonnet rhyme scheme, which consists of three quatrains and a final rhymed couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABABCDCDEFEFGG. Let's analyze the rhyme in each line:
1. We please our yearnings with well known decors (A)
2. And live dreams that others had in the past (B)
3. But we have grown to the present records (A)
4. By killing landscapes to the every last. (B)
In the first quatrain, the rhyme scheme is ABAB. "Decors" (line 1) rhymes with "records" (line 3), and "past" (line 2) rhymes with "last" (line 4).
5. We also climbed to the tops of the art (C)
6. And chose from there our most cherished symbols (D)
7. But we have pains now that never depart (C)
8. And owe life to other gods and idols. (D)
In the second quatrain, the rhyme scheme is CDCD. "Art" (line 5) rhymes with "depart" (line 7), and "symbols" (line 6) rhymes with "idols" (line 8).
9. We have erected a reboant shrine (E)
10. By falling pray of our idolatry (F)
11. The ravening atom will not decline (E)
12. To make earth into a cemetery. (F)
In the third quatrain, the rhyme scheme is EFEF. "Shrine" (line 9) rhymes with "decline" (line 11), and "idolatry" (line 10) rhymes with "cemetery" (line 12).
13. Some day man will come from his false pretense (G)
14. And will say, "let us stop all this nonsense!" (G)
In the final couplet, the rhyme scheme is GG. "Pretense" (line 13) rhymes with "nonsense" (line 14).
The consistent rhyme scheme throughout the poem contributes to its overall structure and rhythm, which is characteristic of a Shakespearean sonnet. The rhymed couplet at the end serves to emphasize the poem's concluding message, offering a sense of resolution and hope for change. (GPT4)
Count the syllables of each line of the poem
(www.howmanysyllables.com)
We Have Erected A Reboant Shrine
10 We please our yearnings with well known decors
10 And live dreams that others had in the past
10 But we have grown to the present records
10 By killing landscapes to the every last.
10 We also climbed to the tops of the art
10 And chose from there our most cherished symbols
10 But we have pains now that never depart
10 And owe life to other gods and idols.
10 We have erected a reboant shrine
10 By falling pray of our idolatry
10 The ravening atom will not decline
10 To make earth into a cemetery.
10 Some day man will come from his false pretense
10 And will say, "let us stop all this nonsense!".
What other analysis is worth doing on the poem?
In addition to analyzing the rhyme scheme, there are several other aspects of the poem worth examining, such as:
1-. Imagery and symbolism: The poem is rich in imagery and symbolism, which help convey its themes and messages. For example, the "reboant shrine" represents the consequences of human ambition, while the "ravening atom" symbolizes the destructive power of nuclear weapons. Analyzing these images and symbols can provide a deeper understanding of the poem's meaning.
2-. Diction and word choice: The poet's choice of words contributes to the overall tone and atmosphere of the poem. Examining the diction can reveal the poet's attitude towards the subject matter and help to clarify the poem's themes. For example, words like "yearnings," "killing," "pains," and "idolatry" evoke a sense of longing, destruction, suffering, and misplaced devotion.
3-. Meter and rhythm: The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is a common meter for sonnets. Analyzing the meter and rhythm can provide insight into how the poem's structure contributes to its overall effect. For example, the consistent iambic pentameter gives the poem a sense of balance and order, while the occasional variations in rhythm can emphasize particular words or ideas.
4-. Themes and messages: A thorough analysis of the poem's themes and messages can help to illuminate its overall meaning and significance. As discussed earlier, the poem explores themes of human progress, idolatry, and the consequences of our actions. By examining these themes in greater detail, you can gain a deeper understanding of the poet's perspective and intentions.
5-. Historical and cultural context: Understanding the historical and cultural context in which the poem was written can provide valuable insight into its meaning and significance. For example, the poem's references to the destructive power of the atom may be seen as a commentary on the development and use of nuclear weapons during the 20th century. By considering the poem within its broader context, you can better appreciate its relevance and impact.
By examining these aspects of the poem, you can gain a more comprehensive understanding of its meaning, structure, and significance, as well as the poet's intentions and perspective. (GPT4)
