Sonnet 17 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares:
Inviting Us To Care
Fastuously we think to be human
Is condition enough to control fate
Ignoring that we are a poor layman
In skills for which other species well rate.
Let us think how much we need plants to breathe
And that we learnt from fish ways without air
And we see stars and what lies underneath
But have passions beyond where others dare.
There is no real advantage to our edge
Cruel wheather, predation or an earthquake
Will come and ask each time for a new pledge
Making us care when our foundations shake.
To care for the creatures of our planet
Including all the ones we have not met.
***
Sonnet written by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares. Analyzed by GPT4 and www.howmanysyllables.com
Image created with Lonardo.ai
Analysis of "Inviting Us To Care"
Sonnet 17 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares, titled "Inviting Us To Care," explores the human tendency to believe that being human is enough to control our destiny. The poem emphasizes our interdependence with other species and the environment, urging us to care for all creatures on our planet.
The first quatrain highlights the human misconception that we have control over our fate, while acknowledging that other species possess skills that we lack. This serves as a reminder that we are not superior to other living beings.
In the second quatrain, the poet emphasizes our reliance on plants for oxygen and how we have learned from fish to survive in different environments. The mention of stars and what lies beneath suggests our curiosity and passion for exploration, which sets us apart from other species.
The third quatrain discusses the vulnerability of humans to natural disasters and predation, emphasizing that our perceived advantages do not protect us from these threats. The poet suggests that these events force us to care for our environment and reconsider our place in the world.
The final couplet concludes the poem with a call to action, urging us to care for all creatures on Earth, including those we have yet to encounter. This message serves as a reminder of our responsibility to protect and preserve the planet for all living beings.
Overall, "Inviting Us To Care" is a thought-provoking sonnet that challenges our perception of human superiority and encourages us to recognize our interconnectedness with other species and the environment.
"Inviting Us To Care" serves as a reminder that humans are not the center of the universe, and our actions have consequences for the entire planet and its inhabitants. The poem encourages us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world and to consider the ways in which we can better coexist with other species.
The poem's structure, a sonnet, is a traditional form of poetry that typically explores themes of love, beauty, and the passage of time. In this case, the poet uses the sonnet form to express a love and concern for the environment and its creatures. The poem consists of 14 lines, divided into three quatrains and a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
Throughout the poem, the poet uses various literary devices to convey his message. For example, the use of alliteration in the first line ("Fastuously we think") adds emphasis to the human tendency to overestimate our importance. The poem also employs imagery, such as the mention of stars and what lies beneath, to evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity about the natural world.
The poem's message is particularly relevant in today's world, where issues such as climate change, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity are pressing concerns. By urging us to care for all creatures on our planet, the poet highlights the importance of taking collective action to protect and preserve the environment for future generations.
In conclusion, "Inviting Us To Care" is a powerful poem that challenges our perception of human superiority and encourages us to recognize our interconnectedness with other species and the environment. By reflecting on our relationship with the natural world, we can better understand our role in preserving the planet and its inhabitants. (GPT4)
Analyze the rhyme of the poem in detail
In "Inviting Us To Care," the poet employs a traditional sonnet rhyme scheme, which consists of 14 lines divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. Let's analyze the rhyme in detail:
Quatrain 1:
A: human (line 1)
B: fate (line 2)
A: layman (line 3)
B: rate (line 4)
Quatrain 2:
C: breathe (line 5)
D: air (line 6)
C: underneath (line 7)
D: dare (line 8)
Quatrain 3:
E: edge (line 9)
F: earthquake (line 10)
E: pledge (line 11)
F: shake (line 12)
Couplet:
G: planet (line 13)
G: met (line 14)
In each quatrain, the first and third lines rhyme with each other (A and C), and the second and fourth lines rhyme with each other (B and D). This pattern creates a sense of harmony and balance within the poem, which is characteristic of the sonnet form.
The final couplet, with its GG rhyme scheme, serves to emphasize the poem's concluding message and provides a sense of closure. The rhyming words "planet" and "met" in the couplet reinforce the poem's theme of interconnectedness and the importance of caring for all creatures, including those we have not yet encountered.
Overall, the rhyme scheme in "Inviting Us To Care" contributes to the poem's structure and helps to convey its message effectively. The use of a traditional sonnet form, with its established rhyme scheme, adds a sense of timelessness to the poem's themes, emphasizing the enduring importance of caring for the environment and its inhabitants. (GPT4)
Count the syllables of each line of the poem
(www.howmanysyllables.com)
Inviting Us To Care
10 Fastuously we think to be human
10 Is condition enough to control fate
10 Ignoring that we are a poor layman
10 In skills for which other species well rate.
10 Let us think how much we need plants to breathe
10 And that we learnt from fish ways without air
10 And we see stars and what lies underneath
10 But have passions beyond where others dare.
10 There is no real advantage to our edge
10 Cruel wheather, predation or an earthquake
10 Will come and ask each time for a new pledge
10 Making us care when our foundations shake.
10 To care for the creatures of our planet
10 Including all the ones we have not met.
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 to gain a deeper understanding of its themes and message:
1-. Imagery: Analyzing the imagery used in the poem can help reveal the poet's intentions and evoke specific emotions in the reader. For example, the mention of stars and what lies beneath can be seen as a symbol of human curiosity and our desire to explore the unknown.
2-. Diction: Examining the poet's word choice can provide insight into the tone and mood of the poem. For instance, words like "fastuously," "layman," and "predation" contribute to the poem's critique of human arrogance and vulnerability.
3-. Metaphor and Simile: Identifying any metaphors or similes in the poem can help uncover deeper meanings and connections between ideas. In this poem, the poet uses metaphorical language when discussing the human condition, such as "we are a poor layman" and "there is no real advantage to our edge."
4-. Tone: Analyzing the tone of the poem can help determine the poet's attitude towards the subject matter. In "Inviting Us To Care," the tone can be described as reflective and cautionary, urging the reader to reconsider their relationship with the environment and other species.
5-. Theme: Identifying the central themes of the poem can help clarify its overall message. In this case, the themes of interconnectedness, human vulnerability, and environmental responsibility are prominent throughout the poem.
6-. Historical and Cultural Context: Considering the historical and cultural context in which the poem was written can provide additional insight into its meaning. In the case of "Inviting Us To Care," the poem's message is particularly relevant in the context of contemporary environmental concerns, such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
By examining these aspects of the poem, you can gain a more comprehensive understanding of "Inviting Us To Care" and its message, as well as appreciate the poet's skill in conveying complex ideas through the sonnet form. (GPT4)
