Sonnet 13 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares:

We know

We know that a small part of the money

The world uses for its wars without aim

Could be used to bathe with milk and honey

Humanoid ghosts that walk on a bones frame.

We know that a little understanding 5

For those who need the church to follow God

Would yield room to those already standing

On these rich lands today covered with blood. 8

We know that without so much selfishness

Or wealthy people each day more alone

There would be more blooming of happiness

And their face would glow with an angel's tone.

If we know for sure that something is wrong

Let us retreat some steps and fare along.

***

5-8-. This quatrain alludes to third world countries that double their population every so often and do not do enough to regulate their population because they are impeded by their beliefs.

Sonnet originally written in English by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares.

Analyzed by GPT4 and www.howmanysyllables.com

Analysis of "We Know" by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares

Sonnet 13 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares is a reflection on the world's priorities and the potential for change if resources were allocated differently. The poem is structured as a traditional sonnet with 14 lines, divided into three quatrains and a final rhymed couplet. The rhyme scheme follows the pattern ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

In the first quatrain (lines 1-4), the poet highlights the vast amount of money spent on wars and suggests that even a small portion of these funds could be used to improve the lives of impoverished people, metaphorically described as "humanoid ghosts that walk on a bones frame." This imagery evokes a sense of suffering and deprivation.

The second quatrain (lines 5-8) addresses the issue of religious beliefs hindering progress in third world countries, as explained in the provided footnote. The poet argues that a little understanding for those who rely on the church for guidance could lead to better living conditions and less bloodshed on the "rich lands" they inhabit.

The third quatrain (lines 9-12) focuses on the consequences of selfishness and wealth accumulation. The poet suggests that if there were less selfishness and isolation among the wealthy, there would be more happiness and a metaphorical "angel's tone" on their faces, implying a sense of purity and goodness.

The final couplet (lines 13-14) serves as a call to action. The poet acknowledges that we know something is wrong with the world and urges us to "retreat some steps and fare along," meaning to reconsider our actions and make changes for the better.

Overall, Sonnet 13 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares is a powerful commentary on the world's misplaced priorities and the potential for positive change if we reconsider our values and actions.

Analyze the rhyme of the poem in detail

In Sonnet 13 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares, the rhyme scheme follows the pattern of a traditional Shakespearean sonnet, which is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This means that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme with each other, and the second and fourth lines of each quatrain rhyme with each other. The final couplet has a rhyming pair. Let's analyze the rhyme in detail:

Quatrain 1:

A: money (line 1)

B: aim (line 2)

A: honey (line 3)

B: frame (line 4)

Quatrain 2:

C: understanding (line 5)

D: God (line 6)

C: standing (line 7)

D: blood (line 8)

Quatrain 3:

E: selfishness (line 9)

F: alone (line 10)

E: happiness (line 11)

F: tone (line 12)

Couplet:

G: wrong (line 13)

G: along (line 14)

The poet uses end rhymes to create a sense of harmony and structure throughout the poem. This traditional rhyme scheme contributes to the poem's overall impact and helps to emphasize the poet's message about the world's misplaced priorities and the potential for positive change.

(GPT4)

Count the syllables of each line of the poem

(www.howmanysyllables.com)

We know

10 We know that a small part of the money

10 The world uses for its wars without aim

10 Could be used to bathe with milk and honey

10 Humanoid ghosts that walk on a bones frame.

10 We know that a little understanding

10 For those who need the church to follow God

10 Would yield room to those already standing

10 On these rich lands today covered with blood.

10 We know that without so much selfishness

10 Or wealthy people each day more alone

10 There would be more blooming of happiness

10 And their face would glow with an angel's tone.

10 If we know for sure that something is wrong

10 Let us retreat some steps and fare along.

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 meaning and impact:

1-. Imagery and Metaphors: Analyzing the vivid images and metaphors used in the poem can help to reveal the poet's intentions and emotions. For example, the "humanoid ghosts that walk on a bones frame" (lines 3-4) and "their face would glow with an angel's tone" (line 12) are powerful images that evoke strong emotions and contribute to the poem's overall message.

2-. Tone and Mood: Examining the tone and mood of the poem can provide insight into the poet's attitude towards the subject matter. In this poem, the tone is reflective and critical, as the poet questions the world's priorities and calls for change.

3-. Themes: Identifying the central themes of the poem can help to clarify its meaning and significance. In Sonnet 13, some key themes include the misuse of resources, the impact of religious beliefs on progress, the consequences of selfishness and wealth accumulation, and the potential for positive change.

4-. Structure and Form: Analyzing the poem's structure and form can reveal how the poet has chosen to convey their message. In this case, the poet has used a traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, which consists of three quatrains and a final rhymed couplet. This choice of form may be intended to emphasize the poem's timeless message and its relevance to contemporary society.

5-. Diction and Language: Examining the poet's choice of words and language can provide insight into the poem's meaning and impact. In Sonnet 13, the poet uses a combination of simple and complex language to convey their message, which can help to make the poem accessible to a wide range of readers.

6-. Alliteration and Assonance: Analyzing the use of alliteration (repetition of consonant sounds) and assonance (repetition of vowel sounds) can reveal how the poet creates a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. For example, in line 10, "wealthy people each day more alone," the repetition of the 'l' sound in "wealthy," "people," and "alone" creates a sense of flow and cohesion.

7-. Enjambment: Examining the use of enjambment, which is the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, can provide insight into the poem's structure and the poet's intentions. In Sonnet 13, enjambment is used in several instances, such as between lines 1 and 2, and lines 3 and 4. This technique helps to create a sense of continuity and fluidity in the poem, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the issues discussed.

8-. Punctuation and Syntax: Analyzing the poet's use of punctuation and syntax can reveal how they control the pace and rhythm of the poem. In Sonnet 13, the poet uses a mix of punctuation, including commas, periods, and line breaks, to create pauses and control the flow of the poem. This helps to guide the reader through the poem and emphasize key ideas and emotions.

9-. Symbolism: Identifying any symbols used in the poem can help to reveal deeper layers of meaning. In Sonnet 13, the "milk and honey" in line 3 can be seen as a symbol of abundance and prosperity, while the "angel's tone" in line 12 represents purity and goodness.

10-. Historical and Cultural Context: Considering the historical and cultural context in which the poem was written can provide insight into the poet's motivations and the issues they were addressing. In the case of Sonnet 13, understanding the challenges faced by third world countries and the global issues related to wealth distribution, war, and religious beliefs can help to illuminate the poem's message and significance.

By exploring these additional aspects of Sonnet 13 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares, you can develop a more comprehensive understanding of the poem and appreciate the poet's skill in conveying a thought-provoking message about the world's priorities and the potential for positive change. (GPT4)