Sonnet 101 "Pythian Rites" By Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares
Posthumous work of the Colombian poet born in Don Matias on January 20, 1948.
Welcome to this blog dedicated to the Posthumous work of the Colombian poet Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares born in Don Matias on January 20, 1948-2010. Where I will be publishing each of the 170 sonnets from his unpublished collection ‘Sonnets For The Twenty First Century And A Circadian Musical (1984-1987).’ Analyzed with GPT4 artificial intelligence and illustrated with AI tools… I hope you enjoy this garden of words snatched from the solitude of a locked room.
Likewise, any enthusiast of the sonnet form is invited to conduct their personal studies of Arroyave Tabares’ work, as it is a collection that, although registered since 1989, has not yet been published.
Frank Duna
Sonnet 101 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares
Pythian Rites
The book of time has some pages hidden
That only the rocks perhaps remember
Ānd signs that are to our time forbidden
But written in stories of some amber. 4
In the meantime we can read a fable
Or study the myths that remain occult
To find hints that will make us more able
To read stars with knowledge of an adult.
I believe Apollo, in ancient day 9
Tired of hunting dipsas that shock the dirt 10
Visited "The Altar Stone" in each May 11
After seing his friend Boreas first. 12
Equinox, leap years, and things he thought great 13
He learnt, for Pythians to celebrate. 14
***
4-.amber= fossil resins found by sea costs. 9.Apollo= one of the
most important 0lympian gods for music, poetry, beauty, youth
and prophesy. His bitrth was celebrated each Soring by the
Theophania festivals, and his victory over the Phyton was
commemorated each fourth summer by the Pythian Games. 1O-.
dipsas= mythological dragons or snakes. 11-."The Altar Stone"= the
same "Stona Henge", which is a neolitic astrological observatory in
England. 12-.Boreas= the north wind personified. 13-. Equinox=
the time when the sun crosses the equator, twice a year. l4-
Pythian= a priestess of Apollo, or an inhabitant of delphi.
Analysis “Pythian Rites”
Introduction
Sonnet 101 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares, titled “Pythian Rites,” is a richly layered poem that draws heavily on classical mythology and ancient history. The sonnet is structured in the traditional Shakespearean format, consisting of three quatrains and a concluding couplet, with the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
Thematic Analysis
The first quatrain (lines 1-4) introduces the theme of time and hidden knowledge. The speaker refers to the “book of time” with “pages hidden” that only the “rocks” might remember. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the ancient wisdom and knowledge that has been lost or forgotten over time. The reference to “stories of some amber” suggests the preservation of ancient life and events in fossilized form, a metaphor for the enduring nature of history.
The second quatrain (lines 5-8) continues this theme, suggesting that we can learn from the “fable” and “myths” of the past. The speaker implies that these stories contain “hints” that can help us understand the universe (“read stars”) with the wisdom of an adult.
The third quatrain (lines 9-12) introduces the figure of Apollo, the Greek god of music, poetry, beauty, youth, and prophecy. The speaker imagines Apollo visiting “The Altar Stone” (Stonehenge), a Neolithic astronomical observatory, after seeing his friend Boreas, the personification of the north wind. This could be a metaphor for the transition from winter (represented by Boreas) to spring (represented by Apollo), a time of renewal and rebirth.
The final couplet (lines 13-14) refers to the equinox and leap years, astronomical events that mark the passage of time. The speaker suggests that Apollo learned these things for the Pythians to celebrate, referring to the priestesses of Apollo or the inhabitants of Delphi. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the role of religion and ritual in marking time and celebrating the cycles of nature.
Overall, “Pythian Rites” is a complex and evocative poem that explores themes of time, knowledge, history, and the natural world through the lens of classical mythology and ancient history. The sonnet form, with its structured rhyme and meter, provides a fitting framework for this exploration of timeless themes.
Rhyme Scheme
Sonnet 101 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares follows the traditional Shakespearean sonnet structure, which consists of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a concluding couplet (two-line stanza). The rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
Let’s break down the rhyme scheme of this sonnet:
Quatrain 1:
A: hidden (line 1)
B: remember (line 2)
A: forbidden (line 3)
B: amber (line 4)
Quatrain 2:
C: fable (line 5)
D: occult (line 6)
C: able (line 7)
D: adult (line 8)
Quatrain 3:
E: day (line 9)
F: dirt (line 10)
E: May (line 11)
F: first (line 12)
Couplet:
G: great (line 13)
G: celebrate (line 14)
As you can see, the end words of each line follow the ABAB CDCD EFEF GG pattern, which is characteristic of a Shakespearean sonnet. This structure creates a rhythmic and melodic effect, which enhances the overall impact of the poem. The final couplet (GG) often serves as a summary or a conclusion, providing a sense of closure to the poem. In this case, the couplet ties together the themes of time, knowledge, and celebration introduced in the preceding quatrains.
Additional Aspects to Analyze
While we’ve covered the structure, rhyme scheme, and some thematic elements of Sonnet 101 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares, there are still several aspects that can be further analyzed, including its use of imagery, allusion, and meter.
Imagery: The sonnet is rich in vivid and evocative imagery. For instance, the “book of time” with “pages hidden” and “stories of some amber” create a strong visual representation of the passage of time and the preservation of history. Similarly, the image of Apollo visiting Stonehenge and learning about astronomical events paints a vivid picture of the blending of myth and science.
Allusion: The sonnet is filled with allusions to Greek mythology and ancient history. Apollo, Boreas, and the Pythians are all figures from Greek mythology, while the “Altar Stone” refers to Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument in England. These allusions add depth and complexity to the poem, inviting readers to delve into the rich tapestry of ancient myths and history.
Meter: Like most traditional sonnets, Sonnet 101 is written in iambic pentameter, which means each line consists of five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables. This rhythmic pattern gives the poem a musical quality and helps to emphasize certain words and ideas.
Symbolism: The sonnet uses various symbols to convey its themes. For example, the “book of time” symbolizes the passage of time and the accumulation of knowledge, while the “amber” symbolizes the preservation of history. Apollo and Boreas symbolize spring and winter respectively, representing the cycle of seasons and the passage of time.
Tone: The tone of the sonnet is reflective and somewhat melancholic, suggesting a longing for the lost wisdom of the past. However, there is also a sense of hope and celebration in the idea that we can learn from the past and celebrate the cycles of nature.
Message: The sonnet seems to convey a message about the importance of learning from the past and celebrating the cycles of nature. It suggests that ancient myths and rituals can provide us with valuable insights into the nature of the universe and our place in it.
(GPT4)
Count the syllables of each line of the Sonnet
(www.howmanysyllables.com)
Pythian Rites
10 The book of time has some pages hidden
10 That only the rocks perhaps remember
10 Ānd signs that are to our time forbidden
10 But written in stories of some amber.
10 In the meantime we can read a fable
10 Or study the myths that remain occult
10 To find hints that will make us more able
10 To read stars with knowledge of an adult.
10 I believe Apollo, in ancient day
10 Tired of hunting dipsas that shock the dirt
10 Visited "The Altar Stone" in each May
10 After seing his friend Boreas first.
10 Equinox, leap years, and things he thought great
10 He learnt, for Pythians to celebrate.
***
Sonnets For The Twenty First Century And A Circadian Musical Written By Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares (1984-1987)
#poetry #sonnet #art #poems #poem #nostr #nostrart #artist #artnotai #artonnostr #artstr #literature #books #original #poet #poets #author #grownostr #poetstr #iambicpentameter #pleb #plebchain #zaps #mythology #myth
Analyzed by GPT4 and www.howmanysyllables.com; Image by leonardo.ai;
First published on Nostr Protocol by franciscoarroyavet@nostrplebs.com
