A Degenerate Age. (Translations From The Hebrew Poets Of Medaeval Spain.)

By Emma Lazarus

Sonnet
    Where is the man who has been tried and found strong and sound?     Where is the friend of reason and of knowledge?     I see only sceptics and weaklings.     I see only prisoners in the durance of the senses,     And every fool and every spendthrift     Thinks himself as great a master as Aristotle.     Think'st thou that they have written poems?     Call'st thou that a Song?     I call it the cackling of ravens.     The zeal of the prophet must free poesy     From the embrace of wanton youths.     My song I have inscribed on the forehead of Time,     They know and hate it - for it is lofty. Solomon Ben Judah Gabirol (Died Between 1070-80.)

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Create Image

Transform this poem into a beautiful shareable image

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Sonnets
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem, a sonnet by Solomon Ben Judah Gabirol, critiques the superficiality of contemporary society, where intellectual and artistic merit is often overlooked in favor of fleeting pleasures. The poem's structure, with its traditional sonnet form and rhyme scheme, belies its biting satire, as Gabirol employs a tone of irony and disdain to expose the shallowness of his time. The use of imagery, particularly the comparison of the masses to prisoners in the durance of the senses, creates a vivid picture of the poet's disillusionment with the world. A significant tonal shift occurs in the final couplet, where Gabirol asserts that his own song, though despised by others, is a work of enduring beauty, inscribed on the forehead of Time. This statement serves as a testament to the poet's conviction in the power of art to transcend the limitations of human perception. The observation that Gabirol's poem is lofty suggests that its elevated language and themes are a deliberate choice, one that sets it apart from the trivialities of everyday life.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.