What literary device appears in verses 3 through 9 in The Canticle? In other words, what is all of nature according to Saint Francis…. What is the comparison being drawn? What was Saint Francis suggesting about humankind and nature?
The literacy devices that appears from verse 3 through 9 arepersonification, metaphors and descriptive language. Metaphors are used to compare nature and human beings by personifying the main bodies of nature. In verse 3, the sun is referred to as ‘sir’ and‘brother’. Sir is a term that is used to politelyand respectfully address a man,particularly one in a place of authority. Still, the sun is given a male personality to denote its strength and leadershipover the earth. The author states that the sun is respected male in the earth to show that it plays a vital role in the earth. The termbrother denotes that the sun and man are made by the same God.
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Similarly, in verse four, the moon and star are referred to as ‘sister’ to show that they have feminine features. Francis states that the stars and moon are precious, beautiful, and precious;features that are mainly attributed to a woman.
The windis also personified and referred to as ‘brother’ as it is masculine in its characteristics. However, it is not referred to as sir like the sun, meaning the wind is not held in high respect and regard among men.
Similarly, the fire is referred to as ‘brother’, meaning it is masculine just like the sun and the wind. Descriptive words used to describe it are playful, robust, and strong. Verse nine describes the earth as a sister and mother. She is declared as a governor and producer; the one who gives birth to and nurtures all that we see in the earth. The personification offers the comparison that occurs between a mother and the earth. A mother is the source of life in her family just like the earth is the source of life to all that she carries.
The term sister and brother also mean that we as humans share a creator with nature.
There are at least 2 elements of nature that have another title in addition to “brother” and “sister”. Which are they? Why do you think this distinction is added to these elements?
The sun is not only called ‘brother’but also‘sir’, as earlier explained. Sir denotes the respect that is accorded to the sun by all the living creatures. It is held in high regard as it bears semblance to the Most High God, according to the poet
Similarly, the earth is also referred to as ‘mother’ due to her ability to produce and nurture what she bears just like a mother. The term insinuates that just as children look up to their mother’s for provision, the inhabitants of the earth look to the earth. Also just as a husband looks up to the woman to give birth, so do nature look up to the earth to reproduce.
According to the opening paragraph, verses 10 and 11 were added later. What do you think Francis’ message in these verses? Do you think they connect to the preceding verses? If so, how?
Verse 10 and 11 refer to the men who forgive others simply because of the love of God. These people neither hold grudgesnorpropagate hate in the earth.Instead, they love all people and even endure many problems because of God. These are saints who also play an important role in the earth by setting an example to other humans. The peoplereferred to in these verses run their races without looking back,since as Francis says, the crown of life is their target. Asis also says that the saintssuffersickness just because of their martyr roles in the society. The verses connect to the rest of the poem because they now describe the role of Christians on the earth. The verses are important because just as nature plays a role in the sustenance of life, the saints also bring order in the earth. They bring calm where there are frictions and problems among men.
How are verses 12 and 13 connected to the remainder of the canticle?
Verse 12 and 13 also play a vital role in showing that death is the only route that man transitions to share eternity with God. This verse stands out because it warns people against sins and unruly living,stating that those who are caught unawares by death will spend eternity in hell. On the other hand, Francis asks people to be holyso that they spend eternity with God. Francis shows that death is cruel to the sinful, yet it does no harm to the righteous.
How do verses 1 and 14 relate to one another and provide an important overarching message to The Canticle?
Verse one describes the power and greatness of God. St. Francis ascribes honor, glory, and blessing to God, and calls him the most high. The above shows the reader that God is the greatest and sets the pace for the rest of the poem. On the other hand, verse 14 asks the reader to praise God and give him praise. He also asks the reader to serve God with humility. The verse offers a conclusion that gives thereader direction on what is expected if they have to live fulfilled lives and eventually spend eternity with God.
What relationships are present in The Canticle?
There are familialrelationships in the Canticle . Case in point St.Francisrefers to the forces of nature as either brother, sister, or mother. The above insinuates that all that God created, whether alive or not,are members of one family.
