assisi Flashcards
“from which sawdust might run”
the comparison of the beggar to a sack with holes in it not only mirrors how he is dehumanised (being compared to an inanimate, ignored, useless) but also shows that just as a sack with holes in it is bent, misshapen, damaged and in need of repair to function, to too is the beggar in need of help and compassion which he is denied.
“outside the three tiers of churches”
juxtaposition- the beggar is poor, nothing, and ignored, whereas the church is grand, expensive, and upscale. this highlights the great difference between the two, and the corruption in that he is ostracised from the very institution created in honour of someone who would’ve helped him, who wouldn’t have ignored him. this shows hypocrisy of the church for allowing such suffering to occur
“how clever it was of giotto”
giotto told stories of god, but instead of focusing on this, the priest focuses on the paintings as a whole. he is admiring the painting rather than what is represents, and showing these values through his actions. again, this highlights hypocrisy and the corruption of the church for allowing suffering to occur.
“scattered the grain of the word”
in this metaphor the poet compares the tourists to stupid chickens blindly following and consuming food without thinking of it- much like the tourists listen and absorb the priests messages of god without thinking to help the beggar. he also compares the righteous priest to the person spreading the word of god- however we can see that he does not reflect this in his actions in that he walks past the beggar.
“passed the ruined temple outside”
this metaphor compares the beggar to a ruined temple. just as the ruined temple is crumbling, deteriorating, and in need of repair or else threatening collapse, so too is the beggar perhaps dying in need of medical attention and compassion from others. but instead, they walk past him, refusing to help him- again highlighted by the repetition of the word outside showing that he is separate from everyone else and outcast.
