Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Solomon Ibn Gabirol's poem "What's With You" is a sharp critique of hypocrisy and the judgmental attitudes often found in society. The poem addresses the harm caused by gossip and the superficial judgments people make, particularly against those who may be more righteous or spiritually significant than they appear.

The poem begins with a direct question: "What's with you / in your secret network," immediately creating a sense of confrontation. The phrase "secret network" suggests a web of deceit, gossip, or clandestine activities where harmful behavior is hidden from public view. This network, "riddled with worms like a gourd," uses the image of decay to symbolize the corruption within this network. Just as a gourd may look fine on the outside but is rotten inside, so too are the actions and attitudes of those involved in this network. The "worms" signify moral corruption, eating away at the integrity of those who participate in such behavior.

The poem then shifts to the specific behavior being criticized: "With great delight / you badmouth the beggar / you didn’t know was a priest to the Lord." Here, Ibn Gabirol highlights the act of speaking ill of others, especially those who appear to be lowly or insignificant, like a beggar. The use of "with great delight" indicates that this slander is not just casual but is done with enthusiasm, perhaps even malice. However, the twist comes with the revelation that the beggar, whom the speaker's subject so easily dismisses, is actually "a priest to the Lord." This phrase suggests that the person being maligned is far more spiritually significant than the slanderers realize, implying that outward appearances can be deceiving and that one's true worth cannot be judged by superficial means.

The poem challenges the reader to reconsider how they perceive and treat others, particularly those who might be marginalized or looked down upon by society. It also serves as a warning against the dangers of gossip and the presumption of understanding someone's true nature based on their external circumstances. The beggar-priest image is powerful because it subverts expectations, revealing that those who seem lowly may have a closer connection to the divine than those who judge them.

"What’s With You" is a call to humility and a reminder that true worth is often hidden beneath the surface. Ibn Gabirol exposes the pettiness and moral decay of those who engage in gossip and judgment, urging readers to recognize the potential holiness in others, regardless of their outward appearances. The poem underscores the importance of seeing beyond the surface and warns against the dangers of arrogance and superficial judgments.

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