Chat GPT on Hafez

Today Chat GPT and I are discussing poetry. Classical Persian poetry, to be exact. And giving OpenAI‘s technology an opportunity to show its more sensitive side (as well as its formidable ability to help with translation).

Khaja Shamsuddin Muhammad Hafez Shirazi (1325-1390 C.E.) —?‘Hafez‘, for short — is the Persian Shakespeare. Greater than Shakespeare for Iranians, because while most Britons struggle to quote something from their ‘Bard’, Iranians can reel off vast swathes of his poetry. Secular or religious, it speaks to people as much in these times as it ever did, helped by the fact that Farsi hasn‘t changed anything like as much as English has over the centuries, so Hafez’ poems don‘t sound particularly archaic.

In Persian culture the collected poems of Hafez are used as an oracle. When I was learning Persian calligraphy with the wonderful Payman Hamed, we spent two years working with the poems of Omar Khayyam and two years with Hafez. Each week‘s lesson would start with Payman taking a ‘fa’l’ —?opening Hafez‘ collected works (the ‘Divan‘) at random to offer up a poem. He would read this in Farsi and then we would translate it, while Payman would point out which lines would make for a beautiful calligraphic composition (aesthetically and semantically). A form of bibliomancy, a ‘fa’l’ is believed to hold insight and guidance for a burning question.

To kick off this conversation with Chat GPT, I‘m going to take a ‘fa’l’ for humanity at this moment of time, from an online fa’l application.

Here is the poem it turned up (in Farsi):

?? ??? ??? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ????? ??????

?? ???? ????? ?? ??? ??? ? ???? ??? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????

??????? ?? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??? ??? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???? ??? ?????????

????? ????? ?? ? ????? ?? ? ????? ??? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??? ??? ?????

????? ????? ?? ?? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ? ????????? ?????

?? ??? ?? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ??????

?? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?????

???? ??????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ?????

???? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ?? ?? ?? ???

Me: Please give a fairly literal, non-rhyming English translation of this ghazal of Hafez.

ChatGPT:

If the dust of my beloved's foot gives me her hand,

I'll paint lines of dust on the tablet of sight.

I drown in hope on the scent of your shore,

From the wave of my tear, reaching to my shore.

If I reach the beloved's soul as a moth in search of life,

Like a candle, I'll entrust my soul in a moment.

Today, don't mention loyalty to me and thoughts,

Since that night I raise my hands in prayer from sorrow.

Your black tresses bring solace to lovers,

They set agreements and break my resolve.

Oh breeze, bring me a scent from that wine,

That aroma might dispel the haze of my intoxication.

If the friend's discerning heart doesn't grant mine,

I'll count the moments from my eyes as soul's currency.

Spread the dusty skirt of mine,

For after me, from this door, my dust cannot be taken.

Hafez, her ruby lips are dearer than my life,

It'll be a lifetime when I bring my soul to her lips.

[I’m going to pause here and give the poem as it was translated by the late Peter Avery, Lecturer in Persian Language, Literature and History at Cambridge University, so we can compare Chat GPT‘s translation and pick up on anything that might be going a little awry. I‘ll also usually refer to the ninteteenth century translation of Lieutenant-Colonel Wilberforce-Clarke, as his translations pay particular attention to the idioms Hafez uses, Farsi being a highly idiomatic language. Note that the version Avery translates has the couplets in a slightly different order from the version I‘ve given Chat GPT to translate.

If the dust on the sole of the idol’s foot were to lend me a hand,

I would trace a dusty line on the slate of my sight.

If, in quest of the soul, his edict were to reach me,

That very moment like a candle at one breath I would be extinguished.

Though my friend does not put the base coin of my heart to the test.

Yet on his path from my eye I count out coin of legal tender.

Do not shake the dust of me off the hem of your garment, because after me,

Not even the wind can from this door blow my dust away.

I am drowned in hope of your embrace, but there is the hope

That by the wave of my tears I might be carried to the shore.

Today do not divert my head from my fidelity, but think

Of that night when out of grief I lift my hand in prayer.

Your brace of black tresses for the comforting of lovers

Granted a settlement but left me unsettled.

O wind bring me a breeze from that wine,

That by its fragrance it might cure my hangover.

Hafez, since to me this ruby lip is precious life,

May it be a life for me the moment I am about to give life up.

I’m also going to ask Chat GPT to parse the poem —?I won‘t give the whole of this here —?so I can go back to particular words and phrases where its translation seems to be wanting.]

Me: Please parse the poem, giving the translation of each work, the part of speech and the person and tense of verbs.

ChatGPT:

Sure, let's parse the ghazal:

1. ?? (gar) - if (conjunction)

2. ??? (dast) - hand (noun, singular, accusative)

3. ??? (dehad) - gives (verb, third person, singular, present subjunctive)

4. ??? (khak) - dust (noun, singular, accusative)

5. ?? (kaf) - palm (noun, singular, genitive)

6. ??? (pay) - foot (noun, singular, genitive)

7. ????? (negaram) - my beloved (noun, singular, accusative)

Translation: If the dust of my beloved's foot gives me her hand.

etc...

[God, I fucking love this technology!]

Me: What do you think the poem is saying?

ChatGPT: The poem, written by the Persian poet Hafez, is rich in metaphorical language and imagery commonly found in classical Persian poetry. Here's an interpretation of its essence:

The poet expresses a deep longing and devotion to their beloved, using various metaphors to convey their feelings. The opening lines speak of a profound desire to be close to the beloved, even if it means being in contact with something as humble as the dust from their foot. This portrays the willingness to accept any form of connection or intimacy with the beloved.

The imagery of painting lines of dust on the tablet of sight suggests the poet's desire to etch their love into the very essence of their being, emphasizing the significance of the beloved in their perception of the world.

The mention of drowning in hope on the scent of the beloved's shore evokes a sense of being overwhelmed by longing and anticipation, highlighting the emotional intensity of the poet's feelings.

The comparison of the poet to a moth in search of life emphasizes the depth of their quest for union with the beloved, suggesting a willingness to sacrifice everything for the sake of love.

Overall, the poem conveys themes of love, longing, devotion, and the transcendent power of human connection. It speaks to the universal experience of yearning for union with the beloved, using vivid imagery and metaphor to evoke the complexities of human emotion.

Me: That‘s a good worldly interpretation. How might it be understood by a Sufi mystic?

From a Sufi mystical perspective, this ghazal can be interpreted on multiple levels, delving into the deeper spiritual meanings embedded within its verses:

1. Union with the Divine: The longing expressed by the poet for the beloved can be seen as symbolic of the Sufi's yearning for union with the Divine. Just as the poet desires closeness with their earthly beloved, the Sufi seeks intimacy with the Beloved (God). The imagery of the dust of the beloved's foot may represent the humility and surrender required to approach the Divine.

2. Spiritual Journey: The references to drowning in hope and searching for life as a moth can be interpreted as metaphors for the Sufi's spiritual journey. The journey towards God is often described as a path of surrender, where the seeker willingly loses themselves in the ocean of Divine love, guided by the light of spiritual truth like a moth drawn to a flame.

3. The Beloved's Attributes: The descriptions of the beloved's scent and black tresses can symbolize the Divine qualities and attributes that attract the seeker on their spiritual path. The scent may represent the fragrance of Divine grace, while the black tresses could symbolize the mystery and beauty of the Divine essence.

4. Annihilation in Divine Love: The mention of the poet entrusting their soul to the beloved in a moment reflects the concept of fanaa (annihilation) in Sufism. The seeker's ego is surrendered completely to the Divine, experiencing a state of selflessness and union where only the Beloved exists.

5. Longing and Devotion: The overall theme of longing and devotion in the ghazal resonates deeply with the Sufi path, where love for the Divine is considered the highest form of devotion. The intensity of the poet's longing reflects the Sufi's yearning for closeness with God, a yearning that transcends worldly desires and leads to spiritual fulfillment.

In essence, from a Sufi perspective, this ghazal can be seen as a mystical expression of the seeker's journey towards Divine union, using earthly symbols and imagery to convey profound spiritual truths and experiences.

[I’m going to interject here to add, for the benefit of readers who are not familiar with Farsi, that the language has no gender, therefore references to ‘the beloved’ etc. can be taken be taken as referring to a human beloved —?male or female (because men in Hafez’ time could also have tresses, etc. and love poems easily lend themselves to a homoerotic reading, too) —?or it can be taken as referring to a Divine beloved (conventionally ‘He’ in Islam, but ‘She’ could also refer to the pre-Islamic ‘Anahita‘, and Hafez usually refers to his teacher as ‘pir-i moghan’, elder of the Magians).]

Me: How might the poem be taken as a reference to the condition of humanity in the present time?

ChatGPT: Interpreting the poem in the context of humanity's present condition involves drawing parallels between the themes expressed in the ghazal and contemporary human experiences. Here's how it could be understood:

1. Longing for Connection: In a world characterized by technological advancements and fast-paced lifestyles, there's often a sense of disconnection and longing for genuine human connection. The poem's portrayal of longing for intimacy with the beloved can resonate with the modern-day yearning for meaningful relationships amidst the digital age's superficial interactions.

2. Seeking Fulfillment: Despite the material comforts and conveniences available in the modern world, many individuals still grapple with a sense of emptiness and unfulfilled desires. The imagery of the poet searching for life as a moth might reflect the human quest for purpose and fulfillment, as people seek deeper meaning beyond material possessions and achievements.

3. Yearning for Spiritual Connection: Amidst the hustle and bustle of contemporary life, there's a growing interest in spirituality and mindfulness practices as people seek solace and inner peace. The poem's themes of surrender, devotion, and spiritual journey could resonate with individuals exploring spirituality as a means of finding meaning and connection in their lives.

4. Striving for Unity Amidst Division: In an increasingly polarized world marked by social, political, and cultural divides, the poem's emphasis on love, longing, and union can serve as a reminder of our shared humanity. It highlights the universal desire for connection and unity, transcending barriers of nationality, religion, and ideology.

5. Yearning for Beauty and Grace: In a world often plagued by conflict, injustice, and hardship, the poem's evocative imagery of beauty and grace can offer a glimpse of hope and inspiration. It speaks to humanity's innate capacity to appreciate and seek out moments of beauty, kindness, and compassion amidst adversity.

Overall, interpreting the poem in the context of humanity's present condition underscores the timeless relevance of its themes, offering insights into the human experience across different eras and cultures. It invites reflection on the universal aspects of longing, love, and transcendence that bind us together as human beings, regardless of the challenges and complexities of the modern world.

Me: Please write a properly metrical rub'ai in Farsi, rhyming the first, second and fourth line, summarising the principal themes of this ghazal of Hafez, and then give a fairly literal unrhymed English translation of the rub’ai.

ChatGPT: ChatGPT

?? ????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?????

?? ???? ????? ??????? ?????

?????? ???? ??? ?? ?? ???????

?? ???? ??? ?? ???? ???? ??????

Literal translation:

In search of soulmate, I roam in the street of love,

In hope of an endless meeting, I bloom.

In a corner of love's house, I am captured by you,

In hope of your face, I'll never be out of time.

[I’m really, really looking forward to what this technology will be able to do in a couple of years time when it can really master the subtleties of composition (but it is truly amazing that it has already got this far). I can‘t imagine that composing poetry in Farsi was any kind of priority for Open.AI, but somehow Chat GPT has taught itself to do it.]

Me: !????? ?? ??? ?????? — ??? ????

ChatGPT: ????? ?????! ??????? ? ?? ???? ????? ????. ??? ?? ???? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ????