Question

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

De Lorge’s love o’erheard the King, a beauteous lively dame With smiling lips and sharp bright eyes, which always seemed the same; She thought, the Count my lover is brave as brave can be;

1. Which King is being referred to in the above lines? What did the lady do? What was the immediate cause that triggered her thought? (Recall & Understanding)
2. How did the Count react to her action? What did he do later? Why? (Recall, Understanding and Application)
3. Describe the fight between the lions in the pit. (Recall)
4. What message is the poet trying to convey through the poem? (Understanding and Application)
5. What does the glove symbolise for:
   
   1. the Count
   2. the Lady
      How would you describe the Count’s mood at the end of the poem? (Analysis and Evaluate)

Answer 1

1. The king mentioned in these lines is King Francis. De Lorge’s beloved decided to drop her glove into the lions’ pit to test her lover’s courage and love. She got this idea after hearing the king talk about the danger and seeing that everyone in the royal court was watching.
2. When the lady dropped her glove, Count de Lorge understood what she wanted. He smiled, bowed, and bravely jumped into the lions’ pit. After picking up the glove, he returned safely, but instead of giving it back with love, he threw it at her face and walked away. He did this because he was upset that she had risked his life only to show off and gain attention.
3. The fight between the lions was very fierce and violent. They roared loudly, attacked each other, and struck with great force. They rolled around in the pit, creating a lot of noise, dust, and confusion. Bloody foam flew through the air, showing how dangerous the fight was.
4. The poet wants to teach that true love should be based on care and respect, not on pride or showing off. Lovers should never put each other in danger to prove their love. The poem also teaches that too much vanity and the desire for attention can lead to harmful results.
5. For the lady, the glove was a way to test her lover’s love and bravery and to gain attention from everyone. For Count de Lorge, the glove became a symbol of the lady’s pride and her careless attitude towards his safety. At the end of the poem, he felt angry and disappointed, so he threw the glove back at her and rejected her foolish act.