Question

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

Ramped and roared the lions, with horrid laughing jaws; They bit, they glared, gave blows like beams, a wind went with their paws; With wallowing might and stifled roar they rolled on one another; Till all the pit with sand and mane was in a thunderous smother; The bloody foam above the bars came whisking through the air; Said Francis then, “Faith, gentlemen, we’re better here than there.”

1. What kind of royal sport was in progress? Is it popular these days? Why/Why not? (Understanding and Analysis)
2. Who stole the heart of King Francis? In what state of mind was he? (Analysis)
3. How does the poet describe the lion’s fight? Which figure of speech is used in the description? What is its function? (Understanding and Analysis)
4. What did the air carry afar? What did it reveal? (Understanding and Analysis)
5. Comment on the king’s remark. Who was attracted by his comment? (Understanding and Analysis)

Answer 1

1. The royal sport was a fight between fierce lions. This kind of entertainment is not popular today because it is cruel to animals. It is considered wrong and is banned in most parts of the world.
2. Count de Lorge’s beloved won the heart of King Francis with her beauty. The king admired her greatly, was attracted by her charm, and felt jealous of Count de Lorge.
3. The poet describes the lions as fierce and violent. They roared loudly, bit each other, glared angrily, and struck with great force. They rolled over each other, making the whole pit noisy and full of dust and flying foam. The poet uses alliteration, personification, and simile to make the lion fight more vivid, exciting, and full of suspense.
4. The bloody foam from the lions’ fight spread through the air above the bars. This shows how fierce, violent, and dangerous the fight was.
5. While watching the lion fight from a safe place, King Francis said that he and the gentlemen were lucky to be away from the danger. De Lorge’s beautiful beloved heard the king’s words and was attracted by his comment.