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प्रश्न
Why does the poet say Macavity is ‘outwardly’ respectable?
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उत्तर
The poet says that Macavity is respectable ‘out wardly’ because all his stealthy, criminal activities betray his vile nature.
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संबंधित प्रश्न
Guess what friendly words these two gentlemen exchange when shaking hands.
What happens to the poet when he visits someone for the third time?
What does he desire to unlearn and relearn?
How is the poet’s laugh reflected in the mirror?
Interpret each of the following expression used in the poem, in one or two line.
shake hands without hearts
Interpret each of the following expression used in the poem, in one or two line.
like a fixed portrait smile
Explain the following line with reference to the context.
I have learned to wear my faces Like dresses …
The poet is satisfied just watching the heroic deeds of others. What could be the reason?
The poet does not wish to exchange places with the athletes. How does he justify his view?
Explain the following with reference to the context in about 50–60 word each.
I am just glad as glad can be That I am not them, that they are not me…
Why do accidents usually happen in the playground? Give your own examples and explain
Would you like to exchange your place with someone else? Why/why not?
Explain the following line with reference to the context in about four to five sentence each.
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.
Explain the following line with reference to the context in about four to five sentence each.
The birds around me hopp’d and play’d,
Their thoughts I cannot measure.
Read the poem once again. Identify the rhyme scheme and pick out the rhyming pairs of words.
How does the poet feel while enjoying the beauty of Nature?
Does Nature affect a person’s thoughts and feelings? Explain.
The poet experiences sadness because ______.
Mention any two qualities of Macavity.
Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.
He sways his head from side to
side, with movements like a snake;
And when you think he’s half asleep,
he’s always wide awake…
- Explain the comparison made here.
- What does he pretend to do?
Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.
There never was a Cat of such deceitfulness and suavity.
- Which cat is being talked of here?
- How is he different from the rest?
What is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?
Why does the speaker say ‘Everest is not the only peak’?
Creative Activity
- Write eight words you associate with success.
- Use the words to write eight lines that mean success to you or how success makes you feel.
- Arrange your lines into a poem.
- Share your poem with the class and post a copy on the notice board.
Discuss the following topics in groups of five and choose a representative to sum up the views and share them with the class.
To succeed in life, one must have a single-minded devotion to duty.
The historical background:
The poem is an extract from William Shakespeare’s play King Richard the Second. The play is based on true events that occurred towards the end of the 14th century.
Richard II was crowned the King of England in the year 1367. He continued to be the British Monarch until 1399, when he was deposed by his cousin, Henry of Bolingbroke, who crowned himself King Henry the Fourth in the same year. Shakespeare’s play is a dramatic rendition of the last two years of King Richard II’s life. In this brief span of time, he was ousted from his royal position and sent to prison, where he died in captivity.
The following extract is set in the Coast of Wales. King Richard and some of his followers awaited the arrival of the Welsh army [after facing defeat at the hands of his cousin, Bolingbroke], of about 10000 warriors. But to their shock and surprise, they received the message that the army was not coming to their rescue. His followers tried to boost their King’s courage against the news, only in vain. When Richard came face to face with the reality of his terrible fate, he spoke the following verse, famously known as the “Hollow Crown” speech in theatrical circles. In it, King Richard is reminded of the power of Death that overshadows everything else, including the power of rulers, and renders them as powerless as any commoner at a moment’s notice.
Fill in the blanks using the words given in the box to complete the summary of the poem:
King Richard the Second, had surrendered to his (a)______cousin, Bollingbroke. He experienced deep distress at the horror of his circumstances. In that desperate situation, he speaks of (b)______, (c)______, (d)______and other things connected with death. He spoke of how people leave nothing behind and can call nothing their own, except for the small patch of (e)______, where they will be buried. King Richard yielded to dejection and talked of all the different ways in which defeated kings suffer how some had been deposed, (f)______in war, (g)______by their wives and so forth. He attributed this loss of lives to (h)______, who he personified as the jester who watches over the shoulder of every ruler, who mocks kings by allowing them to think their human flesh, was like (i)______brass. However, Death penetrates through the castle walls, silently and unnoticed like a sharp (j)______, thus bidding (k)______to him and all his pride forever. Finally, Richard appealed to his soldiers not to mock his mere flesh and blood by showing (l) ______and respect to him. He added that he too needed bread to live, felt want, tasted (m)______and needed (n)______. He concluded thus, urging his men not to call him a (o)______as he was only human, just like the rest of them.
| barren-earth | friends | graves | slain |
| rebellious | poisoned | worms | grief |
| impregnable | epitaphs | death | farewell |
| reverence | king | pin |
What do the three words, ‘graves, worms and epitaphs’, refer to?
What does the executor mentioned in the poem do?
Based on your reading of King Richard’s speech, answer the following questions in about 100 - 150 words each. You may add your own ideas if required to present and justify your point of view.
Death has been cited in many ways in this monologue. Identify the poetic devices used in those references.
