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प्रश्न
Explain the following line with reference to the context in about 5 to 8 line:
“Comes at the last, and with a little pin
Bores through his castle wall, and farewell king!”
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उत्तर
- Reference: These lines are from the poem “The Hollow Crown” by William Shakespeare. The poem is an excerpt from the play “Richard II”.
- Context: King Richard says these words while discussing the power of death over kings.
- Explanation: A king when he is ruling a country, looks very strong. He seems to be like an impregnable brass castle. But death with a small pinprick can easily shatter the castle. It can bid farewell easily to the king and send him to heaven.
- Comment: Death may be the greatest of all human blessings.
APPEARS IN
संबंधित प्रश्न
Guess what friendly words these two gentlemen exchange when shaking hands.

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Interpret each of the following expression used in the poem, in one or two line.
to unlearn all these muting things
Read the line given below and answer the question that follow.
‘Most of all, I want to relearn How to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror Shows only my teeth like a snake’s bare fangs!’
- Why does the poet want to relearn how to laugh?
- Whom does the poet want to relearn from?
- Mention the figure of speech used here.
The poet is satisfied just watching the heroic deeds of others. What could be the reason?
Why would the referee ask whether there was a doctor in the stands? What stands is he referring to?
Why does the poet prefer to buy tickets worth their weight in radium? Bring out the significance of the metal referred to here.
The poet does not wish to exchange places with the athletes. How does he justify his view?
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?
Find words from the poem that convey the following ideas:
- connected together
- spread over the surface of the ground in a straggling manner
- make out or understand
- slender woody shoots growing from branches or stems of trees
Read the lines given below and answer the question that follow.
If this belief from heaven be sent,
If such be Nature’s holy plan.
- What does ‘heaven’ refer to?
- Why does the poet call it ‘holy’?
How do people bring grief and sorrow to one another?
People admire some of these animal qualities. What are they? Have you noticed some of them in yourself or in others? Share your views with the class.
Why is the Flying Squad frustrated?
Which law does Macavity break?
Which two characters does the poet refer to as examples of wicked cats?
Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.
And his footprints are not found in any file of Scotland Yard’s.
- What seems to be a challenge for the Scotland Yard?
- Why do they need his footprints?
Explain the following line with reference to the context.
And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always wide awake
What does ‘hillock’ refer to in the line ‘Every hillock has a summit to boast!’?
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Read the given line and answer the question that follow.
Defeat we repel, courage our fort;
- How do we react to defeat?
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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.
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 |
Who is Bolingbroke? Is he a friend or foe?
Explain the following line with reference to the context in about 5 to 8 line:
All murdered – for within the hollow crown
That rounds the mortal temples of a king Keeps Death his court, …”
Read the poem once again carefully and identify the figure of speech that has been used in each of the following line from the poem:
“Scoffing his state and grinning at his pomp,…”
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.
How are eternal truths and wisdom brought to the reader here?
