Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
Explain with reference to the context the following line.
We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven;
Advertisements
Solution
- Reference: These lines are from the poem ‘Ulysses” written by Alfred Tennyson.
- Context and Explanation: The poet says these words through Ulysses when he wants to justify the reasons for resuming the daring voyage. He admits the decline in the compatriots’ physical strength with which they were able to move heaven and earth in their youth. He asks his compatriots to ignore the infinity of age and draw on their inner spiritual strength to resume their voyage beyond sunset.
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
Why were the soldiers in the castle fearless?
What was the ‘shameful act’?
How safe was the castle? How was it conquered?
Bring out the contrasting picture of the castle as depicted in stanzas 3 and 5.
I will maintain until my death
Underline the alliterated word in the following line.
A little wicked wicket gate.
Identify the figure of speech used in the following line.
Our only enemy was gold,
What is the creeper compared to?
How does the creeper appear on the tree?
Why is the casuarina tree dear to poet’s heart?
The casuarina tree will be remembered forever. Why?
Explain the following line with reference to the context.
Unto thy honor, Tree, beloved of those
Who now in blessed sleep for aye repose,
Identify the figure of speech used in each of the extract given below and write down the answer in the space given below.
“ What is that dirge-like murmur that I hear Like the sea breaking on a shingle -beach?
Why is the last stage called second childhood?
Complete the summary of the poem, choosing words from the list given below. Lines 44 to 70
Ulysses beckons his sailors to (1) ______at the port where the ship is ready to sail. His companions who have faced both (2) ______and sunshine with a smile, are united by their undying spirit of adventure. Though death would end everything, Ulysses urges his companions to join him and sail beyond the sunset and seek a newer (3) ______, regardless of consequences. These brave hearts who had once moved (4) ______ and earth, may have grown old and weak physically but their spirit is young and (5) ______. His call is an inspiration for all those who seek true knowledge and strive to lead (6) ______ lives.
| world, thunder, meaningful, gather, undaunted, heaven |
‘Ulysses is not happy to perform his duties as a king.’ Why?
What does he think of the people of his kingdom?
Who does the speaker address in the second part?
Why did Ulysses want to hand over the kingdom to his son?
Identify the figure of speech employed in the following line.
There lies the port the vessel puffs her sail
Read the set of line from the poem and answer the question that follow.
……for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
- What was Ulysses’ purpose in life?
- How long would his venture last?
Read the set of line from the poem and answer the question that follow.
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
- Though made weak by time and fate, the hearts are heroic. Explain.
- Pick out the words in alliteration in the above lines.
Explain with reference to the context the following line.
I am become a name; For always roaming with a hungry heart
What happened to the people who wanted too much money?
Here are a few poetic device used in the poem.
Repetition- It is a figure of speech.
Who took the city of Ratisbon by storm?
Who came galloping on a horse to Napoleon?
What does the phrase ‘full galloping’ suggest?
Literary Devices
Mark the rhyme scheme of the poem. The rhyme scheme for the first stanza is as follows.
| With neck out-thrust, you fancy how, | a |
| Legs wide, arms locked behind, | b |
| As if to balance the prone brow | a |
| Oppressive with its mind. | b |
What is the role of the young soldier in the victory of the French at Ratisbon?
