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Question
Napoleon was a great source of inspiration to his army. Justify.
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Solution
The poem “Incident of the French Camp’ by Robert Browning’ narrates an actual incident in the war in 1809 between France and Austria, led by Napoleon. In this poem, the poet brings out the clear vision that Napoleon was a great source of inspiration to his army through many incidents. During the attack of the French army at Ratisbon, Napoleon was defending Ratisbon with determination. He was standing on a mound near the battlefield because he eagerly wanted to know the result of the war.
He had his neck out-thrust with legs wide and arms locked behind. It shows that he was standing majestically. Outwardly he did not reveal any sign of worry or tension. Undoubtedly, we came to know that Napoleon was a great inspiration to his army, when even a young soldier who was not in the army, worked for the country. A young French soldier got inspiration from Napoleon. He participates in a dangerous battle.
Even though he is mortally wounded, he rides his horse at a fast gallop back to the emperor to report that the battle has been won. As a king, Napoleon heard the news his plans soared up like fire. Suddenly, he became like a caring mother eagle, when he saw that the young soldier was severely wounded, He asked if he was wounded. We will surely admire the action and feelings of Napoleon who acts as a perfect king, caring and affectionate person, brave leader, etc. These all make others get inspiration from him. No doubt he was a great source of inspiration to his army and his people too.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
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- “And all the men and women merely players”
- “And shining morning face, creeping like snail”
- “Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,”
- “Seeking the bubble reputation”
- “His youthful hose, well sav’d, a world too wide”
- “and his big manly voice, turning again toward childish treble”
Pick out the word in ‘alliteration’ in the following line.
“And one man in his time plays many parts”
Pick out the word in ‘alliteration’ in the following line.
“Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel.”
Read the given line and answer the question that follow.
And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lin'd,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
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- Describe his appearance.
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Complete the table based on your understanding of the poem.
| Stage | Characteristic |
| crying | |
| judge | |
| soldier | |
| unhappy | |
| second childhood | |
| whining | |
| old man |
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Tell him time as a stuff can be wasted.
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And this might stand him for the storms
Why did the rider keep his lips compressed?
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 |
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Then off there flung in smiling joy, And held himself erect
