Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
Read the lines given below and answer the question that follow.
And ‘tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes…
- What is the poet’s faith?
- What trait of Nature do we see here?
Advertisements
Solution
- The poet has faith that nature lives, breathes and enjoys its own presence. Twigs, birds, creepers all live in harmony with each other in absolute bliss and contentment.
- The harmonious relationship of birds, brook, plants, and creepers and willingness to co-exist with one another is the trait evident in nature.
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
Pick out the expressions that indicate conflicting ideas.
Interpret each of the following expression used in the poem, in one or two line.
laugh with their eyes
Explain the following lines with reference to the context.
I want to be what I used to be.
Explain the things the poet has learnt when he grew into an adult.
Do you think the narrator is heroic? Why?
The poet is satisfied just watching the heroic deeds of others. What could be the reason?
According to the poet, what contributes most to the injuries sustained by the athletes?
Explain the following with reference to the context in about 50–60 word each.
Athletes, I’ll drink to you, Or eat with you, Or anything except compete with you…
Underline the alliterated word in the following line.
For this most modest physiques…
You are the School Pupil Leader. Mention some qualities that can be drawn from the field of sports to improve your leadership skills.
The poem speaks of ______.
When humanity fails to live in harmony with Nature, its effects are felt around the world. Why and how?
What is Macavity’s nickname?
Who does the Secret Service suspect when a loss is reported?
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?
Why does the speaker say ‘Everest is not the only peak’?
Read the given line and answer the question that follow.
He, who does not stoop, is a king we adore. We bow before competence and merit;
- Who is adored as a king?
- What is the figure of speech used in the first line?
The poem does not focus on the destination but the journey towards it. Discuss
Work with a partner and take this short quiz to find out how well-informed you are about history.
- Name a few wars and battles you have read about.
- What is the difference between a war and a battle?
- Why do rulers wage wars and battles?
- Is the outcome of a war always fair?
- Do you think rulers understand the true meaning of life – in defeat or in victory?
- Can you name a few kings and leaders who have fallen from glory to disgrace?
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.
What do the three words, ‘graves, worms and epitaphs’, refer to?
Are all deposed kings slain by the deposer?
What does the crown of rulers stand for?
Bring out King Richard’s feelings when he was defeated.
Explain the following line with reference to the context in about 5 to 8 line:
“Our lands, our lives, and all are Bolingbroke’s,
And nothing can we call our own but death;”
Explain the following line with reference to the context in about 5 to 8 line:
“How can you say to me, I am a king?”
Working with your partner, discuss the following adages and share your views with the class. You may need to give your ideas and justify your point of view. Remember to take turns while making your presentation/short speech.
War begets war
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,…”
