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Question
What has Ulysses gained from his travel experiences?
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Solution
Ulysses has met people hailing from different cultural backgrounds. He has learned much from their manners, climates, councils, and governments. He learned strategies of warfare in battles.
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Introduction
The poem ‘Ulysses’ is a dramatic monologue that contains 70 lines of blank verse. Ulysses, the King of Ithaca, gathers his men together to prepare for the journey and exhorts them not to waste their time left on earth. Ulysses has grown old, having experienced many adventures at the battle of Troy and in the seas. After returning to Ithaca, he desires to embark upon his next voyage. His inquisitive spirit is always looking forward to more and more of such adventures.
Why did Ulysses want to hand over the kingdom to his son?
Identify the figure of speech employed in the following line.
.....the deep Moans round with many voices.
Explain with reference to the context the following line.
I cannot rest from travel: I will drink Life to the lees:
Explain with reference to the context the following line.
....you and I are old;
Old age hath yet his honour and his toil;
Explain with reference to the context the following line.
We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven;
How would the poet’s advice help his son who is at the threshold of the manhood?
How would his being alone help the boy?
The poet says
‘Without rich wanting nothing arrives’ but he condemns ‘the quest of lucre beyond a few easy needs.’ Analyse the difference and write.
Here are a few poetic device used in the poem.
Transferred Epithet- It is a figure of speech in which an epithet grammatically qualifies a noun other than the person or a thing, it is actually meant to describe.
Pick out the alliterated words from the poem and write.
And this might stand him for the storms
Explain how the poet guides his son who is at the threshold of manhood, to face the challenges of life.
Fill in the blanks choosing the words from the box given and complete the summary of the poem.
The poet Robert Browning narrates an incident at the French Camp in the war of 1809 between France and Austria, in a (a)______version. He describes the brave action of a (b)______soldier, whose heroic devotion to duty and his (c) ______ in it is inspiring and worthy of (d) ______. During the attack of the French army on Ratisbon, Napoleon was anxious about the (e) ______. Austrians were defending Ratisbon with great (f) ______and courage. Napoleon was watching the war standing on a (g) ______near the battlefield.
All of a sudden a rider appeared from the closed smoke and dust. Riding at great speed, jumping and leaping, he approached the mound where Napoleon stood. As he came closer, the narrator noticed that the rider, a young boy, was severely wounded. But the rider showed no sign of pain and smiling in joy, jumped off the horse and gave the happy news of (h) ______to the emperor.
He exclaimed with pride that the French had (i) ______Ratisbon and he himself had hoisted the flag of France. When Napoleon heard the news, his plans (j) ______up like fire. His eyes (k) ______when he saw that the soldier was severely wounded. Like a caring mother eagle, the emperor asked if he was wounded. The (l) ______soldier replied proudly that he was killed and died heroically.
| determination | result | dramatic |
| pride | admiration | softened |
| wounded | mound | victory |
| conquered | soared | valiant |
Why was the rider in a hurry?
Why did the rider keep his lips compressed?
Where did the rider plant the French flag after Ratisbon was captured?
What was Napoleon’s reaction on hearing the news of victory?
The young soldier matched his emperor in courage and patriotism. Elucidate your answer.
What is the role of the young soldier in the victory of the French at Ratisbon?
