1. Explain the following passages with reference to the context. 10x4=40
“Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more.
By Sinel’s death I know I am Thane of Glamis;
But how of Cawdor? The Thane of Cawdor lives,
A prosperous gentleman; and to be king stands not within the prospect of belief,
No more than to be Cawdor. Say from whence
You owe this strange intelligence? Or why
Upon this blasted heath you stop our way
With such prophetic greeting.”
Answer:
This passage is from William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. In this scene, Macbeth has encountered three witches on a heath who prophesy that he will become the Thane of Cawdor and then the King of Scotland. Macbeth is initially skeptical of their prophesy and asks them to explain more about it. He knows that he is already the Thane of Glamis because of the death of Sinel, but he questions how he can become the Thane of Cawdor since the current Thane of Cawdor is alive and well. Macbeth cannot believe that he could become king, as it seems impossible to him. He wants to know where the witches got this information and why they are sharing this prophetic greeting with him on the heath. The passage highlights Macbeth's initial disbelief in the witches' prophecy and his rational mind trying to make sense of the situation.
“Is this a dagger which I see before me,
The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee: -
I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.
Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible
To feeling as to sight? Or art thou but
A dagger of the mind? A false creation,
Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?”
Answer:
This passage is from Shakespeare's play "Macbeth" and is spoken by Macbeth himself. In this passage, Macbeth is alone in his chamber, just before he murders King Duncan. He sees a vision of a dagger in front of him, which he can see but cannot touch. He questions whether the dagger is real or just a figment of his imagination, created by the "heat-oppressed brain." This passage is significant because it reveals the state of Macbeth's mind before he commits the murder. It shows his inner turmoil and how his guilt and fear are causing him to hallucinate. The passage also introduces the idea of the supernatural in the play and raises questions about the nature of reality and illusion.
“How strange it is to be talked to in such a way! You know, I’ve
always gone on like that.
I mean the noble attitude and the thrilling
voice. I did it when I was a tiny child to my nurse. She believed
in it. I do it before my parents. They believe in it.”
Answer:
This passage is from the play "Pygmalion" by George Bernard Shaw. In this scene, Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl who has been taken in by Professor Henry Higgins, is reflecting on the strange transformation she has undergone as a result of his speech and etiquette lessons. She comments on how peculiar it is to be spoken to in a proper, educated manner, as it is a new experience for her. She then reflects on how she has always affected a "noble attitude" and "thrilling voice" when speaking to her nurse and parents, as they believed in it. This passage highlights the power of language and social norms, as well as the ability of individuals to adopt new identities and personas through language and speech.
“The old order changeth, yielding place to new,
And God fulfils himself in many ways,
Lest one good custom should corrupt the world.
Comfort thyself: what comfort is in me?
I have lived my life, and that which I have done
May He within himself make pure!”
Answer:
The passage is from Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem "The Passing of Arthur". King Arthur is speaking to Sir Bedivere, his faithful knight, after the final battle. Arthur is mortally wounded, and he knows that his time is coming to an end. He reflects on his life and the things he has done, hoping that God will make them pure. He also talks about the changing world and the importance of letting go of old traditions to make way for the new.
BEGC 132 Solved AssignmentSection B
2. Write short notes on the following: 5x4=20
Thomas Hardy and the fictional region of Wessex.
Answer:
Thomas Hardy and the fictional region of Wessex: Thomas Hardy was an English novelist and poet who created the fictional region of Wessex in his novels. Wessex was a region in England that roughly corresponds to the present-day counties of Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, and Devon. Hardy's novels were largely set in this region, and he drew on his experiences growing up in rural Dorset for his depictions of the landscape and people of Wessex.
Hardy’s classification of his own novels.
Answer:
Hardy's classification of his own novels: Thomas Hardy classified his own novels into two categories - the Novels of Character and Environment, and the Novels of Ingenuity. Novels of Character and Environment, including works such as Far from the Madding Crowd and Tess of the d'Urbervilles, are concerned with the lives of ordinary people in rural England, and explore the impact of social and economic change on their lives. Novels of Ingenuity, including works such as The Return of the Native and The Mayor of Casterbridge, are more experimental in their structure and explore the workings of fate and chance.
The ‘Porter Scene’ in Macbeth.
Answer:
The 'Porter Scene' in Macbeth: The Porter Scene in Macbeth is a comic interlude that takes place after the murder of King Duncan. The Porter, a minor character, provides some light relief from the tension of the previous scene by making bawdy jokes and puns. The scene also serves to contrast the atmosphere of the castle before and after the murder, highlighting the sense of chaos and disorder that has been unleashed.
Tennyson as a representative poet of Victorian England.
Answer:
Tennyson as a representative poet of Victorian England: Alfred Lord Tennyson was a poet who came to prominence during the Victorian era. He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1850, a position he held until his death in 1892. Tennyson's poetry reflected the concerns and values of Victorian England, with many of his works exploring themes such as duty, loyalty, and the role of the individual in society. His most famous works include In Memoriam A.H.H., a meditation on the death of his close friend, and The Charge of the Light Brigade, a tribute to the bravery of British soldiers in the Crimean War.
3. Write short essays on the following: 10x2=20
Justify the title of Bernard Shaw’s play Arms and the Man.
Answer:
Bernard Shaw's play Arms and the Man is a satirical comedy that was first performed in 1894. The title of the play is drawn from the opening lines of the epic poem "The Aeneid" by Virgil: "Arma virumque cano" (I sing of arms and the man). Shaw's play is a critique of the romanticised view of war prevalent in Victorian society, and the title reflects this theme.
The play is set during the 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian War, and tells the story of a young Bulgarian soldier, Bluntschli, who deserts his army and seeks refuge in the home of Raina Petkoff, a young woman from a wealthy Bulgarian family. Raina, who is engaged to marry a young Bulgarian officer named Sergius Saranoff, is initially captivated by Bluntschli's heroic demeanour and his military uniform. However, as the play progresses, she begins to see the reality of war and the contrast between the romantic ideals and the harsh realities of warfare.
The title Arms and the Man is significant because it highlights the contrast between the idealised notions of war and the reality of it. Through the character of Bluntschli, who is more interested in practical matters such as food and rest than in the romanticised view of war, Shaw exposes the absurdity of the glorification of warfare. The title also emphasises the central theme of the play, which is the conflict between romanticism and realism.
Overall, the title of Arms and the Man is aptly chosen and accurately reflects the play's theme and message. It highlights the contrast between the idealised view of war and the reality of it, and emphasises the central theme of the play, which is the conflict between romanticism and realism.
Explain the significance of the symbols employed in ‘Morte d’Arthur’.
Answer:
Morte d'Arthur" is a poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson that tells the story of the legendary King Arthur and his knights. The poem is filled with symbols and imagery that convey deeper meaning and add to the richness of the narrative. Some of the significant symbols employed in the poem are discussed below:
The Sword Excalibur: The sword Excalibur is one of the most important symbols in the poem. It is a symbol of power and is closely associated with Arthur's kingship. The sword is also a symbol of the supernatural, as it is said to have been forged by the Lady of the Lake and possesses magical properties.
The Round Table: The Round Table is a symbol of unity and equality among the knights. It represents Arthur's vision of a just and egalitarian society, in which all knights are equal and there is no hierarchy. The Round Table is also a symbol of the knightly virtues of courage, honor, and loyalty.
The Quest for the Holy Grail: The Holy Grail is a powerful symbol of spiritual and moral purity. The quest for the Holy Grail is a journey towards self-discovery and enlightenment, and the knights who embark on this quest are seeking to find the true meaning of life.
The Siege Perilous: The Siege Perilous is an empty seat at the Round Table that can only be occupied by the purest and most virtuous of knights. It is a symbol of the importance of moral purity and the consequences of moral corruption.
The Lady of Shalott: The Lady of Shalott is a symbol of artistic creativity and the dangers of isolation. She is a tragic figure who is consumed by her desire to create art and is unable to fully experience the world around her.
Section C
4. Discuss Hardy’s approach to the natural world, as expressed in Far from the Madding Crowd. 20
Answer:
Thomas Hardy is renowned for his intricate portrayal of the natural world and its impact on human life. In his novel 'Far from the Madding Crowd', Hardy's approach to nature is closely tied to the themes of the novel. He portrays nature as a dynamic and ever-changing force that plays a crucial role in shaping the lives of his characters.
The novel is set in rural Wessex and depicts the life of Bathsheba Everdene, a young woman who inherits her uncle's farm. Hardy's portrayal of the landscape and the changing seasons is central to the novel's plot and themes. He describes the beauty of the landscape in vivid detail and uses it to explore the themes of love, passion, and social class.
One of the key aspects of Hardy's approach to the natural world in 'Far from the Madding Crowd' is his emphasis on the cyclical nature of life. He describes the changing of the seasons in great detail, showing how the natural world is in a constant state of flux. For example, he describes the arrival of spring as a time of renewal and rebirth, and the changing colours of autumn as a sign of the approaching winter.
Another important aspect of Hardy's approach to nature is his use of symbolism. For example, he uses the oak tree as a symbol of strength and endurance, while the willow tree symbolises sorrow and mourning. He also uses animals, such as the sheep and the dog, to explore the themes of loyalty and obedience.
Overall, Hardy's approach to the natural world in 'Far from the Madding Crowd' is closely tied to the novel's themes and serves to enhance our understanding of the characters and their experiences. Through his vivid descriptions and use of symbolism, Hardy portrays nature as a powerful force that is both beautiful and unpredictable, and one that has a profound impact on the lives of his characters.
