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XII Poems
SEVEN AGES OF MAN
Q1. What does William Shakespeare call this world? / What is the philosophy of life as
described by William Shakespeare in "Seven Ages of Man?
Ans: William Shakespeare calls this world a stage where all men and women are like players or
actors and their lives are their performances on this stage. Their births and deaths are their
entrances and exits from the stage. They play seven different roles during their stay on the
stage.
Q2. Write about first, second and third stage of man's life.
Ans: In the first stage of man's life, he performs the role of an infant who is always crying and
completely dependent upon others for his needs.
In the second stage of man's life, he performs the role of a school boy with a bright face
who goes to school at a snail's pace with a satchel hanging on his shoulders.
In the third stage of man's life, he performs the role of a lover who is full of romantic
thoughts. He composes poetry for his beloved and sighs with sadness if his feelings are
not reciprocated.
Q3. Write about 4th, 5th and 6th stage of man's life.
Ans: In the fourth stage of man's life, he performs the role of a soldier who is as brave as a
leopard and faces every danger for the sake of glory of his country. At this point of time, he
is very jealous in the matters of honour and respect and wishes for his immediate fame.
In the fifth stage of man's life, he performs the role of a judge with a bulging and corpulent
belly. He knows many wise sayings and modern instances.
In the sixth stage of man's life, he becomes old and thin and looks like a clown with
spectacles placed carelessly on his nose and slippers on his feet. On his shoulders, there
hangs a bag. The trousers that he used to wear in his youth becomes too wide for him now.
Q4. Explain the last stage of man's life
Ans: William Shakespeare calls the last stage of man's life "second childishness" because of its
resemblance with the first stage. He becomes dependent upon others for his every need.
Like a newborn baby, he has neither teeth nor taste. Like a child, he is unable to
understand the common happenings of everyday life. At this point of time, his eyesight
becomes terribly weak and he is unable to see what goes on in the world around him. This
stage portrays a very pathetic picture of a man.
THE MAN OF LIFE UPRIGHT
Q1. What are the characteristics of Campion's upright man? / What are the significant
qualities of a 'Man of Life Upright' according to Thomas Campion?
Ans: According to Thomas Campion, an upright man has the following significant characteristics:
1. An upright man's heart is free from evil intentions.
2. He does not harm others even in times of happiness. His joys are harmless for others.
3. He does not keep unnecessary hopes and expectations with people, hence no sorrow
makes him discontent.
4. He does not run after worldly wealth such as big towers and luxury bungalows.
5. He neither needs armours nor secret vaults for safety as he does not have any enemy.
6. He remains calm, peaceful, serious and unafraid. He has no fear of natural disasters
because he knows that his life is a sacred trust.
7. He accepts the challenges of his fate. Whatever the problems his fortune brings for him,
Sir Owais Mehboob (M.A English)
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Bahrian Grade School, Street # 03, F-Road (Masjid Road) Bihar Colony Karachi: 0322-2727888, 0213-2525888
he tackles them boldly and courageously.
8. He recites the Holy book which increases his knowledge and wisdom.
9. He always keeps good thoughts in his mind and stays away from bad thoughts.
10. His wealth is his well-spent age. He leads a pious life and earns virtues which will be his
real wealth on the day of judgement.
11. He considers this world an inn. He knows that it is a temporary place from which
everybody has to depart. Hence, he spends his life by doing good deeds as if he were on
a holy journey.
Q2. What makes the Campion's man bold and courageous?
Ans: According to Thomas Campion, an upright man can behold the “horrors of the deep” and
“terrors of the Skies” with unfrighten eyes. His lack of fear makes him bold and courageous.
He has no fear from anything or anyone.
LINES FROM ENDYMION
Q1. What examples did John Keats give in the poem 'Endymion'? / What things of beauty
did Keats find most inspiring? / What are the different shapes or forms of beauty that
give joy according to John Keats?
Ans: John Keats is of the view that beautiful things act as a flowery band which binds us with this
miserable world even though it is full of despondence, sufferings and worries. The poet
gave some examples of the most-inspiring shapes or forms of beauty such as the sun, the
moon, shady trees, flowing streams, mid-forest bushes, the fragrance of musk-roses and
the stories of great martyrs.
Q2, What is the theme/central idea of the poem 'Lines from Endymion'?
Ans: The poem 'Lines from Endymion' tells us that a thing of beauty is a permanent source of joy
and pleasure. Once a beautiful thing is seen and enjoyed, it remains preserved in the
memory. Its loveliness increases with the passage of time. Beautiful things act as a flowery
band which binds us with this miserable world even though it is full of despondence,
sufferings and worries.
LINES FROM ULYSSES
Q1. Who was Ulysses?
Ans: Ulysses was a king of Ithaca, a Greek Island. He was a very brave, courageous and
adventurous sailor who had been to many parts of the world and had fought many battles.
Q2. Explain the following words of Ulysses:
Made weak by time and fate but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.
Ans: In these lines, Ulysses admits the harsh reality of his growing age but he also gives the
message that they are not disappointed. He admits that time and fate have made them
weak and aged but their will is still strong enough to start another great voyage. He urges
his mariners to join him for discovering a new world before their deaths. He further advises
them not to give up.
Q3. How does Ulysses inspire his sailors to embark on a new journey? / How does
Ulysses inspire his mariners to accompany him to the new adventure?
Ans: Ulysses inspires his mariners to embark on a new journey by reminding them of their past
struggle and victories. He tells them that time and fate have made them physically weak
and aged but their spirit is still strong enough to start another great voyage. He urges his
mariners to join him for discovering a new world before their deaths. He further advises
them not to give up.
Sir Owais Mehboob (M.A English)
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Bahrian Grade School, Street # 03, F-Road (Masjid Road) Bihar Colony Karachi: 0322-2727888, 0213-2525888
Q4. What message did Ulysses give to his sailors/companions?
Ans: Ulysses gave the message of courage to his sailors. He tells them that time and fate have
made them physically weak and aged but their spirit is still strong enough to start another
great voyage. He urges his mariners to join him for discovering a new world before their
deaths. He further advises them not to give up.
Q5. What moral does the poem 'Ulysses' teach? / What is the message of the poem 'Lines
from Ulysses'?
Ans: The poem 'Ulysses' teaches us the lesson of courage and struggle. It emphasizes on
continuing the struggle courageously and bravely. It goes without saying that old age
snatches one's strength but nothing can demolish one's spirit and will.
Lines from an Essay on Man
Q1. What are the two gifts given to man by God as described by Alexander Pope in the
poem 'An Essay on Man'? / 'Ignorance of the future and hope are two great
blessings.' Explain with reference to the poem 'An Essay on Man'.
Ans: According to Alexander Pope, the two precious gifts which have been granted upon man by
God are 'hidden book of fate' and 'hope'. God has kept the future hidden from us so that we
could stay unaware of our future problems. In this way, our present state remains free from
future problems and we lead a carefree and peaceful life in the present. Hope is also a
great blessing. In difficult times, the hope of good time makes a person alive.
Q2. Why has God kept the future hidden from all His creatures?
Ans: In every act of God, there's a favour for the creature. He has kept the future hidden from all
His creatures so that we could stay unaware of our future problems. In this way, our present
state remains free from future problems and we lead a carefree and peaceful life.
Q3. Why does Alexander Pope call death a great teacher?
Ans: Alexander Pope calls 'death' a great teacher as it reminds us of our mortality. It separates
us from the temporary worldly life and takes us to the eternal life of hereafter in which we
will be given either rewards for our good deeds or punishments for the bad deeds. Hence, it
teaches us to perform good deeds for the attainment of God's pleasure and hereafter
rewards. It also teaches us to stay humble and pious so that we may be safe from any kind
of torment or embarrassment in the life of hereafter.
Q4. What message do we get from the poem 'An Essay on Man'?
Ans: The poem 'An Essay on Man' gives us the message of staying hopeful as man is never
satisfied with his present position. He always hopes and strives to be in a better position.
This poem also tells us about the hidden book of fate which is also a great blessing of God
that God has kept the future hidden from all His creatures so that we could stay unaware of
our future problems. In this way, our present state remains free from future problems and
we lead a carefree and peaceful life.
Q5. Why does the soul feel uneasy?
Ans: In the poet's view, the soul feels uneasy in this world because it has come from the Heaven
which is its real home. Here, it is confined in the prison of human body and wants to go
back to its real home. It finds its freedom after death when it releases out of the human
body and freely goes back to its real home.
Q6. Why does the poet give the example of the lamb and what does he want to prove?
A: By giving the example of the lamb the poet wants to prove that man is also like the lamb as
the lamb does not know that its master would shed its blood with the same hand with which
he feeds it. In the same way, man does not know about his future either. He is totally blind
about it. Thus, man is just as ignorant as the lamb. This is an act of favour from God.
Sir Owais Mehboob (M.A English)
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Bahrian Grade School, Street # 03, F-Road (Masjid Road) Bihar Colony Karachi: 0322-2727888, 0213-2525888
Lines from Samson Agonistes
Q1. Who was Samson? Why was he captured by philistines?
Ans: Samson was a man of great strength who helped his people from the cruelties of
Philistines. He was captured through the treachery and disloyalty of his wife.
Q2. What do you know about Samson supernatural powers?
Ans: Samson had immense strength. He was blessed with supernatural powers. All his power
was due to his long hair. That's why, he became weak after his hair was cut by his disloyal
wife, Delilah.
Q3. What does Samson plan while performing for the philistine leaders?
Ans: While displaying feats of strengths, Samson was making different plans and some great
matters were revolving in his mind as to how to kill Philitines who had gathered under the
roof of the temple and when he was tied between the two massy pillars, he executed his
plan by pulling down the pillars.
Q4. What request did Samson make to his guide and why?
Ans: Samson requested his guide to let him lean a while as he was very tired. He had been
displaying his immense strength through different stunts. When he became overtired, he
asked for rest.
Q5. Who were assembled at the temple in 'Samson Agonistes' and how did destruction
fall upon them?
Ans: Having captured Samosn, the Philistines arranged a grand feast in a temple. Samson was
brought in the front so that he could display his immense strength through different stunts.
While displaying feats of strengths, Samson was making different plans and some great
matters were revolving in his mind as to how to kill Philitines who had gathered under the
roof of the temple and when he was tied between the two massy pillars, he executed his
plan by pulling down the pillars. The building fell down and the Philistines were killed. In this
way, the destruction fell upon them.
Q6. How did Samson take revenge from the Philistines - the deadly enemies of his race? /
How did Samson destroy Philistine's leaders? / How did Samson show his strength
in 'Lines from Samson Agonistes'? / What did Samson do with the enemies of his
race? / Give an account of the courage and bravery displayed by Samson to kill the
philistines.
Ans: Samson, through his immense strength, brought down two massy pillars of the temple
which were giving main support to its roof. In this way, he destroyed all Philistines and took
his revenge from the enemies of his race. He not only killed them but also sacrificed his
own life for the sake of his people.
Q7. What message is conveyed in the poem 'Lines from Samson Agonistes'?
Ans: The message of sacrificing one's own life for the sake of nation has been given in the poem
'Lines from Samson Agonistes'. The poem teaches us that a graceful death is better than
the life of disgrace. We also learn that death is better than slavery.
The LOST STAR
Q1. What is the theme of Ghulam Ali Allana's poem 'The Lost Star'?
Ans: The poem "The Lost Star" gives us a lesson that the man without God is spiritually dead.
Ghulam Ali Allana tells us about the dignity and greatness of our ancestors. He also tells us
about our downfall in the present age. Our forefathers had done great jobs and they
deserved the title of being superior to the rest of the world. They had the fear of God and
the world was a minor thing for them. But now, we have become like an unimportant atom
and have lost our brightness because of not obeying the commandments of Almighty Allah.
Sir Owais Mehboob (M.A English)
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Our lives have become meaningless and insignificant. The reason behind our downfall is
continuous disobedience of Allah and the great attraction towards this materialistic world
MUSIC WHEN SOFT VOICES DIE
Q1. How does Shelly convey the idea that true never dies in his poem Music 'When Soft
Voices Die'?
OR
What examples were given by Shelly in his poem 'When Soft Voices Die'?
Ans: According to Shelly, true love never dies. To illustrate this point, he presented three
examples:
(i) Sweet music remains in our memory even after it is stopped. Similarly, the memories of
his beloved will remain in his mind even after her physical departure.
(ii) Violets, even after getting withered, give fragrance. In the same way, the poet's
beloved has passed away, but her fragrant memories are still alive in his mind.
(iii) Roses, even after their death, can be used for decorations. Their importance does not
decrease just because they have died. Through this lovely example, the poet illustrates
that his beloved's physical existence is no more, yet her importance cannot be
decreased.
Q2. What is the central idea/theme of the poem 'When Soft Voices Die'? OR
What does Shelly want to say in the poem 'When Soft Voices Die'?
Ans: Percy Bysshe Shelly tells us that true love never dies. The fire of true love can never be
extinguished. We cannot forget our beloved ones even after their physical departure,
because they remain alive forever in our memories and imagination.
Q3. Explain the following lines.
And so thy thoughts
When thou art gone
Love itself shall slumber on
Ans: These are the ending lines of Shelly's beautiful poem "Music When Soft Voices Die'". After
presenting three lovely examples, Shelly is now addressing his beloved and assuring her
that he will continue to love her and the fire of love between them can never be
extinguished because her thoughts are dominated in his mind even after her physical
departure.
SAY NOT THE STRUGGLE NAUGHT AVAILETH
Q1. What is the central idea/theme/message of the poem 'Say Not the Struggle Naught
Availeth'?
Ans: Arthur Hugh Clough, through his poem, taught us that it is a mistake to think that human
struggle goes wasted. It always bears fruit. A person should make continuous efforts with a
hope that he will succeed in achieving his aim sooner or later.
Q2. What examples were given by Arthur Hugh Clough in the poem 'Say Not the Struggle
Naught Availeth'?
Ans: Following examples were presented by Arthur Hugh Clough is his poem "Say Not the
Struggle Naught Availeth":
(i) The first example is that of a battlefield. Sometimes, it so happens that a section of the
army gets beyond the smoke of the guns and wins the field by chasing the enemy,
while their companions fear that they have been killed. Sometimes, our fear are liars
and baseless. We should always be optimistic.
(ii) The second example is that of tired waves which seem to be uselessly colliding against
Sir Owais Mehboob (M.A English)
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the shore but actually, they create creeks and inlets in the land through which water
enters the land. Their ceaseless struggle is not useless.
(iii) The third example is that of sunrise. Although the sun rises in the east. it is not only
through the eastern windows that the sunlight comes in. If we notice, we find that when
the sun climbs high, its light spreads in all directions and it enters our rooms even from
the western sides. In the same manner, if we remain persistent like a sun, our success
will brighten our personality.
THE SOLITARY REAPER
Q1. Who was the solitary reaper? What was she doing in the cultivation field?
Ans: The solitary reaper was a maiden girl from the Hebrides of Scotland. She wassinging a
song in her enchanting and melodious voice while cutting the crops in the field.
Q2. Why did William Wordsworth compare the song of the solitary reaper with the song
of musical birds?
Ans: Nightingale and Cuckoo bird are known for their melodious and enchanting voices.
Nightingale sings in the Arabian Desert and entertains the weary caravans. The other bird,
Cuckoo sings in the spring season. William Wordsworth compared the voice of the solitary
reaper with the voice of the two musical birds in order to tell us about that girl's lovely voice.
According to the poet, her voice was more attractive than the voices of musical birds.
Q3. Describe the incident that inspired Wordsworth to write "The Solitary Reaper". /
Mention the things that led Wordsworth to write "The Solitary Reaper”.
Ans: William Wordsworth was passing from a beautiful valley in the Hebrides of Scotland. All of a
sudden, he happened to see a girl who was singing a song in her enchanting and lovely
voice. Her melodious singing inspired Wordsworth to write the poem "The Solitary Reaper".
Q4. Why was the poet unable to understand the theme of the reaper's song?
Ans: William Wordsworth was unable to understand the theme of the reaper's song because the
girl was singing in Gaelic, a Celtic language with which he was not familiar.
Q5. What does Wordsworth guess about the theme of the girl's song in the poem "The
Solitary Reaper"?
Ans: William Wordsworth was not sure of the actual theme due to being unfamiliar with the
reaper's language. According to him, she was perhaps singing a song in the memory of
some unfortunate event related to past or of some battles fought long ago. It may be that
her theme deals with ordinary happenings of the present. He further guessed that she may
be thinking of any grief or pain which she would suffer in the future.
Q6. Explain the following lines.
The music in my heart I bore
Long after it was heard no more
Ans: William Wordsworth listened to the reaper's song motionlessly. When it seemed to him that
the song might never end. He preserved its music in his heart and started climbing the hill
and then the song became inaudible. After some time, when he recalls the memory of that
beautiful experience, he ended up saying that he had never heard such a melodious voice
as the solitary reaper had.
Sir Owais Mehboob (M.A English)
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