Section -A

Q1. Explain any two of the excerpts of poems given below with reference to
their context:
(i) Now, sire”, quod she, “When we flee fro the bemes For Goddess love, as
taak som laxative. Up peril of my soule and o lif, I counseille yow the beeste, I
wol nat lye,
(i) "Now, sire,” quod she, “When we flee fro the bemes..."
Reference and Context:
This excerpt is from Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, specifically The
Nun’s Priest’s Tale. The tale is a mock-heroic fable about a rooster named
Chauntecleer, who is deceived by a fox due to his own pride. In these lines,
Chauntecleer’s wife, Pertelote, advises him after he recounts a troubling dream
about being attacked by a predator.
Explanation:
Pertelote dismisses the significance of dreams and attributes Chauntecleer’s
nightmare to indigestion. She urges him to take a laxative, assuring him that it
will cleanse his system and ease his mind. Her pragmatic, almost dismissive
approach to dreams contrasts with Chauntecleer’s belief in their prophetic
nature. This passage highlights the theme of reason versus superstition and adds
humor to the tale by presenting an absurdly medical response to a deeper
psychological fear. Pertelote’s advice ultimately proves misguided, as
Chauntecleer’s dream foreshadows his near capture by the fox.

(ii) My loue is now awake out of her dreams (s), and her fayre eyes like stars
that dimmed were With darksome cloud, now shew theyr goodly beams More
bright then Hesperus his head doth rere.
(ii) "My love is now awake out of her dreams..."
Reference and Context:
This excerpt is from Amoretti, a sonnet sequence by Edmund Spenser. The
Amoretti sonnets celebrate Spenser’s courtship of his future wife, Elizabeth
Boyle. This particular passage expresses the poet’s admiration for his beloved’s
beauty as she wakes from sleep.
Explanation:
Spenser uses celestial imagery to describe his love’s awakening. Her eyes,
compared to stars previously dimmed by darkness, now shine more brightly
than Hesperus (the evening star, often associated with Venus). The imagery
reinforces her radiant beauty and purity, portraying her as a divine, almost
ethereal presence. This excerpt reflects the Renaissance ideal of courtly love,
where the beloved is revered as a source of light and inspiration. The contrast
between sleep (darkness) and wakefulness (light) also symbolizes emotional
and spiritual enlightenment, as if her mere presence illuminates the poet’s
world.

Q2. Highlight the salient features of Romanticism with illustrations from the
poems prescribed for study.
Salient Features of Romanticism with Illustrations from Prescribed Poems
Romanticism, which emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, was a
literary movement that emphasized emotion, nature, individualism, imagination,
and a rebellion against the rationalism of the Enlightenment. Romantic poetry is
characterized by a deep appreciation of the natural world, an emphasis on
personal experience, and an interest in the mystical and supernatural. Below are
the key features of Romanticism, illustrated with examples from prescribed
poems.
1. Love for Nature
Romantic poets viewed nature as a source of inspiration, beauty, and spiritual
renewal. Unlike the neoclassical poets, who emphasized human reason,
Romantics saw nature as a living force that reflected human emotions.
 Example: William Wordsworth’s "Tintern Abbey"
In Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, Wordsworth
describes nature as a source of peace and wisdom:
"Nature never did betray the heart that loved her."
Here, nature is depicted as a guiding force, providing comfort and moral
insight.
 Example: John Keats’s "Ode to a Nightingale"
Keats finds solace in the song of the nightingale, contrasting the bird’s
eternal beauty with human suffering:
"Thou wast not born for death, immortal Bird!"
The nightingale symbolizes nature’s timeless beauty and the poet’s
longing for an escape from human sorrow.
2. Emphasis on Emotion and Imagination
Romantic poets celebrated intense emotions and personal experiences, believing
that feelings were more important than reason. They valued imagination as a
means of transcending reality.
 Example: Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s "Kubla Khan"
Coleridge’s dreamlike poem is an imaginative vision of an exotic,
mystical landscape:
"A stately pleasure-dome decree, Where Alph, the sacred river, ran."
The poem highlights the Romantic fascination with creativity, the
subconscious mind, and the supernatural.
 Example: Percy Bysshe Shelley’s "Ode to the West Wind"
Shelley invokes the wind as a force of transformation and revolution,
reflecting his passionate political ideals:
"O wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn’s being!"
The poet expresses a deep emotional connection with the elements,
seeing the wind as both a destroyer and preserver.
3. Focus on the Individual and Subjectivity
Romantic poetry often explores the poet’s inner thoughts, emotions, and
personal experiences, valuing individual intuition over societal norms.
 Example: William Wordsworth’s "The Prelude"
Wordsworth’s autobiographical poem reflects on his personal growth
through interactions with nature:
"The child is father of the man."
This line emphasizes how early experiences shape one’s identity, a key
Romantic idea.
 Example: Lord Byron’s "Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage"
Byron’s protagonist is a solitary wanderer, embodying the Byronic hero
—rebellious, melancholic, and deeply introspective:
"I love not Man the less, but Nature more."
The poem reflects the Romantic emphasis on personal freedom and the
alienation of the individual.
4. Fascination with the Supernatural and the Mysterious
Romantics were drawn to the mystical, the gothic, and the supernatural as a way
to explore human emotions and the unknown.
  Example: Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s "The Rime of the Ancient
Mariner"
The mariner’s encounter with supernatural forces at sea illustrates guilt,
redemption, and the unknown:
"Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink."
The eerie setting and mysterious elements heighten the poem’s sense of
wonder and horror.
 Example: John Keats’s "La Belle Dame Sans Merci"
This ballad tells the story of a knight bewitched by a mysterious,
supernatural woman:
"She took me to her Elfin grot, And there she wept, and sighed full sore."
The poem explores themes of enchantment, illusion, and the fleeting
nature of beauty.
5. Interest in the Past and Folk Traditions
Romantics often looked to medieval legends, myths, and folk traditions as
sources of inspiration, rejecting the rigid classical forms of the past.
 Example: Sir Walter Scott’s "The Lay of the Last Minstrel"
Scott revives medieval storytelling through historical themes and a
rhythmic ballad style.
 Example: John Keats’s "Ode on a Grecian Urn"
Keats reflects on the eternal beauty of classical art:
"Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter."
The poem connects ancient artistic traditions with Romantic ideals of
beauty and imagination.
Conclusion
Romantic poetry is characterized by a love of nature, deep emotions,
imagination, individualism, and fascination with the supernatural and the past.
Poets like Wordsworth, Keats, Coleridge, Shelley, and Byron used these themes
to challenge conventional norms and celebrate the power of human creativity.
Their works continue to influence literature by inspiring a sense of wonder,
passion, and connection with nature.

Q3. Attempt a comparison between the Epithalamion and the Prothalamion as

wedding songs.
Comparison of Epithalamion and Prothalamion as Wedding Songs
Edmund Spenser’s Epithalamion and Prothalamion are two of the most
celebrated wedding poems in English literature. Both are formal nuptial songs
that reflect themes of love, celebration, and marital harmony, but they differ in
tone, purpose, and structure.

1. Purpose and Occasion

 Epithalamion is a personal wedding song written to celebrate Spenser’s
own marriage to Elizabeth Boyle in 1594. It follows the structure of a
traditional epithalamium, a classical poem sung in praise of the bride and
groom on their wedding day.
 Prothalamion, on the other hand, is a more public and political wedding
song, written in honor of the double wedding of the daughters of the Earl
of Worcester. The term prothalamium (meaning "before the wedding")
suggests a song of anticipation rather than direct celebration.

2. Tone and Mood

 Epithalamion is deeply personal and passionate, reflecting the poet’s joy
and anticipation for his marriage. The mood progresses from excitement
in the early morning to fulfillment and satisfaction at night. The poem is
full of prayers for happiness, prosperity, and fertility.
 Prothalamion has a more reflective and restrained tone. It is not just a
wedding song but also a poem of political praise and social harmony. The
mood remains calm and dignified, with nature playing a significant role
in setting a peaceful atmosphere.

3. Structure and Style

 Epithalamion consists of 24 stanzas, symbolizing the 24 hours of the
wedding day. The poem moves from morning preparations to the wedding
ceremony and ends with the consummation of the marriage at night. The
structure mirrors the passage of time, blending nature’s beauty with
human emotions.
 Prothalamion is shorter and more formal, consisting of 10 stanzas, each
ending with the refrain "Sweet Thames, run softly, till I end my song."
This refrain gives the poem a musical and processional quality, making it
suitable for the bridal occasion.
4. Role of Nature
Both poems use nature imagery to enhance the theme of love and harmony.
 In Epithalamion, nature participates in the joy of the wedding. Birds
sing, nymphs and muses attend, and the sun watches over the couple’s
happiness. The poem reflects the union of human love with divine and
natural blessings.
 In Prothalamion, the Thames River plays a central role, symbolizing
purity, continuity, and a peaceful setting for the wedding. The swans on
the river represent grace and beauty, enhancing the poem’s elegance.

5. Themes and Symbolism

 Epithalamion explores themes of love, fertility, and divine blessing. The
poet invokes gods and celestial bodies to witness and sanctify his
marriage. There is also a sensual undertone in the latter part of the poem,
reflecting Spenser’s personal happiness.
 Prothalamion emphasizes themes of political harmony and noble
lineage. While it celebrates love, it also serves as a praise poem for
aristocratic unity, using the weddings as a symbol of national stability.

6. Personal vs. Public Focus

 Epithalamion is deeply intimate, written from the perspective of the
groom expressing his hopes and desires. It is filled with personal
emotions, making it one of the most heartfelt wedding poems in English
literature.
 Prothalamion, while celebratory, is more detached and composed as an
occasional poem to honor noble marriages rather than express personal
emotions.

Conclusion
Both Epithalamion and Prothalamion showcase Spenser’s poetic mastery in
celebrating marriage, but they differ in their purpose, tone, and approach.
Epithalamion is a personal, passionate, and elaborate wedding song, while
Prothalamion is more formal, restrained, and politically symbolic. Despite their
differences, both poems beautifully capture the ideals of love, harmony, and
matrimonial bliss, making them timeless wedding songs in English poetry.

Q4. Would you agree that Milton reflects on blindness in Sonnets 19 & 23?
Give a reasoned answer. answer for 20 marks
ChatGPT said:
Milton’s Reflection on Blindness in Sonnets 19 and 23
John Milton’s Sonnet 19 ("When I consider how my light is spent") and Sonnet
23 ("Methought I saw my late espoused saint") both reflect Milton’s struggle
with blindness, albeit in different ways. These sonnets are deeply personal and
philosophical, exploring not just physical blindness but also the emotional and
spiritual dimensions of vision and insight. While both poems are linked by the
theme of blindness, they approach the subject from contrasting perspectives.

1. Sonnet 19: The Physical and Spiritual Dimensions of Blindness

In Sonnet 19, Milton contemplates the loss of his sight, which occurred in his
later years, and how it impacts his ability to fulfill his work as a poet. The poem
is a profound meditation on the challenge of creating without the faculty of
vision, as well as a reflection on the broader implications of his disability.
 Physical Blindness as a Loss of Power:
The sonnet opens with a lament about how Milton’s light (his eyesight)
has been spent or extinguished, and he contemplates the practical
difficulties he faces due to blindness:
“When I consider how my light is spent, Ere half my days, in this dark
world and wide...”
Here, Milton expresses a sense of frustration at the loss of his ability to
read and write, two crucial activities for a poet. He refers to his blindness
as a form of "darkness," symbolizing his inability to see the world around
him and engage with it creatively. There is a clear sense of self-pity, as he
feels deprived of the very tool (sight) necessary for his craft.
 Spiritual and Religious Interpretation:
However, the poem moves towards a more philosophical and spiritual
consideration. Milton reflects on how he can still serve God despite his
physical blindness. He writes:
“God doth not need / Either man’s work or his own gifts.”
 Milton arrives at the realization that his blindness does not hinder his
ability to serve a higher purpose. Instead of focusing on the physical
limitations, he finds solace in the idea that divine service does not rely on
the traditional, worldly means of achievement. This marks a shift from
despair to acceptance, as he acknowledges that his true purpose is not
dependent on his sight but on his devotion to God.

2. Sonnet 23: Spiritual Vision and the Power of the Mind

In Sonnet 23, Milton approaches blindness from a more personal, emotional
angle, exploring the vision of his late wife, Mary Powell, in a dream-like
reverie. The sonnet is often interpreted as Milton’s mourning for his first wife,
who had passed away, and his reflection on the sight of her in his imagination.
 Blindness and Imagination:
While Milton’s physical blindness is a prominent aspect of his life,
Sonnet 23 suggests that even without physical sight, the mind retains its
power to perceive. The vision of his deceased wife in the sonnet is
described in vivid terms:
“Methought I saw my late espoused saint, / Brought to me like Alcestis
from the grave...”
Here, Milton imagines seeing his wife, evoking classical mythology (the
resurrection of Alcestis), implying that even in blindness, his mental
faculties are still sharp, capable of creating rich and meaningful visions.
This suggests that spiritual or mental sight can compensate for the loss of
physical vision.
 Reflection on Spiritual Sight:
The sonnet ends with a yearning for the return of his wife, but it also
demonstrates how Milton's mind, though deprived of physical sight,
continues to engage with the world through memory, imagination, and
faith. The sonnet reflects that even in the absence of sight, the mind can
transcend the physical world to maintain connection with loved ones.
There is an implicit suggestion that spiritual and emotional vision can
endure beyond the limitations of the body.

3. Common Themes: Blindness and the Limitations of the Physical World

Both sonnets reflect Milton's personal experience with blindness, but they move
beyond mere physical disability to explore broader themes of vision, spiritual
insight, and purpose.
  Blindness as a Metaphor for Spiritual Insight:
In both Sonnet 19 and Sonnet 23, Milton ultimately turns blindness into a
metaphor for spiritual sight. In Sonnet 19, he comes to terms with his
blindness as an opportunity to serve God in ways that transcend physical
limitations, while in Sonnet 23, his vision of his deceased wife shows
how the mind’s eye can keep alive the memory and emotional connection
even when the body fails.
 The Role of Faith:
Both poems express the role of faith in providing insight beyond the
physical senses. In Sonnet 19, faith in God’s will provides consolation for
Milton’s blindness, and in Sonnet 23, Milton’s spiritual connection with
his late wife continues despite the absence of her physical presence. Both
sonnets show how Milton redefines sight, suggesting that the inner
vision, shaped by the mind, imagination, and faith, is more important than
mere physical sight.

Conclusion
Milton indeed reflects on blindness in both Sonnet 19 and Sonnet 23, but in
different ways. Sonnet 19 deals more directly with the frustration of losing
physical sight and the impact it has on his ability to perform his role as a poet.
Yet, it also reflects his reconciliation with this loss, turning it into an
opportunity to serve a divine purpose. Sonnet 23 explores how blindness does
not limit the power of the imagination and the mind. It conveys how spiritual
vision, imagination, and memory can transcend the loss of physical sight.
Together, these sonnets reflect Milton’s acceptance of his blindness while
finding deeper spiritual and emotional truths in its wake.

Q5. Would you consider Sylvia Plath’s Daddy to be an expression against the
voice of patriarchy? Comment critically. answer for 20 marks
ChatGPT said:
Sylvia Plath’s Daddy as an Expression Against the Voice of Patriarchy
Sylvia Plath's poem Daddy is widely regarded as one of her most powerful and
controversial works, often interpreted as an expression of defiance and anger
towards patriarchal structures, authority, and the emotional and psychological
abuse she experienced in her life. The poem can indeed be seen as a direct
confrontation with the oppressive forces of patriarchy, particularly in the context
of its portrayal of the father figure, but it is also deeply personal, drawing from
Plath’s own traumatic experiences. Through its vivid, surreal, and often
disturbing imagery, Daddy critiques not only individual patriarchal figures but
also broader societal structures that perpetuate gender inequality, repression, and
control.

1. The Father Figure as Patriarchy

At the heart of Daddy is the portrayal of the father, who represents not just a
personal figure in Plath’s life but also a symbolic embodiment of patriarchal
power. The poem begins with Plath addressing her father, who had passed away
when she was young, using the term “Daddy,” a term often associated with
innocence and love but here laden with resentment and bitterness. The tone of
the poem is confrontational and accusatory, showing how the speaker has
internalized feelings of abandonment and repression stemming from her father’s
early death and the legacy of his absence.
 Example from the Poem:
“You died before I had time— / Marble-heavy, a bag full of God, /
Ghastly statue with one gray toe / Big as a Frisco seal.”
These lines reflect the speaker's overwhelming perception of her father’s
authority and emotional power as a looming, suffocating force. The
“statue” is an image of unyielding and petrified authority, perhaps
symbolizing how patriarchal figures are often treated as untouchable,
monumental, and imposing, even when they are absent.
 The Father as a Nazi Figure:
Throughout the poem, Plath compares her father to a Nazi officer and
herself to a Jewish prisoner, evoking the trauma of oppression. This
comparison is not only an expression of personal resentment but also a
commentary on the broader impact of patriarchal oppression. The figure
of the Nazi oppressor is historically associated with power, control, and
violence, making this comparison an overt metaphor for how patriarchal
structures function as systems of domination and subjugation.
“You stand at the blackboard, daddy, / In the picture I have of you. / A cleft in
your chin instead of your foot.”
This line suggests that her father’s presence was an insurmountable obstacle,
much like the authoritarian state apparatus of a dictator.

2. The Struggle for Autonomy and the Desire for Liberation

Daddy also explores the speaker’s desire to break free from the psychological
and emotional constraints imposed by the father figure and, by extension, the
patriarchal system. The speaker struggles to reconcile the love she once felt for
her father with the immense pain and anger his absence caused. This tension is
mirrored in the speaker’s desire to destroy the father figure in order to achieve
personal freedom.
 Symbolic Destruction of Patriarchy:
The climax of the poem sees the speaker metaphorically “killing” the
father, an act of reclaiming power and agency. The final lines of the poem
—“Daddy, daddy, you bastard, I’m through”— signify a violent rupture
with the past, a declaration of independence from the oppressive
influence of patriarchal control. The repetition of “Daddy” conveys the
unresolved, cyclical nature of the speaker’s trauma, but the assertion that
she is "through" with him indicates a break from the past and a refusal to
remain under the influence of the patriarchal figure.
 The Female Struggle for Empowerment:
Plath’s tone throughout the poem is rebellious and vindictive. The
speaker's decision to no longer be “under” the oppressive power of her
father is symbolic of the larger feminist struggle for autonomy in a
patriarchal world. The act of "killing" the father can thus be seen as a
metaphor for the liberation of women from the confines of patriarchy.
The woman must "slay" or reject the figures of patriarchal authority—
whether they are fathers, husbands, or societal expectations—in order to
achieve freedom and self-realization.

3. Psychological and Emotional Dimensions of Patriarchy

While Daddy is a direct confrontation with patriarchy, it is also a deeply
psychological poem. The poem’s speaker is not simply critiquing patriarchal
structures but is also grappling with her own internalized trauma and emotional
scars. Her relationship with her father is marked by both love and hate, and her
struggles with her sense of self-worth reflect how patriarchal structures can
shape a woman’s psyche.
 The Presence of Internalized Patriarchy:
The poem also suggests that patriarchal figures are not only external
sources of oppression but are internalized by women, influencing their
sense of identity and self-worth. The speaker’s identification with a “Jew”
suffering under the Nazi regime symbolizes the internalized victimhood
women experience under patriarchy. There is a sense that women are
taught to see themselves as subservient and inferior, trapped within a
system that devalues them.
 Example from the Poem:
“I have had to kill you. / You died before I had time.”
These lines indicate the psychic toll of patriarchy, where women are left
to resolve unresolved issues with male figures in their lives, struggling to
free themselves from both the literal and figurative death of these figures.
The psychological “killing” of the father is necessary for the speaker to
escape the emotional imprisonment that patriarchy has created.

4. Feminist Readings of Daddy

Many feminist scholars view Daddy as a feminist manifesto of sorts, not just
because it critiques patriarchal authority but also because it reveals the
emotional and psychological damage that patriarchal power can inflict on
women. The poem becomes a means of articulating the need for liberation and
agency for women who have been traditionally relegated to subordinate roles
within patriarchal systems.
 Assertion of Female Agency:
The final act of defiance in the poem is the speaker’s declaration that she
is "through" with her father, a moment of both emotional and political
empowerment. Plath’s depiction of this internal battle with patriarchal
figures illustrates the complexity of feminist struggles, where women
must often fight not just against external forces but also against
internalized oppression.

Conclusion
Daddy by Sylvia Plath can certainly be interpreted as an expression against the
voice of patriarchy. The poem critiques the father figure as a symbol of
patriarchal authority, expressing both the pain and anger of living in a
patriarchal society. Through vivid, surreal imagery and intense emotional
conflict, the poem offers a potent critique of the oppressive dynamics of gender,
power, and control. However, it is also deeply personal, rooted in Plath’s own
experiences of trauma, loss, and emotional abuse. By confronting her
internalized patriarchal figures and asserting her desire for liberation, Plath’s
Daddy is ultimately an expression of defiance and a call for the empowerment
of women to break free from the constraints imposed by patriarchy.