Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant Vocabulary blight – something that impairs one’s growth and deflates one’s spirit patriarchs – males in power hoary – grown gray with age; ancient sepulchre – tomb pensive – thoughtful venerable – honorable; honored scourged – severely punished 1. What does the poem’s title mean? Answer: “Thanatopsis†means “Meditation on … Read more
“The Good Morrow†by John Donne Vocabulary troth – word of honour fancies – whims slacken – loosen Introduction: The Good-Morrow is an aubade. This is a poem written in the morning, a song of the morning. The poet is addressing a young lady that he has just spent the night with, and whatever has … Read more
“Adieu, Farewell Earth’s Bliss†by Thomas Nashe Vocabulary physic – health devour – consume quickly vain – hopeless heritage – birthright, destiny Questions and Answers 1. This poem is classified as a lyric. What qualities make it this type of poem? A lyric is a type of poetry in which the voice of the poem … Read more
On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer by John Keats Vocabulary fealty – oath of loyalty demesne – territory, domain ken – view, sight 1. At the start of this poem, how does the speaker establish himself as well cultured? The speaker tells the reader that he has “much travell’d,†and “many goodly states and kingdoms … Read more
“When I Have Fears That I May Cease to Be†by John Keats Vocabulary glean’d – gathered teeming – crowded 1. What type of sonnet is this poem an example of? The poem is an example of a Shakespearean or Elizabethan sonnet. 2. What is the tone of the poem? The poem has an overwhelming … Read more
“Hymn: Sung at the Completion of the Concord Monument†by Ralph Waldo Emerson Vocabulary votive – given as the mark of a vow or pledge sires – fathers 1. What has happened to the “rude bridgeâ€? The bridge no longer stands since it was swept down the stream. 2. What does the speaker ultimately ask … Read more
Sonnet XLIII Or How Do I Love Thee? Context At a very young age, the brother of Elizabeth Barrett Browning drowned with the result her father becoming very over-protective. She eloped with the poet, Robert Browning against his wishes, revealing how important love had been to her. After she married Robert Browning, her father disinherited … Read more
The Village Blacksmith by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Vocabulary sinewy – muscular bellows – wind-tunnels, chimneys chaff – tease threshing – beating repose – sleep Questions and Answers 1. How does the speaker feel about the village blacksmith? The speaker holds the blacksmith in high esteem as a hard worker, faithful man, loving father, devoted husband, … Read more
The Children’s Hour by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Vocabulary banditti – plural of “bandit,†thieves moulder – decay; crumble to dust 1. Describe the speaker of this poem. What is the speaker’s gender? What do you think the speaker’s relation is to Alice, Allegra, and Edith? The speaker is male (“an old moustache as I amâ€). … Read more
“Barbara Frietchie†by John Greenleaf Whittier Vocabulary famished – starving, hungry fourscore year and ten – 90 years old Questions and Answers 1. The speaker makes references to the “Lee†(Robert E.), a figure from outside the poem whom the speaker assumes readers will recognize. What is the literary term for this kind of reference? … Read more
The Divine Image by William Blake Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love are the attributes qualities of God. We pray God to these attributes when we are in distress. Mercy has a kind human heart, pity a human face, love is the human form and peace is the human dress. Where, mercy, pity, peace and love … Read more
“Chicago†by Carl Sandburg Vocabulary brawling – fighting noisily Questions and Answers 1. Who or what is the speaker addressing in this poem? The speaker is addressing the city of Chicago. 2. How does the speaker handle complaints about the city? The speaker acknowledges that the complaints are valid, then goes on to counter them … Read more