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…
“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…
“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…
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…
“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…
“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…
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…
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 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…
“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…
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…
“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…
