MEG 1
BRITISH POETRY
MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment January 2023
Q 1. Explain any two of the excerpts of poems given below with reference to their context:
(i) But hail thou Goddes, sage and holy,
Hail divinest Melancholy,
Whose Saintly visage is too bright
To hit the Sense of human sight;
And therefore to our weaker view,
Ore laid with black staid wisdoms hue.
Ans. The excerpt is from John Milton’s poem “Il Penseroso” and refers to the personification of melancholy as a goddess.
The speaker is addressing this goddess, acknowledging her wisdom and intellectual depth, which he perceives as being too profound for human comprehension.
The description of the goddess as “sage and holy” suggests that she is a divine presence and is revered by the speaker.
The use of the word “divinest” further emphasizes this idea.
The reference to the goddess’s “saintly visage” being too bright to be seen by humans indicates that her presence is spiritual rather than physical.
The speaker suggests that the goddess’s appearance is overwhelming, perhaps implying that her insights and wisdom are difficult for humans to grasp.
The final line of the excerpt, “Ore laid with black staid wisdoms hue,” suggests that the goddess’s wisdom is deep and profound, but it is also somber and serious.
The phrase “laid with black” refers to mourning or sadness, which is often associated with melancholy. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The idea of “staid wisdom” implies that the goddess’s insights are grounded in careful consideration and experience.
Overall, the excerpt portrays melancholy as a powerful and complex force that inspires both reverence and fear.
(ii) My love 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.
Ans. The excerpt is from Edmund Spenser’s poem “Amoretti” and describes the awakening of the speaker’s lover from a dream.
The speaker notes that his lover’s eyes, which were previously dulled by darkness (perhaps due to being closed during sleep), are now shining brightly like stars.
The comparison to Hesperus, the evening star, emphasizes the brightness of the lover’s eyes, suggesting that they are radiant and captivating.
The use of the word “fayre” suggests that the lover is not only physically attractive but also embodies qualities such as goodness, purity, and grace.
The idea of her eyes being “like stars” also suggests that she is ethereal and otherworldly, perhaps implying that she is a celestial being.
Overall, the excerpt conveys the speaker’s admiration and awe towards his lover, who is presented as a beautiful and enchanting presence.
The use of celestial imagery enhances the idea of the lover’s radiance and adds to the romantic and elevated tone of the poem.
Q 2. Draw a comparison between the Epithalamion and the Prothalamion as wedding songs. Answer with suitable examples.
Ans. The Epithalamion and the Prothalamion are two examples of wedding songs that have been popular throughout history.
While both songs are written to celebrate weddings, there are significant differences in their style, structure, and content.MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The Epithalamion is a type of wedding song that has its roots in ancient Greece. It is typically a long and complex poem that celebrates the bride and groom and their union.
The poem often includes references to mythology, nature, and history, and is characterized by its ornate and elaborate language.
One of the most famous examples of the Epithalamion is the poem of the same name written by the English poet Edmund Spenser.
The poem is over 1,200 lines long and is divided into 24 sections, each corresponding to an hour of the wedding day. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The poem is a celebration of Spenser’s marriage to his wife, Elizabeth Boyle, and includes references to classical mythology and the natural world.
For example, in the opening lines of the poem, Spenser writes:
“Ye learned sisters, which have oftentimes
Been to me aiding, others to adorn,
Whom ye thought worthy of your gracefull rymes,
That even the greatest did not greatly scorne
To heare theyr names sung in your simply layes,
But joyed in theyr praise;
And when ye lift your owne mishaps to mourne,
Which death, or love, or fortunes wreck did rayse,
Your string could soone to sadder tenor turne,
And teach the woods and waters to lament
Your dolefull dreariment.”
The language in this excerpt is ornate and formal, with the use of archaic words like “ye” and “theyr,” and the use of rhyming couplets.
The reference to the “learned sisters” is a reference to the Muses, who were the goddesses of the arts and inspiration in Greek mythology.
The poem also includes references to the natural world, such as the woods and waters, which are personified and made to lament the poet’s sorrows.
In contrast, the Prothalamion is a type of wedding song that is more straightforward and simple in its structure and language. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The Prothalamion was also popular in ancient Greece, but it gained popularity in England during the Renaissance.
The Prothalamion is typically a shorter poem that celebrates the wedding day and the bride and groom.
One of the most famous examples of the Prothalamion is the poem of the same name written by the English poet Edmund Spenser.
The poem is much shorter than the Epithalamion, with only 68 lines, and is divided into five stanzas.
The poem celebrates the marriage of two sisters, Katherine and Elizabeth Somerset, to two brothers, William and Robert Petre.
For example, in the opening lines of the poem, Spenser writes:
“Calm was the day, and through the trembling air
Sweet breathing Zephyrus did softly play,
A gentle spirit, that lightly did delay
Hot Titan’s beams, which then did glister fair;
When I (whom sullen care,
Through discontent of my long fruitless stay
In prince’s court, and expectation vain
Of idle hopes, which still do fly away,
Like empty shadows, did afflict my brain),
Walked forth to ease my pain
Along the shore of silver streaming Thames.”
The language in this excerpt is simpler and more direct than in the Epithalamion, with fewer archaic words and less ornate language.
The reference to Zephyrus, the gentle breeze, is a classical allusion that adds to the romantic and elevated tone of the poem.
However, the focus of the poem is on the beauty of the day and the natural world, rather than on elaborate mythological references or personal details about the wedding.MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Another key difference between the Epithalamion and the Prothalamion is their structure.
The Epithalamion is a long and complex poem that is divided into multiple sections, each corresponding to an hour of the wedding day.
The poem builds in intensity and emotion as it progresses, with the final sections of the poem representing the climax of the wedding ceremony and the consummation of the marriage.
In contrast, the Prothalamion is a shorter poem that is structured as a series of stanzas. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Each stanza focuses on a different aspect of the wedding day, such as the beauty of the natural world or the happiness of the bride and groom.
The stanzas are often linked by a repeating refrain or a common theme, creating a sense of unity and coherence throughout the poem.
Finally, the content of the two poems differs in their focus and tone. The Epithalamion is a deeply personal and emotional poem that reflects the poet’s own feelings about his marriage and his bride.
The poem is filled with references to the natural world, mythology, and history, all of which are used to create a sense of grandeur and importance around the wedding.
In contrast, the Prothalamion is a more lighthearted and celebratory poem that focuses on the joy and happiness of the wedding day.
The poem celebrates the beauty of the natural world and the love between the bride and groom, creating a sense of optimism and hope for the future.
Q 3. Who were the Pre- Raphaelites and what were the characteristics of the movement? Critically appreciate any one poem of this age/movement.
Ans. The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was a group of artists and poets who formed a movement in England during the mid-19th century.
The movement was founded in 1848 by a group of young artists who were disillusioned with the art of their time and sought to create a new style that was more true to nature and the human experience.
The group was founded by William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who were later joined by other artists and poets.
The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was characterized by a number of distinctive features, both in their poetry and art.MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
One of the most notable features was their rejection of the academic style of art that dominated the Royal Academy at the time.
Instead, they looked to the art of the medieval period and the early Renaissance for inspiration, as well as to nature and the human experience.
The Pre-Raphaelites were also characterized by their attention to detail and their use of bright, vivid colors.
They rejected the soft, muted colors of academic art and instead used intense, vibrant colors that were more true to life.
They also paid close attention to the details of nature and the human form, often depicting their subjects with a meticulous realism that was unprecedented in art at the time.
In addition to their artistic innovations, the Pre-Raphaelites were also known for their interest in literature and poetry. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Many of the artists in the group were also poets, and their poetry shared many of the same characteristics as their art.
Like their art, Pre-Raphaelite poetry was characterized by its attention to detail, vivid imagery, and intense emotions.
One of the most famous poems of the Pre-Raphaelite movement is “The Blessed Damozel” by Dante Gabriel Rossetti.
The poem was first published in 1850 and tells the story of a woman who has died and gone to heaven, where she waits for her lover to join her.
The poem is notable for its rich imagery and intense emotions, as well as its use of medieval and religious themes.
The poem begins with the woman looking down from heaven at her lover, who is still alive on earth.
She longs to be reunited with him and imagines what it would be like to be with him in heaven. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The imagery in the poem is vivid and detailed, with Rossetti describing the colors and sights of heaven in great detail.
The woman is depicted as beautiful and otherworldly, with a luminous presence that shines out from the page.
Her lover is described in equally vivid terms, with Rossetti painting a picture of a man who is deeply in love with the woman and longs to be with her in heaven.
The poem is notable for its use of religious themes, with Rossetti drawing on the imagery and language of the Bible to describe the woman’s ascent to heaven.
The poem is also infused with a sense of melancholy and longing, as the woman and her lover are separated by death and the vast gulf between heaven and earth.
Overall, “The Blessed Damozel” is a powerful and moving poem that captures many of the key themes and characteristics of the Pre-Raphaelite movement.
The poem is characterized by its attention to detail, vivid imagery, and intense emotions, and it is a testament to the power of art and poetry to capture the human experience.MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
In addition to “The Blessed Damozel,” other notable poems of the Pre-Raphaelite movement include “Goblin Market” by Christina Rossetti and “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot. “
Goblin Market” is a poem about two sisters who encounter a group of goblin men selling fruit in a forest.
The poem is notable for its rich imagery and its exploration of themes like temptation, desire, and redemption.
“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” is a poem about a man who is plagued by feelings of inadequacy and a sense of disillusionment with the modern world.
The poem is notable for its fragmented style and its use of vivid imagery to convey the inner world of the protagonist.MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Overall, the Pre-Raphaelite movement was a major cultural and artistic force in the mid-19th century, and its influence can still be seen in art and literature today.
The movement was characterized by its rejection of academic art, its attention to detail and vivid imagery, and its exploration of intense emotions and complex themes.
In conclusion, the Pre-Raphaelite movement was a significant cultural and artistic movement that emerged in England during the mid-19th century.
The movement was characterized by its rejection of academic art, its attention to detail and vivid imagery, and its exploration of intense emotions and complex themes.
Q 4. What attitude to Nature does Coleridge express in the Ode to Dejection? In what ways does this attitude differ from that of Wordsworth and from his own earlier attitude?
Ans. Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “Ode to Dejection” is a poem that reflects the poet’s profound sense of despair and his relationship with nature.
The poem, written in 1802, explores Coleridge’s attitude towards nature, which can be seen as a contrast to the ideas expressed by his friend and fellow poet, William Wordsworth. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The poem is a personal lament and a reflection on the nature of the human experience, and it reveals a complex and shifting attitude towards the natural world.
At the beginning of the poem, Coleridge expresses a sense of detachment from the natural world, describing how he feels cut off from the beauty and vitality of the natural environment.
He writes, “Well may the bards of old delight to feign / One wandering in forests wide and wild / But wandering in lone sadness, and withal / The music of the forest-birds is dumb, / Nor can I find in all my lonely walk / A garland worth the weariness of hours.”
Here, Coleridge emphasizes his isolation from the natural world and suggests that the beauty and wonder of nature are inaccessible to him.
However, as the poem progresses, Coleridge’s attitude towards nature becomes more nuanced. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
He begins to see nature as a source of comfort and healing, writing, “O, how canst thou renounce, and hope to be / Aught but a joy to thee, when every fair / Each vernal beauty of unblemished hue / Warms not the bosom like a spell of power, / And all the charms of Nature do but woo / To sweet oblivion of the present hour!” Here, Coleridge suggests that nature has the power to heal and renew the human spirit, and that its beauty can provide solace in times of sorrow and despair.
Coleridge’s attitude towards nature in the “Ode to Dejection” differs from that of Wordsworth in several key ways.
Wordsworth was a passionate advocate for the natural world, and his poetry often celebrates the beauty and power of nature.
He believed that nature was a source of moral and spiritual guidance, and that it could teach us important lessons about ourselves and our place in the world.
In contrast, Coleridge’s attitude towards nature is more ambivalent. While he recognizes the restorative power of nature, he also sees it as an elusive and distant force, something that is difficult to access and understand.
Coleridge’s attitude towards nature also differs from his own earlier writings. In his early poetry, Coleridge was more optimistic about the potential for nature to provide comfort and guidance. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
For example, in “This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison,” he describes how the natural world has the power to heal his spirits and alleviate his feelings of sadness and loneliness.
However, in the “Ode to Dejection,” Coleridge’s attitude towards nature is more complex and nuanced, reflecting his own struggles with despair and his changing views on the role of nature in the human experience.
Overall, Coleridge’s “Ode to Dejection” reveals a shifting and complex attitude towards the natural world. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
While the poet recognizes the healing power of nature, he also acknowledges its elusive and mysterious nature, and the difficulty of truly connecting with it.
This attitude differs from the more optimistic and celebratory approach to nature expressed by Wordsworth, as well as from Coleridge’s own earlier writings.
Nonetheless, the poem remains a powerful reflection on the human experience and the complex relationship between the self and the natural world.
One of the key themes of the “Ode to Dejection” is the idea of the sublime, a concept that was popular in the Romantic era.
The sublime refers to the experience of awe and wonder that is inspired by the natural world, particularly by its vastness and power.
Coleridge explores this idea in the poem, suggesting that the sublime can be both exhilarating and terrifying. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
He writes, “With many a pause and oft reverted eye / I climb the Coësch or crownèd Hercules, / And still at each ascent with sickening heart / Recoil, and shudder at that dizzy depth, / But silent, as a thunder-cloud that broods / Over Jove’s marble brow, so still and pure, / The conscious mountain stands.”
Here, Coleridge suggests that the sublime can be both beautiful and overwhelming, and that it has the power to inspire both awe and fear in the human psyche.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of solitude. Coleridge writes, “For not to think of what I needs must feel, / But to be still and patient, all I can; / And haply by abstruse research to steal / From my own nature all the natural man / This was my sole resource, my only plan.”
Here, Coleridge suggests that solitude is a necessary component of the creative process, and that it is through isolation and introspection that the poet is able to connect with the natural world and create meaningful work.
Finally, the poem reflects Coleridge’s ongoing struggle with addiction and depression. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The poet was known to struggle with opium addiction, and the “Ode to Dejection” reflects his deep sense of despair and hopelessness.
Throughout the poem, Coleridge wrestles with feelings of isolation and alienation, and he describes his own mental state as a kind of prison.
Q 5. What was the Reformation? What relations can you identify and trace between the Renaissance and the Reformation
Ans. The Reformation was a religious movement that began in the early 16th century in Europe, led by Martin Luther, a German monk and theologian.
It challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and led to the formation of Protestant denominations such as Lutheranism, Calvinism, and Anglicanism.
The Reformation had a significant impact on the religious, political, and social structures of Europe, and its effects can still be felt today.
The Renaissance, on the other hand, was a cultural and intellectual movement that began in Italy in the 14th century and spread throughout Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
It marked a period of great artistic, scientific, and philosophical achievement, as well as a renewed interest in classical literature and culture.
The Renaissance had a profound impact on European culture and led to a greater emphasis on individualism, secularism, and humanism.
There are several ways in which the Renaissance and the Reformation were related and intertwined.
First, the Renaissance paved the way for the Reformation by creating a climate of intellectual and cultural ferment that challenged the traditional authority of the Catholic Church. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Renaissance thinkers such as Erasmus and Thomas More questioned the moral and intellectual authority of the Church, and their ideas laid the groundwork for later reformers like Luther.
Second, the Reformation itself was a product of the intellectual and cultural currents of the Renaissance.
Luther, for example, was deeply influenced by the humanist movement and its emphasis on individual conscience and the authority of the Bible.
He rejected the medieval scholasticism of the Church and instead sought to base his theology on a more direct reading of scripture.
Third, the Reformation had a profound impact on the culture and art of the Renaissance. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Protestantism emphasized the importance of individual interpretation and direct access to scripture, which led to a proliferation of vernacular translations of the Bible and a greater emphasis on literacy and education.
This in turn had a profound impact on the development of literature, art, and music, as artists and writers sought to reach a wider audience and express their ideas in a more accessible form.
significant political and social consequences that were closely intertwined with the intellectual and cultural changes of the Renaissance.
The Protestant Reformation challenged the traditional authority of the Catholic Church and its close relationship with European monarchs, leading to a series of religious wars and political conflicts that reshaped the political landscape of Europe.
In England, for example, the break with Rome led to the establishment of the Church of England and a shift in power away from the papacy and towards the monarchy.
The Reformation also had important implications for the social structure of Europe.
Protestantism emphasized the importance of individual faith and salvation, which challenged the traditional hierarchies of the Catholic Church and led to a greater emphasis on the role of the individual in society.
This had a profound impact on the development of democratic and liberal political thought, as well as on the rise of capitalism and the development of modern economic systems.MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
In addition, the Reformation had important implications for the development of science and technology.
Protestantism emphasized the importance of empirical observation and the scientific method, which laid the groundwork for the scientific revolution of the 17th century.
The emphasis on individual conscience and the direct relationship with God also led to a greater emphasis on the importance of personal experience and observation, which contributed to the development of new scientific theories and methods.
Despite the many connections between the Renaissance and the Reformation, however, there were also significant differences between the two movements.
The Renaissance was primarily a cultural and intellectual movement, while the Reformation was primarily a religious and political movement.
The Renaissance emphasized the importance of classical learning and the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, while the Reformation was primarily concerned with the relationship between God and humanity and the question of salvation.
Q 6. Philip Larkin has been called an ‘uncommon poet of common man’. Would you agree? Explain with suitable examples.
Ans. Philip Larkin, one of the most prominent poets of the 20th century, is known for his straightforward, often cynical, and unromanticized approach to poetry.
He has been called an “uncommon poet of common man” because of his ability to capture the essence of ordinary life and the struggles and desires of everyday people. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
First and foremost, Larkin’s poetry is accessible to a wide audience. Unlike other poets who write in an esoteric language that only a select few can understand, Larkin’s poetry is written in a clear and simple style that anyone can comprehend.
His use of everyday language and relatable themes makes his work resonate with the common man.
For instance, in his famous poem “This Be The Verse,” Larkin writes about the generational conflict that exists in every family, and he does so in a way that everyone can understand. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The opening lines “They fuck you up, your mum and dad” are blunt and shocking, but they also convey a message that many people can relate to.
Furthermore, Larkin’s poetry is known for its realism. He writes about the mundane aspects of life, such as work, relationships, and aging, and does so in a way that reflects the realities of everyday existence.
In “The Whitsun Weddings,” for instance, Larkin describes a train journey that takes place on a hot summer day.
The poem is not about anything extraordinary or profound, but rather it is a reflection on the small moments that make up our lives.
Larkin’s ability to find beauty in the ordinary is what sets him apart from other poets.
Another aspect of Larkin’s poetry that makes him an uncommon poet of the common man is his humor.
Despite his reputation as a curmudgeonly figure, Larkin’s poetry is often humorous and wry.
He has a talent for finding the absurdity in everyday situations and pointing it out in a way that makes his readers smile.MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
For example, in “High Windows,” Larkin writes about the sexual revolution that took place in the 1960s and how it affected the way people thought about love and relationships.
The poem is full of witty observations and humorous asides, such as “When I see a couple of kids / And guess he’s fucking her and she’s / Taking pills or wearing a diaphragm, / I know this is paradise.”
Larkin’s ability to make his readers laugh while still addressing serious topics is part of what makes him an uncommon poet of the common man.
Moreover, Larkin’s poetry deals with from all walks of life. He writes about love, death, loneliness, and the passage of time in a way that speaks to the human experience.
For instance, in “An Arundel Tomb,” Larkin reflects on the transient nature of love and the inevitability of death.MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The poem describes a tomb in which the effigies of a medieval knight and his lady lie holding hands, and Larkin writes that “What will survive of us is love.”
The sentiment expressed in the poem is something that everyone can relate to, regardless of their background or social status.
Additionally, Larkin’s poetry is known for its honesty. He does not shy away from difficult or uncomfortable truths, and he often writes about his own failures and shortcomings.
In “The Old Fools,” for example, Larkin writes about the fear and anxiety that come with aging, and he does so in a way that is unflinchingly honest.
The poem is a reflection on the inevitability of death and the fact that we all must face it eventually. MEG 1 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Larkin’s willingness to confront these difficult truths head-on is part of what makes him an uncommon poet of the common man.