english poetry for up board 11th & 12th class 2017

12th English Poetry

Poem – 1 (Mercy)

(William Shakespeare)

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Mercy” composed by “William Shakespeare”, a famous poet and dramatist of Elizabethan age.
Context:
In these lines, Portia, the wife of Bassanio appeals to shylok to show mercy to Antonio. She praises the quality of mercy highly.
Explanation/Central Idea :
The poet says that Mercy is a divine quality. Nobody can force to show mercy. It comes like a gentle rain naturally. It is a double blessing. It blesses both the giver and the receiver.
King’s royal rod shows temporal power but mercy is above this. It suits the king better than his crown. It sits in hearts of the kings. It is a quality of God. When a king softens the punishment by showing mercy, the power of king appears like the power of God.

02.Character of A Happy Life

Reference:

         These deductive lines have been taken from the poem “Character of a Happy Life” composed by “Sir Henery Wotton”.

Context:

         In these lines he points out the qualities of a happy man. A happy man is honest, truthful and master of his passion. He does not like flatterers at all. He is master of himself.

Explanation/Central Idea :

The Poet says that a happy man is truthful and honest. He is master of his passions. He is not afraid of death but he is a God fearing. He does not care for the criticism of common people. He always goes by his conscience. He does not like flatterers. He is not jealous of anyone. He does not pay attention to false praise. He is lover of God. He passes his time with good books and friends. He does not care for rise or fall in life. He is very rich because he is master of passions. He is truly a happy man.

03The True Beauty

Reference:

This beautiful stanza has been taken from the poem “The True Beauty” composed by “Thomas Carew”

Context:

Stanza – 1: The poet hates only physical beauty and praises the spiritual beauty. He says that physical beauty disappears with the passing of time.

Stanza – 2: The poet prefers spiritual beauty to physical beauty. He says that beauty of mind and soul is ever-lasting.

Explanation/Central Idea :

Stanza – 1: The poet describes the spiritual and physical beauty. Physical beauty means the beauty of rosy cheeks, coral-lips and star like eyes. Generally a man loves his beloved on account of her physical beauty but this type of beauty disappears with passing of time.

Stanza – 2: The poet praises the spiritual beauty, the beauty of mind and soul. He says that the beauty of stead fast mind, good thoughts and calm desires never dies. If a woman has these qualities, she possesses true beauty. This beauty exists long even after her death because soul and good thoughts can never die. That’s why he hates the physical beauty, beauty of rosy cheeks, coral-lips and star like eyes.

04.On His Blindness

Reference:

This stanza has been taken from the beautiful sonnet “On His Blindness” composed by “John Milton”, a famous sonneteer.

Context:

The Poet became blind at the age of forty-four. He complains that God can not expect service from him because He has not given him eyes. He can not use his poetic talent. But soon he realizes that the way of serving God is to bear sufferings without making any complaint.

Explanation/Central Idea :

Milton lost his eye sight at the age of forty-four. God gave him poetic talent, he wants to serve God but he complains that he has not given him eye-light. He fears that he may rebuke him on the Day of Judgment.

He foolishly asks that God should not expect service from unfit and handicapped person. Soon he realizes that he does not expect any work or gift from his children. He has thousands of angles to serve him. He is great and the supreme power of the earth. The real meaning of serving God is bearing the sufferings and misfortunes of life happily.

05.An Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard

Reference:

This striking stanza has been taken from a long poem “An Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” composed by “Thomas Gray”.

Context:

The poet is standing in churchyard. He says that ringing of evening bell shows that day has ended. He shows deep sympathy for the people who are lying buried. He appeals that ambitious people should not laugh at simple history of their lives.

Explanation/Central Idea :

The poet says that poor people of the village are lying buried in simple and decaying graves. Cool pleasant air of morning swallow, twittering and cock’s sharp crow will not wake them up because they are completely dead. They were uneducated. He further says that ambitious people should not laugh at their simple but useful work and should not hear simple history their lives with contempt.

Death is the end of everything. It does not matter much if it is wealth, beauty, and pride of noble birth. Death is unavoidable for the poor as well as the rich, the high as well as the low.

06.The Scholar

Reference:

This beautiful piece of poetry has been taken from the poem “The Scholar” Composed by “Robert Southey”.

Context:

The poet assumes himself a scholar. He says that he spends much of his time in reading good books, written by great writers.

He shares his feelings and seeks guidance from them. He loves virtues and hates vices of the writers of these books. In the end he also hopes that he will also earn name and fame like them.

Explanation/Central Idea :

The writer says that he keeps the company of the book written by the great writers of olden time. These books are his true friends. He enjoys the book in good time and takes instructions in difficulty. He owes to them and this gratitude makes his cheeks wet. He loves the virtues ad hates evils of old writers. He also hopes that after death his name will be in the list of great scholars and enjoy their company truly. People will remember his name.

07.Education of Nature

Reference:

This fine piece of poetry has been taken from the poem “Education of Nature” Composed by “William Wordsworth” a poet of Nature.

Context:

Lucy is a beautiful girl of poet’s imagination. The poet personifies Nature as the best teacher. He says that nature will bring her up. She will learn many valuable lessons from cloud, willow and stars. Nature will inspire to do good things and prevent her from doing bad things.

Explanation/Central Idea :

The poet says that Lucy will get education from Nature. Nature will teach her self-discipline and freedom. She will be as active as fawn. He will learn calm and silence from inanimate things. She will learn to move in graceful manner from clouds. Willow tree will teach her modesty. She will love stars and beauty of cascade. This beauty will add charm to her face. But it is irony that Lucy dies in the end. The poet is sad over her death. He is always lost in the memory of Lucy. The main point is that the Nature is best teacher for us and we can learn something or other from every object of Nature.

08.Stanzas Written in Dejection near Naples

Reference:

These lines have been taken from the beautiful ode “Stanza Written in Dejection near Naples” composed by “P.B. Shelley”.

Context:

The poet is very sad. He is sitting by himself on sea-shore near Naples in Italy and thinking about his sorrowful past. He describes the beauty of nature as well as his misery.

Explanation/Central Idea :

Shelly says that the beauty of nature is spreading around him. When the rays of the sun fall on the waves, they shine brightly. It looks as if they were dancing. But the poet’s life is full of sorrow. He has no hope, no health and no content. He has neither mental- peace nor spiritual peace. He feels jealous when he sees other people surrounding with the pleasures of world. They live happily.

Shelley also wants to live fast. He wises to lie down like a tired child and imagines that the death will come to him and take his problems away with it. He also imagines that the sea- waves will roll over his body.

09.La Belle Dame sans Mercy

Reference:

These beautiful lines have been taken from autobiographical ballad “La Belle Dame sans Mercy” composed by romantic poet “John Keats”.

Context:

The poet loved a beautiful French girl named Fanny Frawne. He got disappointment in love with her. He expresses his disappointment and sorrow through a fully-armed-knight. The poet asked the armed-knight the reason of sadness and wandering aimlessly.

Explanation/Central Idea :

The knight said that he met a beautiful lady in the meadow. She was as beautiful as a fairy’s child. He made a garland of flowers for her. He gave her bracelets. She assured him about her true love. She gave him sweet roots and divine drink, and then she took him to her mysterious cave where she lulled him asleep. While sleeping he saw a horrible dream. He saw some kings, princes and knights in his dream. She had enslaved them. They warned him to keep away from merciless lady lest she should enslave him. In the mean time he woke up from dream and found himself on cold hill side. That lady had gone and he had been deceived badly.

10.To the Pupils

Reference:

This beautiful piece of poetry has been selected from the poem “To the Pupils” composed by romantic poet “Henry L. Derozio”.

Context:

The poet himself is a teacher. He describes the feelings of joy when he sees his student getting knowledge. He feels happy when he thinks that in future his student will get name and fame.

Explanation Central Idea :

The poet tells us about important role of teacher in someone’s life. As a child student is very ignorant. His mental-powers are closed like buds. But the company of a teacher breaks his fetters of ignorance. When the student gets knowledge, he tries to test it and uses it in taking decision. He passes trough many circumstance and experiences that mould his character. When after getting knowledge, a student earns name and fame. Seeing the success of his student, teacher is on cloud nine. He expresses his satisfaction thinking that his life has been meaningful and his hard work has been in right direction and fruitful.

11.From ‘The Passing of Arthur’

Reference:

This beautiful stanza has been taken from the poem “The Passing of Arthur” composed by “Lord Alfred Tennyson”, the most famous poet of the Victorian age.

Context:

King Arthur is fatally wounded. He is going to island of Avilion with his three wives for recovery. He advises his beloved knight not to be sorry for the end of Round Table. He also asks him to pray to God for his soul in case he dies.

Explanation/Central Idea :

King Arthur is wounded. He is going to the island of Avilion. He consoles his loyal knight. He says that change is the law of Nature. Change is very important for world’s progress. No system is ever-lasting in the world. However good the system may be, it will corrupt people if it continues for a long time. King Arthur tells his Bedivere to pray for his soul. Pray can do miraculous things. People can not even think of them. Prayer is a golden chain that binds us to the feet of God.

12.O Captain! My Captain!

Reference:

This stanza has been selected from the poem “O Captain! My Captain!” composed by “Walt Whitman”.

Context:

In this elegiac stanza the poet expresses his sorrow over the death of Abraham Lincoln the sixteenth President of America. Lincoln wanted to liberate Negro-slaves. Civil war broke out and he got the victory. He was shot dead by a terrorist.

Explanation/Central Idea :

The poet compares America as a ship, Lincoln a Captain of that ship and
Civil War of 1861 – 1865 as a voyage. He did a commendable job by abolishing slavery and setting up democracy for all. Although he faced so many problems, he succeeded in getting his aim. At this the people are rejoicing. They are ready to give him a warm welcome with bouquets, garlands of flowers. The bugle is being sounded for him. But Lincoln is shot dead by a terrorist. He asks him to get up and see the people rejoicing. When he does not answer, he doubts that Lincoln is dead. He asks other people to rejoice because aim was achieved. But the poet himself prefers mourning to rejoicing.

13.‘Dover Beach’

Reference:

            This stanza has been selected from the poem “Dover Beach” composed by “Mathew Arnold”.

Context:

            The poet is not happy with the people of world. The poet says that this world is devoid of peace joy, love, light of wisdom. It looks beautiful outwardly. The people of this world are like ignorant soldiers who fight aimlessly. They can make no difference between friend and enemy.

Explanation/Central Idea :

            The poet is sad over the loss of human values and religious faith, so he asks his beloved to be sincere in love. The world looks outwardly beautiful and attractive but it has neither joy nor love, nor light of wisdom, nor peace, nor relief. The world is like a dreamland but there is no real joy in it. The poet compares the world with battle field and man of today with soldier. People of today are very selfish. They are like ignorant soldiers. They do not know whom they are fighting with. Nobody knows who is killing or being killed. They fight aimlessly. They are disoriented.

14.Our Casuarina Tree

Reference:

            This stanza has been taken from the poem “Our Casuarina Tree” composed by “Miss. Toru Dutt”.

Context:

            The poetess tells us about her “Casuarina Tree”. She used to play under its shade with her playmates. She went to Europe at the very young age. This Casuarina Tree reminds her of her friends and she pines for them.

Explanation/Central Idea :

            The poetess used to play under the Casuarina Tree. There was a big vine (Creeper) that climbed up to its top and its flowers will give a different look to the tree. The birds sat on its branch and sang sweet songs but the poetess does not love it due to it beauty and size. She loves it because she used to play with her playmates. Her memories are associated with it. She misses it very much in Europe. She says that not only he but tree also misses her and tries to send massage to her by making mournful

15.My Heaven

Reference:

            This beautiful stanza has been taken from the poem “My Heaven” composed by “Ravindra Nath Tagore”, a Great Noble Prize Winner.

Context:

            This poem is an extract from the Geetanjali. The poet wants that his country should get freedom in every field of life. The people should have knowledge as well as power of reason. They should not be divided in the name of caste, religion and language.

Explanation/Central Idea :

            The poet prays to God that the people of his country should be fearless. Society should not be divided in the name of caste, language and religion. They should have self-respect. They should be truthful and sincere. They should not follow old and useless traditions and customs. They should learn to decide the matter by logical power. He prays to God to give them guidance and inspire them to do their duty well. They should be progressive in every field.

16.If

Reference:

This inspiring stanza has been taken from the deductive poem “If” composed by “Rudyard Kipling”.

Context:

In this poem addressing his son he tells about the qualities which are necessary to be a good man and they are the secret of earning name and fame. They are balance of mind patience, courage, self-respect etc.

Explanation/Central Idea:

The poet tells us that we should have balance of mind trust in us and self-respect. Only seeing dreams does not work but we should change them in to action. We should not hate others. In case of failure, we should not start murmuring but try to find out reason of failure. We should not lose our virtue in the company of common people nor should we lose touch with common people if we live in the company of good people. We should not waste costly time because time once lost never returns. If we follow these golden rules, we may become a good man and a successful human being.

The17. Nightingale

Reference:

This beautiful stanza has been selected from the poem “The Nightingale” composed by “Robert Bridges”.

Context:

The poet is pleased to hear the sweet song of the nightingale. He imagines that the place from where they have learnt their song must be beautiful. At this the nightingale clears his illusion. They say that it is rather their sorrow than joy that inspires their songs.

Explanation/Central Idea :

The poet tells us that the nightingales sing sweetly because they must have learnt it from beautiful mountains. He further imagines that the river must be bright and must be flowing through fruitful valleys. He expresses his desire to roam about the starry -woods. But the nightingale says that his guess is not right. The mountains are barren and the river is dry. Their song is the expression of unfulfilled desires that keep them restless. It is expression of deep sorrow. Still they can not express their desires in spite of this talent. It is irony that man enjoys it. When in the morning the countless birds start chirping and welcome the dawn, they are lost in dreams.

18.Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Reference:

This beautiful stanza has been taken from the poem “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening” composed by “Robert Frost”.

Context:

Riding on his horse the poet is passing through the woods. Seeing the beauty of woods he decides to stay there for short time and enjoy the beauty but his horse reminds him of his duty by shaking harness bells.

Explanation/Central Idea :

The traveller (the poet) is passing through the woods filled with snow. He thinks perhaps he knows the owner of woods. The beauty of the woods attracts him so much that he decides to stop there. His unusual stoppage surprises his horse and it thinks that he has stopped there by mistake and this is not the right place to stop. The traveller must fulfill his duty before going to sleep. The main point is that duty should be priority and promises should be kept. Every man has many responsibilities. They must be performed at any cost before sleeping eternal sleep (death).

19.Palanquin Bearers

Reference:

These musical lines have been selected from the poem “Palanquin Bearers” composed by “Sarojini Naidu”, the nightingale of India.

Context:

The poetess gives lively picture of four palanquin bearers. They are carrying the palanquin from one place to another. A bride is sitting inside it, so they carrying it slowly and inside softly.

Explanation/Central Idea :

The poetess describes how palanquin bearers are carrying the palanquin. She compares the palanquin with a flower, a bird, a laugh, a pearl on a string, a beam and a tear. When the bearers sing a sweet song, it moves to and fro like a flower. It flies like a bird; floats like a laugh; hangs like a star and springs like a beam. They put the palanquin down as if tears rolled from a bride’s eyes. They sing songs while they move because they want to avoid weariness.

20.The Song of the free

Reference:

These inspiring lines have been taken from the poem “The Song of the free” composed by “Swami Vivekananda”, a great philosopher, a saint and a poet.

Context:

In these lines he gives a clear message that we should not afraid of death and misfortunes and should achieve our goal. He gives the examples of wounded snake, fire, cloud and heart struck-lion.

Explanation/Central Idea :

The saint-poet Swami ji says that we should always be ready to fight challenges. We should not lose our courage. For example a wounded snake opens its hood and excited fire burn brightly. A wounded lion struck by hunter’s arrow roars loudly. We should not be afraid of death because soul is immortal. Nobody can harm our soul. Why should we fear? We should not be bothered if we lose our beloved, friend, eyes and heart. Misfortune and adversity may come but we should enjoy them. They say every black cloud has a silver lining. We have an immortal soul. We should march on right path to the goal.