POEMS OLD AND NEW
like a human being. Does Scott succeed, in this poem, in
making the device seem natural ?
Bishop Hatto.
1. Point out any respect in which this poem seems far-
fetched or unnatural.
2. Tell briefly any other story that would serve as the
theme of a similar poem—a story in which animals carry
out a just revenge.
La Belle Dame sans Merci.
1. How has Keats departed from the usual ballad stanza ?
2. What features of the ballad does he retain ?
3. Point out words and phrases by which he builds up an
atmosphere of magic. Compare the poem and its effect
with " The Listeners " by Walter de la Mare.
4. Name other poems that deal with supernatural events.
How do they resemble or differ from this poem ?
5. Quote phrases to show that Keats was a master of the
horrible. Compare these with similar descriptions by any
other poet.
6. Compare the first two stanzas with the description
in the " Ode to Autumn " (p. 117).
7. Draw a picture of the " Belle Dame sans Merci.'5
The Knight's Leap.
1. What is the grim joke in the poem ? What light
does it throw on the knight's character ? Is the knight a
real hero ?
2. How is the style of the poem in keeping with the
character of the knight ?
3. Write a short description of the life of knights in the
Middle Ages, and of the manner of this knight in particular.
Horatius.
1. What is meant by " suspense " in a story ? At what
Eoint in this poem is the suspense most acute ? Is it
andled effectively ?
2. Write a paragraph describing Roman society as
Macaulay pictures it.
3. Comment on Macaulay*s similes. Are they effective ?
4. Write an argument defending or attacking " The
Brave Days of Old."
Shameful Death.
i. Does the poet's departure from the chronological
order of events* improve the narrative ?
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