POEMS OLD AND NEW
2. What use does the poet make of colour in Part I ?
3. Point out figurative phrases that are specially vivid.
4. Where is the most exciting point in the story ?
5. Mention any other poems dealing with similar ad-
ventures. Compare them with this poem.
6. Draw a picture of the Highwayman.
The Passionate Shepherd to his Love.
1. What is a "pastoral" poem? Is the pastoral con-
vention justified ? Compare its use in this poem with its
use in " The Scholar Gipsy " (p. 121).
2. Is the shepherd's vision true to life ?
3. Point out examples of alliteration, and of the use of
musical language.
Winter.
1. What winter scenes does Shakespeare suggest ?
2. Point out words denoting (a) movement, (b) inaction.
3. How does Shakespeare emphasise the impression of
cold?
4. What information about country life in Shakespeare's
day can be gathered from the poem ?
5. Write a short description, preferably in verse, of a
winter scene in town or village.
Fidele.
1. What is a dirge ? Is this a good example ? Compare
it with "Soldier, rest!" (p. 107). What 'consolation has
Shakespeare to offer in view of death ?
2. From this poem illustrate Shakespeare's knowledge of
(a) the Old Testament, (b) Aesop's " Fables."
3. Comment on the use of (a) metonymy, (b) pun.
What is the finest epithet in the poem ?
Character of a Happy Life.
1. Compare this ideal of a happy life with those out-
lined in " The Passionate Shepherd " (p. 97) and " Innis-
free" (p. 137). How does this differ in character from the
others ?
2. Write a paragraph (or a short poem) describing your
own ideal of a happy life.
To Celia.
1. What^is a " conceit " ? Point out one in this poem.
2. Rewrite the substance of this poem in prose.
222