Welcome to our blog, In this post, we’re sharing the IGNOU MEG 1 Solved Question Paper of June 2018 examination, focusing on British Poetry.
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Question 1
1) Explain any two of the following passages with reference to their contexts and supply brief critical comments where necessary :
(a) Was it a dreame, or did I see it playne ?
A goodly table of pure yvory,
All spred with juncats, fit to entertayne
The greatest Prince with pompous roialty.
Answer –
In the opening lines of Edmund Spenser’s Sonnet LXXVII, “Was it a dreame, or did I see it playne? A goodly table of pure yvory, All spred with juncats, fit to entertayne The greatest Prince with pompous roialty,” the speaker questions the reality of a vision, asking whether what he witnessed was a dream or a tangible experience. The “goodly table of pure yvory” symbolizes purity and luxury, setting the scene for a feast that could entertain a “Prince with pompous roialty,” suggesting that the vision is not just of any ordinary table but one of regal and divine significance.
This passage reflects the central theme of the sonnet, where Spenser metaphorically describes the beloved’s body, particularly her breast, as a richly adorned table. The “juncats” (a type of sweet delicacy) spread on the table represent both the physical beauty and the spiritual purity of the beloved, implying that she is as nourishing to the soul as the most exquisite of feasts. The imagery of a royal banquet heightens the sense of reverence and admiration the speaker has for the beloved, indicating that her beauty and virtue are fit for the highest levels of admiration, even divine.
Critically, this sonnet blends Petrarchan idealization with a more physical appreciation of beauty, showcasing Spenser’s ability to fuse spiritual and earthly love. The initial question, “Was it a dreame, or did I see it playne?” also introduces an element of doubt, a common feature in Renaissance poetry, where the speaker is often caught between reality and illusion, further emphasizing the ethereal and almost unattainable nature of the beloved’s beauty.
(b) Thou by the Indian Ganges’ side.
Should’st Rubies find : I by the Tide
Of Humber would complain. I would
Love you ten years before the Flood;
And you should if you please refuse
Till the Conversion of the Jews.
Answer –
In these lines from Andrew Marvell’s “To His Coy Mistress,” the speaker uses hyperbolic imagery to express the depth and enduring nature of his love if they had infinite time. The reference to the “Indian Ganges” and “Humber” highlights the vast geographical and cultural differences between the speaker and his mistress. The Ganges, a symbol of exotic beauty and richness, contrasts with the more familiar and mundane Humber River in England. The speaker suggests that, if time were limitless, they could indulge in their love leisurely—she could search for rubies by the Ganges, a metaphor for her beauty and value, while he would remain devoted, even complaining by the Humber’s tide, reflecting his constancy.
The mention of “ten years before the Flood” and “the Conversion of the Jews” further exaggerates the span of time he is willing to wait. The reference to the Biblical flood signifies a time before the world as it is known, indicating a willingness to love her from the beginning of time. The phrase “Conversion of the Jews” refers to a moment in Christian eschatology believed to occur at the end of the world, reinforcing the idea of an eternal wait.
However, the speaker’s exaggerated promises are ironic because they serve to highlight the absurdity of such waiting, considering their finite existence. The underlying message is that time is fleeting, and the speaker uses this grand imagery to persuade his mistress to seize the moment and embrace their love now, rather than delaying it endlessly. This blend of hyperbole and irony exemplifies Marvell’s mastery of metaphysical poetry, where wit and paradox are employed to convey complex emotional states.
(c) Ring out, ye crystal spheres !
Once bless our human ears,
If ye have power to touch our senses so;
And let your silver chime
Move in melodious time;
Answer –
In these lines from John Milton’s “On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity,” the speaker calls upon the “crystal spheres” to ring out and bless the world with their divine music. The “crystal spheres” refer to the ….
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(d) He enter’d but he enter’d full of wrath;
His flaming robes stream’d out
beyond his heels,
And gave a roar, as if of earthly fire,
That scar’d away the meek ethereal Hours
Answer –
In John Keats’s Hyperion, the excerpt explores the downfall of Saturn, the former ruler of the Titans, and the rise of a new era led by the Olympian gods. The passage begins with Saturn, once a powerful god, now reduced to a motionless, dejected figure in a desolate forest. His defeat is emphasized by the stillness around him, symbolizing his loss of divine power and the abandonment of the natural world that once thrived under his reign.
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(e) Why, what could she have done, being what she is ?
Was there another Troy for her to burn ?
Answer –
In the concluding lines of William Butler Yeats’s poem No Second Troy, the speaker reflects on the nature and actions of the woman who has caused him emotional turmoil, often interpreted as Maud Gonne, a political activist and the poet’s unrequited love. The lines “Why, what could she have done, being what she is? / Was there another Troy for her to burn?” suggest an inevitability to her behavior, as though her passionate and destructive nature was predetermined by her character.
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Question 2
2) Chaucer wrote, `[T]he wordes moote be cosyn to the dede’. Comment on Chaucer’s poetry in light of his aim.
Answer –
Chaucer’s statement that “the wordes moote be cosyn to the dede” (the words must be akin to the deeds) reflects his belief that poetry should be true to life, mirroring the realities and actions of people. This idea is central to Chaucer’s literary approach, particularly in The Canterbury Tales, where he masterfully blends vivid characterization with realistic and relatable situations, making his characters and their stories resonate with authenticity.
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Question 3
3) ‘Metaphysical poetry, according to Herbert Grierson, is a poetry which has been inspired by a philosophical conception of the Universe and the role assigned to the human spirit in the great drama of existence.’ Examine this opinion in the light of your reading of any two of the following poets : Donne, Herbert, Marvell.
Answer –
Herbert Grierson’s description of metaphysical poetry as being “inspired by a philosophical conception of the Universe and the role assigned to the human spirit in the great drama of existence” aptly captures the essence of this genre. Metaphysical poets like John Donne and George Herbert, along with Andrew Marvell, exemplify this idea through their exploration of complex philosophical ideas, expressed with intellectual rigor and deep emotional intensity.
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Question 4
4) Evaluate The Triumph of Life in the light of the opinion that “Shelley achieves the sublime”.
Answer –
Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “The Triumph of Life” is often considered a pinnacle of his poetic achievement, embodying the sublime both in its thematic exploration and its stylistic execution. The poem, left unfinished at Shelley’s death, presents a vivid and haunting vision of life’s inexorable power over humanity, blending profound philosophical inquiry with a masterful command of poetic form.
Shelley’s conception of the sublime is evident in his portrayal of the overwhelming force of life, which he personifies as an unstoppable and indifferent power. The poem opens with a vision of a grand procession, where all of humanity—past and present—are inexorably drawn along by the “triumph” of life. This image of a vast, relentless force captures the essence of the sublime, as it evokes both awe and terror in its depiction of the insignificance of individual human lives in the face of such overwhelming power. The sublime here is not just an aesthetic experience but a profound recognition of the limits of human agency and the inevitability of life’s dominance.
Shelley’s use of imagery and language further enhances the poem’s sublime quality. His descriptions are marked by a combination of beauty and horror, reflecting the dual nature of the sublime. For example, the “icy multitude” of people swept up in the procession suggests a chilling loss of individuality and free will, while the “phantoms of the dead” evoke a sense of dread and mortality. The poem’s shifting landscapes—ranging from visions of desolation to fleeting glimpses of ideal beauty—reinforce the idea that life is an unpredictable and uncontrollable force. This dynamic interplay between the beautiful and the terrifying is central to Shelley’s achievement of the sublime.
Moreover, the philosophical underpinnings of “The Triumph of Life” contribute to its sublimity. The poem grapples with profound existential questions: What is the purpose of life? What is the nature of human suffering? Shelley does not offer easy answers but instead presents a vision of life as a paradoxical and inscrutable force. The figure of Rousseau, who appears as a guide in the poem, symbolizes the search for knowledge and understanding, yet even he is ultimately powerless before the triumph of life. This recognition of the limits of human knowledge and the inescapable nature of life’s mysteries aligns with the Romantic conception of the sublime, where the acknowledgment of humanity’s fragility in the face of the infinite becomes a source of both fear and wonder.
In conclusion, “The Triumph of Life” is a profound exploration of the sublime, where Shelley achieves a powerful synthesis of thematic depth and poetic form. Through his portrayal of life’s overwhelming force, his evocative use of imagery, and his engagement with existential questions, Shelley creates a work that not only reflects the Romantic ideal of the sublime but also stands as one of the most compelling expressions of this concept in English literature.
Question 5
5) Would you agree with the point of view that Oscar Wilde’s The Ballad of Reading Gaol suggests the futility of Christian ethics and loss of faith in Christianity ? Illustrate your answer with suitable examples from the text of the poem.
Answer –
Oscar Wilde’s “The Ballad of Reading Gaol” can indeed be interpreted as expressing skepticism towards Christian ethics and a loss of faith in Christianity, though Wilde’s critique is nuanced and multifaceted. The poem, written during Wilde’s imprisonment, reflects his deep disillusionment with the moral and religious institutions of his time, as well as his personal suffering.
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Question 6
6) Write a critique of W.B. Yeats as a modernist poet.
Answer –
W.B. Yeats, a pivotal figure in modernist literature, demonstrates a complex engagement with modernist themes and techniques. His poetry reflects a transitional phase between late Victorian aesthetics and modernist experimentation, making him a key figure in understanding the evolution of modernist poetry.
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Question 7
7) Critically evaluate any one of the following poems :
(a) `Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came’
(b) ‘A Valediction : Forbidding Mourning’
(c) ‘Mr Bleaney’
(d) ‘The Colossus’
(e) ‘Fern Hill’
(a) `Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came’
Robert Browning’s “Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came” stands as a significant piece within the Victorian poetic canon, emblematic of Browning’s dramatic monologue form and his fascination with psychological and existential themes. The poem chronicles a quest narrative that probes deep into themes of despair, perseverance, and the search for meaning in a seemingly hostile and indifferent world.
The poem’s structure, a dramatic monologue, serves as a vessel for exploring the internal landscape of the speaker, Childe Roland. The narrative unfolds through Roland’s perspective, allowing Browning to delve into his psychological state and existential reflections. This approach is crucial in modernist poetry, where the inner workings of the mind and the subjective experience become central. Roland’s journey to the Dark Tower represents not merely a physical quest but an exploration of his own psychological and spiritual crises.
Browning’s use of vivid and often grotesque imagery contributes to the poem’s sense of bleakness and desolation. The landscape Roland traverses is marked by a harsh and unforgiving terrain, mirroring his internal turmoil. Descriptions such as “starved ignoble nature” and “grass, it grew as scant as hair in leprosy” evoke a sense of barrenness and decay, which aligns with the modernist preoccupation with the fragmented and deteriorating state of human existence.
The poem also reflects modernist concerns with the fragmentation of traditional values and the sense of a purposeless quest. Roland’s journey is fraught with failure and disillusionment, encapsulated in his realization that “all the doubt was now—should I be fit?” This introspection highlights the modernist theme of existential uncertainty and the questioning of one’s purpose in a world that appears indifferent to individual suffering and effort.
Furthermore, Browning’s use of symbolism and mythological references enriches the text, aligning it with modernist techniques. The Dark Tower itself symbolizes an elusive and perhaps unattainable goal, representing the ultimate challenge and the existential pursuit of meaning. The Tower’s isolation and the sense of foreboding that surrounds it underscore the futility and hardship inherent in Roland’s quest, echoing the modernist theme of the human struggle against a seemingly indifferent universe.
In conclusion, “Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came” exemplifies Browning’s modernist tendencies through its exploration of psychological depth, use of stark and evocative imagery, and engagement with existential themes. The poem’s narrative structure and thematic concerns reflect a profound engagement with the modernist preoccupation with meaning, despair, and the human condition, making it a crucial work in understanding the evolution of modernist literature.
(b) ‘A Valediction : Forbidding Mourning’
Robert Browning’s “Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came” is a compelling exploration of the themes of failure, perseverance, and existential dread. The poem follows Roland on a grim quest to reach the Dark Tower, a journey fraught with obstacles and despair, culminating in a revelation that underscores the bleakness of his mission.
The poem opens with Roland’s skepticism towards a misleading old man who directs him towards the Dark Tower. This initial sense of betrayal sets the tone for the ensuing journey, marked by a landscape that reflects Roland’s inner turmoil. The desolate environment, described as “starved ignoble nature,” underscores the futility and bleakness of his quest, while the imagery of a “stiff blind horse” and “thin dry blades” evokes a sense of decay and desolation.
Roland’s journey is not just physical but also psychological. His reflections on past failures and the sight of his peers’ fates—“all the lost adventurers my peers”—heighten the sense of inevitable doom. The poem’s portrayal of the landscape, from the “bog, clay and rubble” to the “palsied oak,” mirrors Roland’s growing despair and the sense of being trapped in a nightmarish cycle of hopelessness.
The climax reveals the Dark Tower itself, described as a “round squat turret” that stands as a symbol of ultimate failure. The tower, devoid of grandeur, reflects Roland’s disillusionment. His final act of defiance, blowing the slug-horn and proclaiming his arrival, is both a triumph and a surrender. It represents Roland’s resignation to his fate and his acceptance of the futility of his quest.
Browning’s use of language and imagery reinforces the poem’s themes. The oppressive atmosphere, the grotesque descriptions of the landscape, and the depiction of Roland’s psychological struggle all contribute to a narrative that examines the nature of perseverance in the face of insurmountable odds. The poem is a study of existential struggle, illustrating how the quest for meaning can lead to a profound sense of despair and futility.
In summary, “Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came” offers a rich exploration of human resilience and despair. Through its bleak imagery and Roland’s introspective journey, Browning delves into the darker aspects of human experience, making the poem a powerful commentary on the nature of quest and the acceptance of one’s fate.
(c) ‘Mr Bleaney’
Philip Larkin’s poem “Mr Bleaney” offers a stark reflection on the nature of existence and the passage of time through the lens
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(d) ‘The Colossus’
Sylvia Plath’s poem “The Colossus” is a powerful exploration of the themes of loss, incompleteness, and the struggle for understanding.
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(e) ‘Fern Hill’
Dylan Thomas’s poem “Fern Hill” reflects on the exuberance of childhood and the inevitable passage of time.
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