Explain any two of the excerpts of poems given below with reference to their context: (i) Ye Presences of Nature, in the sky And on the earth ! Ye Visions of the hills ! And Souls of lonely places ! can I think A vulgar hope was yours when ye employedSuch ministry.. (ii) Tyger ! Tyger ! burning bright In the forests of the night,What immortal hand or eye, Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?(iii) My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the workings of his lie(iv) Dying Is an art, like everything else. I do it exceptionally well
Let’s analyze the first two excerpts in detail with reference to their context.
Excerpt (i)
“Ye Presences of Nature, in the sky
And on the earth! Ye Visions of the hills!
And Souls of lonely places! can I think
A vulgar hope was yours when ye employed
Such ministry..”
Context and Explanation:
This excerpt is from “The Prelude” by William Wordsworth, a long autobiographical poem that details the poet’s life and his development as a poet. “The Prelude” is often regarded as Wordsworth’s masterpiece and a central work in Romantic literature.
In this passage, Wordsworth addresses the natural world, invoking the “Presences of Nature” which includes the sky, the earth, the hills, and the “Souls of lonely places.” These entities are personified and treated as spiritual beings with significant influence over human life and thought. Wordsworth reflects on whether these natural elements could have had “vulgar hopes,” suggesting the impossibility that such sublime and profound forces could be driven by ordinary or base desires. Instead, he implies that their “ministry” or influence on humanity must be noble and elevated, serving a higher purpose.
This reflection is central to the Romantic idealization of nature, where nature is seen as a source of wisdom, moral guidance, and inspiration. Wordsworth’s poetry often explores the deep connection between human emotions and the natural world, and this excerpt is a clear illustration of his belief in nature’s divine and transformative power.
Excerpt (ii)
“Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?”
Context and Explanation:
This excerpt is from “The Tyger” by William Blake, one of the most famous poems from his collection “Songs of Experience.” Blake’s works often explore profound questions about creation, innocence, and experience, contrasting the two states of human soul.
In “The Tyger,” Blake addresses the tiger directly, marveling at its beauty and terrifying power. The “burning bright” suggests the tiger’s vivid and powerful presence in the dark, mysterious “forests of the night.” The central question of the poem, “What immortal hand or eye, / Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?” ponders the nature of the creator who could design such a fearsome and beautiful creature.
The poem explores themes of creation and the duality of existence—the balance between beauty and terror, good and evil. By questioning who could create the tiger, Blake raises larger questions about the nature of God and the complexities of the world. The “fearful symmetry” of the tiger symbolizes this dual nature, representing both the awe-inspiring and the frightening aspects of existence. The poem juxtaposes the creation of the tiger with the creation of the lamb (from Blake’s earlier poem “The Lamb” in “Songs of Innocence”), highlighting the contrast between innocence and experience, gentleness and ferocity.
Through this excerpt, Blake’s profound inquiry into the nature of divine creativity and the coexistence of opposing forces in the world is vividly illustrated.