KSEEB 10th English Ballad of the Tempest Poem Notes Questions and Answers
Understand the Poem
Question 1.
‘We were crowded in the cabin, Not a soul would dare to sleep’.
a. Who does the word ‘we’ refer to here?
b. Not a soul would dare to sleep why was it so?
Answer:
The word we’ refers to the sailors in the poem. They were crowded in the cabin because of a storm. So, the poet says nobody dared to sleep. They were attentive.
Question 2.
Usually storms are formed in the deep sea. What precaution have the sailors got to take before voyage?
Answer:
The sailors had to take all precautions because they are acquainted with the dangers of the sea. They had to take necessary things with them.
Question 3.
The poet says This is a fearful thing in winter…’ According to the poet, what is referred to as a fearful thing in winter? How would be the condition in the deep sea during winter on the sea?
Answer:
A storm broke out and it was a fearful thing in winter and the condition in the deep sea during winter is that one hears the rattling trumpet and the boat would be shattered by the blast.
Question 4.
How does ‘it’ affect the sailors? (Read the first two stanzas)
Answer:
When the storm cuts away the mast, it affects the sailors. They can’t sleep and they would be afraid.
Question 5.
The speaker and his crew-mates sat in darkness and prayed. What did they hear?
Answer:
The speaker and his crew mates sat in darkness and prayed. They heard the prayers of all the crew.
Question 6.
When the captain shouted “We are lost”, how did his daughter react?
Answer:
The captain shouted, ‘we are lost’ and he moved down the stairs but his daughter reacted in a cool way. She touched his icy hand and said “God is also upon the ocean as he is on the land”.
Question 7.
The crew-mates kissed the maiden and spoke in better cheers. What made them feel cheerful?
Answer:
In this situation they remembered the Almighty and the little girl made them to remember. It boosted their confidence. So they felt cheerful.
Question 8.
‘A ship is always safe at the shore. But it was not built for that’. What does this mean?
Answer:
By this poem we understand that, “A ship is always safe at the shore, but it was not built for that”. It means one has to take risk and lead life. We can’t stand still. We should move on. Another thing is fortune favors the brave. Here, the sailors didn’t lose hope when the captain’s little daughter spoke of God.
Read and Appreciate
Question 1.
The poet uses the phrase ‘the hungry sea’. What can the reader imagine from this? What is the figure of speech employed in the lines 11 and 12?
Answer:
The poet uses the phrase “The hungry sea” only to show that it is the rage of the sea and one could describe the uproar of the sea. And the figure of speech employed here is Personification. We also notice Synecdoche, alliteration and rich imagery in the poem.
Question 2.
The poet uses expressions which are unusual, evocative and rhythmic. Some examples are given with explanation
Answer:
Expression — why the expression is unusual
a. ‘not a soul would — use of synecdoche sleep’ (part for the whole) and emphasis
b. ‘rattling trumpet’ — use of alliteration
c. ‘hungry sea roaring’– personification
d. ‘shuddered in silence’– Imagery (of fear)
[image of movement, image of one imposing (covering) on the other, onomatopoeia, (tactile) sense of touch, personification.]