THE GLOVE AND THE LION
By Leigh Hunt
King Francis was a hearty king, and loved a royal sport,
And one day as his lions fought, sat looking on the court;
The nobles filled the benches, and the ladies in their pride,
And 'mongst them sat the Count de Lorge, with one for whom he sighed:
And truly 'twas a gallant thing to see that crowning show,
Valour and love, and a king above, and the royal beasts below.
Ramped and roared the lions, with horrid laughing jaws;
They bit, they glared, gave blows like beams, a wind went with their paws;
With wallowing might and stifled roar they rolled on one another;
Till all the pit with sand and mane was in a thunderous smother;
The bloody foam above the bars came whisking through the air;
Said Francis then, "Faith, gentlemen, we're better here than there."
De Lorge's love o'erheard the King, a beauteous lively dame
With smiling lips and sharp bright eyes, which always seemed the same;
She thought, the Count my lover is brave as brave can be;
He surely would do wondrous things to show his love of me;
King, ladies, lovers, all look on; the occasion is divine;
I'll drop my glove, to prove his love; great glory will be mine.
She dropped her glove, to prove his love, then looked at him and smiled;
He bowed, and in a moment leaped among the lions wild:
The leap was quick, return was quick, he has regained his place,
Then threw the glove, but not with love, right in the lady's face.
"By God!" said Francis, "rightly done!" and he rose from where he sat:
"No love," quoth he, "but vanity, sets love a task like that."
Glossary
Hearty: Cheerful and energetic / खुशमिजाज और उत्साही
Royal sport: Games or activities fit for a King / शाही खेल
Sighed: Felt a deep longing or love for someone / आहें भरना (प्रेम में)
Gallant: Brave and grand / भव्य और साहसी
Valour: Great courage in the face of danger / वीरता या पराक्रम
Ramped: Stood on hind legs (like a lion) / पिछले पैरों पर खड़ा होना (आक्रामक मुद्रा में)
Horrid: Very unpleasant or scary / भयानक या डरावना
Beams: Heavy pieces of wood (referring to the strength of lion's paws) / भारी प्रहार (लकड़ी के लट्ठों जैसे)
Wallowing: Rolling around / लोट-पोट होना
Stifled: Suffocated or suppressed / दुक गई (आवाज)
Smother: A thick cloud of dust or smoke / धूल या धुएं का गुबार
Whisking: Moving quickly through the air / तेजी से हवा में उड़ना
Beauteous: Very beautiful / अत्यंत सुंदर
Lively dame: An energetic lady / एक चंचल और उत्साही महिला
Divine: Excellent or god-like / दिव्य या शानदार
Quoth: Said (old English) / कहा (पुराना अंग्रेजी शब्द)
Vanity: Excessive pride in one's own appearance or achievements / घमंड या दिखावा
Task: A piece of work or duty / कार्य या चुनौती
Crowning: Complete / perfect / सर्वोच्च या परम
Mane: Long hair on the neck (of a lion) / शेर की गर्दन के बाल
Glares: Stares angrily / घूरना या आंखें दिखाना
Pride: A group of lions / शेरों का समूह
Wondrous: Wonderful or extraordinary / अद्भुत या आश्चर्यजनक
Bow: To bend down in respect / सिर झुकाना या नमस्कार करना
Leaped: Jumped / कूदना
Regained: Got back to a place / वापस प्राप्त करना या लौटना
Glory: Cause of pride or pleasure / गर्व या आनंद का कारण
Enamoured: Charmed or delighted / मोहित या आकर्षित
Vivacious: Full of life and energy / जीवंत या चंचल
Dame: A young lady / एक युवती या महिला
Summary of the Poem
“The Glove and the Lion” is a narrative poem that highlights the contrast between true courage and foolish vanity. Through a dramatic incident at the court of King Francis, the poet exposes how pride and desire for admiration can misuse love and bravery.
The poem opens by introducing King Francis, a strong and lively ruler who enjoys royal sports. One day, he sits in his court watching a fierce fight between lions. The court is filled with nobles and beautifully dressed ladies, all watching the thrilling spectacle. Among them is Count de Lorge, a brave knight, seated beside a lady he deeply loves. The scene is grand and impressive, combining courage, romance, royalty, and raw animal power.
The lions fight savagely in the arena. They roar, glare, strike each other fiercely, and roll about with terrifying strength. Their jaws laugh horribly, blood and foam fly through the air, and the whole pit becomes a scene of chaos and danger. Watching this violent display, King Francis remarks that he and his courtiers are far safer sitting where they are than being inside the arena with the lions.
The Count’s beloved overhears the King’s remark. She is described as a beautiful, lively woman with a charming smile and sharp, bright eyes. Proud of her lover’s bravery, she begins to think that Count de Lorge would do anything extraordinary to prove his love for her. Desiring admiration and glory for herself, she decides to test him publicly. Believing the moment to be perfect, she drops her glove into the lion pit, intending to challenge him to retrieve it.
After dropping the glove, she smiles at the Count, expecting him to accept the challenge as proof of his devotion. Count de Lorge bows politely and, without hesitation, leaps into the arena among the wild lions. His action is swift and fearless. He quickly picks up the glove and returns safely to his seat, astonishing everyone present.
However, instead of offering the glove back lovingly, the Count throws it sharply into the lady’s face. His action shocks the court. King Francis immediately approves of the Count’s response and rises from his seat in admiration. He declares that such a reckless test is not inspired by love but by vanity. According to the King, true love does not demand dangerous and humiliating proofs.
Central Idea of the poem
The poem teaches that true love is based on respect and understanding, not on showing off or forcing others into danger for personal pride. While Count de Lorge proves his courage, he also exposes the lady’s vanity. Leigh Hunt makes it clear that bravery should never be exploited to satisfy ego, and love should never be turned into a public test of risk and spectacle.
कविता का हिंदी सारांश
“द ग्लव एंड द लायन” एक कथात्मक कविता है, जो सच्चे साहस और खोखली अहंकारपूर्ण दिखावे के बीच के अंतर को उजागर करती है। राजा फ़्रांसिस के दरबार में घटित एक नाटकीय घटना के माध्यम से कवि यह स्पष्ट करता है कि प्रेम और वीरता का उपयोग आत्म-प्रशंसा और घमंड के लिए नहीं किया जाना चाहिए।
कविता की शुरुआत राजा फ़्रांसिस के परिचय से होती है। वे एक हृष्ट-पुष्ट और उत्साही राजा हैं जिन्हें शाही खेलों का बहुत शौक है। एक दिन वे अपने दरबार में बैठे हुए शेरों की भयानक लड़ाई देख रहे होते हैं। चारों ओर दरबारी, कुलीन जन और सजी-धजी महिलाएँ बैठी होती हैं। उन्हीं में काउंट डी लॉर्ज भी अपनी प्रिय के साथ उपस्थित होता है। पूरा दृश्य अत्यंत भव्य और रोमांचकारी होता है—ऊपर राजा, नीचे भयानक पशु, और बीच में प्रेम व वीरता का अद्भुत संगम।
शेर अत्यंत क्रूरता से लड़ते हैं। वे गरजते हैं, दहाड़ते हैं, एक-दूसरे पर तीव्र प्रहार करते हैं और पूरे मैदान को उथल-पुथल कर देते हैं। उनके मुँह से खून और झाग उड़ता है और सारा अखाड़ा भय और आतंक से भर जाता है। इस दृश्य को देखकर राजा फ़्रांसिस कहते हैं कि वे लोग वहाँ बैठकर कहीं अधिक सुरक्षित हैं, बजाय इसके कि शेरों के बीच हों।
काउंट डी लॉर्ज की प्रेमिका राजा की यह बात सुन लेती है। वह एक सुंदर, चंचल और तेज़ आँखों वाली महिला है। उसे अपने प्रेमी के साहस पर बहुत गर्व है। वह सोचती है कि उसका प्रेमी अपने प्रेम को सिद्ध करने के लिए कोई भी जोखिम उठा सकता है। स्वयं की प्रशंसा और गौरव पाने की इच्छा से प्रेरित होकर वह एक साहसी परंतु मूर्खतापूर्ण योजना बनाती है। वह अपने दस्ताने को शेरों के बीच गिरा देती है, ताकि काउंट उसे उठाकर अपने प्रेम का प्रमाण दे।
दस्ताना गिराने के बाद वह मुस्कराकर काउंट की ओर देखती है। काउंट डी लॉर्ज विनम्रता से झुकता है और बिना किसी संकोच के शेरों के बीच छलाँग लगा देता है। उसका यह कार्य अत्यंत शीघ्र और निर्भीक होता है। वह दस्ताना उठाकर सुरक्षित वापस लौट आता है और सभी को चकित कर देता है।
लेकिन इसके बाद वह दस्ताने को प्रेमपूर्वक लौटाने के बजाय, उसे ज़ोर से उस महिला के चेहरे पर फेंक देता है। पूरा दरबार स्तब्ध रह जाता है। राजा फ़्रांसिस उठ खड़े होते हैं और काउंट के इस कार्य की प्रशंसा करते हैं। वे कहते हैं कि ऐसा खतरनाक परीक्षण प्रेम नहीं, बल्कि घमंड और दिखावा है। सच्चा प्रेम किसी से जान जोखिम में डालने की माँग नहीं करता।
केंद्रीय भाव / संदेश
इस कविता का मुख्य संदेश यह है कि सच्चा प्रेम सम्मान और समझ पर आधारित होता है, न कि दिखावे और अहंकार पर। काउंट डी लॉर्ज अपने साहस का परिचय देता है, लेकिन साथ ही वह अपनी प्रेमिका की व्यर्थ की महत्वाकांक्षा को भी उजागर कर देता है। ली हंट यह स्पष्ट करते हैं कि वीरता का दुरुपयोग आत्म-संतोष या सामाजिक प्रशंसा के लिए नहीं होना चाहिए, और प्रेम को कभी भी खतरनाक परीक्षा का रूप नहीं देना चाहिए।
MCQs
1. Who is the poet of “The Glove and the Lion”?
A. Lord Byron
B. Leigh Hunt
C. John Keats
D. Alfred Tennyson
Answer: B. Leigh Hunt
2. King Francis loved which kind of sport?
A. Hunting deer
B. Jousting
C. Watching lions fight
D. Horse racing
Answer: C. Watching lions fight
3. Where was King Francis sitting while watching the lions?
A. In the arena
B. In the pit
C. On the court
D. On the battlefield
Answer: C. On the court
4. Who filled the benches in the court?
A. Soldiers and guards
B. Merchants and priests
C. Nobles and ladies
D. Peasants and workers
Answer: C. Nobles and ladies
5. Among the nobles sat Count de Lorge with—
A. His sister
B. His wife
C. A lady he loved
D. The Queen
Answer: C. A lady he loved
6. The phrase “for whom he sighed” shows—
A. Fear
B. Anger
C. Love
D. Hatred
Answer: C. Love
7. What makes the scene a “crowning show”?
A. Music and dance
B. Valour, love, king, and lions
C. War and victory
D. Feast and celebration
Answer: B. Valour, love, king, and lions
8. How are the lions described in the poem?
A. Calm and silent
B. Playful and gentle
C. Ramped and roaring
D. Lazy and sleeping
Answer: C. Ramped/ Stormed/ Raged and roaring
9. “Blows like beams” is an example of—
A. Metaphor
B. Simile
C. Alliteration
D. Personification
Answer: B. Simile
10. What filled the pit during the fight?
A. Blood and bones
B. Smoke and fire
C. Sand and mane
D. Water and mud
Answer: C. Sand and mane/ tresses /head of hair
11. What reaction does King Francis give during the fight?
A. Fear
B. Boredom
C. Relief at being safe
D. Pity for lions
Answer: C. Relief at being safe
12. Who overheard King Francis’ remark?
A. Count de Lorge
B. A courtier
C. De Lorge’s beloved
D. A soldier
Answer: C. De Lorge’s beloved
13. How is the lady described?
A. Proud and cruel
B. Wise and silent
C. Beauteous and lively
D. Shy and timid
Answer: C. Beauteous[beautiful/lively] and lively
14. The lady believes Count de Lorge is—
A. Cowardly
B. Foolish
C. Brave
D. Weak
Answer: C. Brave
15. Why does the lady drop her glove?
A. By accident
B. To amuse the king
C. To test her lover’s love
D. To distract the lions
Answer: C. To test her lover’s love
16. Dropping the glove reflects the lady’s—
A. True love
B. Vanity
C. Innocence
D. Fear
Answer: B. Vanity
17. What does Count de Lorge do after the glove is dropped?
A. Ignores it
B. Cries out
C. Jumps among the lions
D. Leaves the court
Answer: C. Jumps among the lions
18. How is the leap described?
A. Slow and fearful
B. Long and painful
C. Quick and bold
D. Careless and weak
Answer: C. Quick and bold
19. What does Count de Lorge do after returning safely?
A. Keeps the glove
B. Hands it politely
C. Throws it in the lady’s face
D. Gives it to the king
Answer: C. Throws it in the lady’s face
20. Throwing the glove shows his—
A. Anger and pride
B. Fear
C. Cruelty
D. Shame
Answer: A. Anger and pride
21. King Francis’ reaction to de Lorge’s act is—
A. Anger
B. Disapproval
C. Praise
D. Shock
Answer: C. Praise
22. “By God! rightly done!” suggests—
A. Sarcasm
B. Admiration
C. Doubt
D. Fear
Answer: B. Admiration
23. According to King Francis, what sets such a task?
A. True love
B. Honour
C. Courage
D. Vanity
Answer: D. Vanity
24. The central theme of the poem is—
A. Bravery in war
B. Love versus vanity
C. Man versus nature
D. Royal entertainment
Answer: B. Love versus vanity
25. The poem criticizes—
A. Kings
B. Lions
C. False tests of love
D. Court life
Answer: C. False tests of love
26. Count de Lorge proves his bravery by—
A. Fighting the king
B. Facing lions
C. Saving a lady
D. Winning a duel
Answer: B. Facing lions
27. The poem’s tone is mainly—
A. Tragic
B. Humorous
C. Satirical and moral
D. Romantic only
Answer: C. Satirical and moral
28. Lions in the poem symbolize—
A. Beauty
B. Love
C. Danger and death
D. Royalty
Answer: C. Danger and death
29. The lady’s action mainly reflects—
A. Sacrifice
B. Wisdom
C. Selfish pride
D. Loyalty
Answer: C. Selfish pride
30. The moral of the poem is—
A. Love demands sacrifice
B. Courage is foolish
C. True love should not be tested by vanity
D. Kings are always right
Answer: C. True love should not be tested by vanity
Who Said ?/ Who Said to Whom?
1. “Faith, gentlemen, we're better here than there.”
Who said this and in what context?
Answer: King Francis said this to the courtiers while watching the fierce fight of the lions, meaning they were safer in the gallery than in the arena.
2. “King Francis was a hearty king, and loved a royal sport.”
Who says this and about whom?
Answer: The poet Leigh Hunt says this about King Francis, describing his love for royal sports and spectacles.
3. “And 'mongst them sat the Count de Lorge, with one for whom he sighed.”
Who says this and who is being referred to?
Answer: The poet says this about Count de Lorge, referring to the lady he loved.
4. “He surely would do wondrous things to show his love of me.”
Who thinks this and about whom?
Answer: The lady (Count de Lorge’s beloved) thinks this about the Count, believing he would do anything to prove his love.
5. “I'll drop my glove, to prove his love; great glory will be mine.”
Who says/thinks this and what does it reveal?
Answer: The lady thinks this. It reveals her vanity and desire for public admiration.
6. “She dropped her glove, to prove his love, then looked at him and smiled.”
Who says this and what action is described?
Answer: The poet says this, describing the lady dropping her glove into the lion pit to test the Count’s love.
7. “He bowed, and in a moment leaped among the lions wild.”
Who says this and about whom?
Answer: The poet says this about Count de Lorge, describing his brave and immediate action.
8. “By God!” said Francis, “rightly done!”
Who said this and why?
Answer: King Francis said this in praise of Count de Lorge’s bold action and his rejection of the lady’s vain test.
9. “Then threw the glove, but not with love, right in the lady's face.”
Who says this and what does it signify?
Answer: The poet says this. It signifies the Count’s anger and his rejection of the lady’s vanity.
10. “No love,” quoth he, “but vanity, sets love a task like that.”
Who said this and to whom?
Answer: King Francis said this to the court, explaining that such a dangerous test arises from vanity, not true love.
11. “Valour and love, and a king above, and the royal beasts below.”
Who says this and what scene is described?
Answer: The poet says this, describing the grand scene of bravery, love, royalty, and the lions in the arena.
12. “The nobles filled the benches, and the ladies in their pride.”
Who says this and what is conveyed?
Answer: The poet says this, conveying the presence of proud nobles and ladies watching the spectacle.
MCQS: Stanza: 1
1. King Francis was described as
a) cruel
b) hearty
c) weak
d) gloomy
Answer: b) hearty
2. King Francis loved
a) poetry
b) hunting
c) a royal sport
d) music
Answer: c) a royal sport
3. What were the lions doing?
a) Sleeping
b) Roaring
c) Fighting
d) Running
Answer: c) Fighting
4. Where was King Francis sitting?
a) On the throne
b) In the gallery
c) On the court
d) In the arena
Answer: c) On the court
5. Who filled the benches?
a) Soldiers
b) Citizens
c) Nobles
d) Servants
Answer: c) Nobles
6. Who sat “in their pride”?
a) The nobles
b) The ladies
c) The soldiers
d) The courtiers
Answer: b) The ladies
7. Which nobleman is mentioned by name?
a) Count Paris
b) Count de Lorge
c) Count Angelo
d) Count Lorenzo
Answer: b) Count de Lorge
8. The Count de Lorge was sitting with
a) his wife
b) his sister
c) a lady he loved
d) the king
Answer: c) a lady he loved
9. The word “sighed” suggests
a) anger
b) sorrow
c) love
d) fear
Answer: c) love
10. The sight is described as
a) fearful
b) terrible
c) gallant
d) dull
Answer: c) gallant
11. What made the show “crowning”?
a) Wealth, power, pride
b) Valour, love, and a king
c) Lions, ladies, nobles
d) Music, dance, feast
Answer: b) Valour, love, and a king
12. Who was placed “above” in the scene?
a) The nobles
b) The ladies
c) The king
d) The lions
Answer: c) The king
13. Who were “below” in the scene?
a) Nobles
b) Ladies
c) Courtiers
d) Royal beasts
Answer: d) Royal beasts
14. The “royal beasts” refer to
a) horses
b) elephants
c) lions
d) bulls
Answer: c) lions
15. The poem shows a contrast between
a) rich and poor
b) love and hate
c) king and beasts
d) youth and age
Answer: c) king and beasts
16. The court was mainly a place of
a) judgment
b) entertainment
c) punishment
d) worship
Answer: b) entertainment
17. The nobles were seated on
a) thrones
b) chairs
c) benches
d) steps
Answer: c) benches
18. The poem reflects a society that enjoyed
a) peace
b) war
c) cruelty as sport
d) farming
Answer: c) cruelty as sport
19. The tone of the extract is mainly
a) humorous
b) admiring
c) tragic
d) sarcastic
Answer: b) admiring
20. The word “valour” refers to
a) beauty
b) courage
c) wealth
d) pride
Answer: b) courage
One-Mark Questions
1. Who was the king mentioned in the poem?
Answer: King Francis.
2. What kind of king was King Francis?
Answer: A hearty king.
3. What did King Francis love?
Answer: A royal sport.
4. What spectacle was King Francis watching?
Answer: Lions fighting.
5. Where was the king sitting while watching the lions?
Answer: On the court.
6. Who filled the benches during the spectacle?
Answer: The nobles.
7. Who sat in pride among the spectators?
Answer: The ladies.
8. Which nobleman is specifically named in the poem?
Answer: The Count de Lorge.
9. With whom was the Count de Lorge seated?
Answer: With a lady he loved.
10. What feeling did the Count de Lorge have for the lady?
Answer: He sighed for her (loved her).
11. What word is used to describe the sight of the gathering?
Answer: Gallant.
12. What three elements made the show “crowning”?
Answer: Valour, love, and a king.
13. Who was above everyone in the scene?
Answer: The king.
14. Where were the royal beasts positioned?
Answer: Below.
15. What animals are referred to as “royal beasts”?
Answer: Lions.
16. What sport is described as “royal”?
Answer: Watching lions fight.
17. Who were seated on benches?
Answer: The nobles.
18. What emotion is associated with the Count de Lorge?
Answer: Love.
19. Which word suggests bravery in the poem?
Answer: Valour.
20. What word shows admiration for the scene?
Answer: Gallant.
21. Who is the central spectator of the event?
Answer: King Francis.
22. What filled the court during the event?
Answer: Spectators—nobles and ladies.
23. What activity were the lions engaged in?
Answer: Fighting.
24. Which line indicates social hierarchy?
Answer: “And a king above, and the royal beasts below.”
25. What does “’mongst” mean in the poem?
Answer: Among.
26. What type of gathering is described in the extract?
Answer: A royal spectacle.
27. Which quality of the king is highlighted first?
Answer: His hearty nature.
28. What does the word “sighed” imply about the Count?
Answer: He was in love.
29. Who are described as watching in pride?
Answer: The ladies.
30. What makes the scene visually impressive?
Answer: The presence of valour, love, royalty, and lions.
Two-Mark Questions
1. Describe King Francis as presented in the extract.
Answer: King Francis is portrayed as a hearty and pleasure-loving monarch who enjoys royal sports. He sits calmly watching lions fight, showing his authority and taste for grand spectacles that combine power, bravery, and entertainment.
2. What scene is described in the royal court?
Answer: The poem describes a magnificent royal spectacle where lions are fighting in the court. The king watches from above, nobles fill the benches, ladies sit proudly, and the entire gathering reflects courage, love, hierarchy, and royal magnificence.
3. Who was Count de Lorge and what is revealed about him?
Answer: Count de Lorge is a nobleman seated among the spectators. He is shown as a romantic figure, sitting beside a lady he loves deeply, indicated by the word “sighed,” which highlights his silent admiration and devotion.
4. How are social ranks shown in the extract?
Answer: Social hierarchy is clearly depicted: the king sits above all, symbolizing supreme authority; nobles occupy the benches; ladies sit gracefully among them; and the lions, though powerful, remain below, reinforcing human dominance and royal order.
5. Explain the significance of the phrase “a crowning show.”
Answer: The phrase “a crowning show” signifies the perfection of the spectacle. It unites valour shown by the lions, love represented by Count de Lorge, and authority symbolized by the king, making the event grand and complete.
6. What role do the lions play in the poem?
Answer: The lions represent raw courage and danger, providing thrilling entertainment. Their fight forms the centre of the royal sport, emphasizing the era’s fascination with power and bravery, even at the cost of cruelty.
7. How does Leigh Hunt create admiration for the scene?
Answer: Leigh Hunt uses elevated language like “gallant,” vivid contrasts of above and below, and the blending of love, bravery, and royalty to create an admiring tone, making the scene appear majestic rather than brutal.
8. What theme is suggested through the combination of love and valour?
Answer: The combination of love and valour suggests the theme of chivalry. The poem highlights how romantic devotion and courage coexist in royal settings, reflecting medieval ideals where bravery and refined love were equally valued.
Three-Mark Questions
1. Describe the royal spectacle presented in the extract.
Answer: The extract presents a grand royal spectacle where King Francis watches lions fighting in his court as a form of entertainment. Nobles fill the benches, ladies sit proudly, and the entire setting reflects splendour and order. The scene blends danger and bravery with romance and authority, creating a vivid picture of medieval courtly life and its fascination with power, courage, and ceremonial display.
2. How does Leigh Hunt portray King Francis in the poem?
Answer: Leigh Hunt portrays King Francis as a hearty, pleasure-loving monarch who enjoys grand and violent sports. Sitting above all in the court, he calmly watches the lions fight, symbolising absolute authority. His presence dominates the scene and highlights the values of royalty at the time, where courage, spectacle, and power were admired and openly displayed.
3. Examine the character and role of Count de Lorge in the extract.
Answer: Count de Lorge appears as a nobleman distinguished by his romantic nature. Seated among the spectators, he is deeply in love with a lady beside him, as shown by his sighing. His presence introduces the theme of love into the otherwise violent spectacle, balancing valour and brutality with emotion, chivalry, and refined courtly affection.
4. How is social hierarchy emphasized in the extract?
Answer: Social hierarchy is clearly emphasized through positioning and description. King Francis sits above everyone, representing supreme power and control. The nobles occupy the benches, while the ladies sit proudly among them. Below all are the lions, referred to as royal beasts, reinforcing the idea that human authority, especially royal authority, dominates even the most powerful animals.
5. Discuss the significance of the phrase “a crowning show.”
Answer: The phrase “a crowning show” suggests the completeness and magnificence of the spectacle. It unites courage displayed by the lions, romantic love represented by Count de Lorge, and royal authority symbolized by King Francis. Together, these elements create a perfect display of medieval ideals, making the event memorable, impressive, and worthy of admiration.
6. What themes are introduced in this extract of the poem?
Answer: The extract introduces themes of power, valour, love, and social order. The lion fight represents bravery and cruelty, the king symbolizes authority and dominance, and Count de Lorge’s love adds romance and chivalry. Together, these themes reflect the values of a medieval court, where spectacle, hierarchy, and emotional devotion coexist.
Stanza 2
MCQs
1. The lions are described as “ramped and roared” to suggest
A. joy and playfulness
B. hunger and sleep
C. fierce rage and violence
D. trained obedience
Answer: C
2. “Horrid laughing jaws” is an example of
A. simile
B. metaphor
C. personification
D. alliteration
Answer: C
3. The phrase “gave blows like beams” uses
A. metaphor
B. simile
C. hyperbole
D. irony
Answer: B
4. The movement of the lions’ paws created
A. silence
B. music
C. fear
D. a rushing wind
Answer: D
5. “Wallowing might” refers to the lions’
A. playful rolling
B. lazy movement
C. overwhelming strength
D. weakness
Answer: C
6. The lions rolled
A. calmly beside each other
B. away from the pit
C. on one another
D. towards the audience
Answer: C
7. The pit was filled with sand and mane forming
A. a peaceful scene
B. a colourful sight
C. a thunderous smother
D. total silence
Answer: C
8. “Thunderous smother” mainly suggests
A. darkness
B. noise and confusion
C. speed
D. beauty
Answer: B
9. The foam described is
A. white and calm
B. harmless
C. bloody
D. invisible
Answer: C
10. The bloody foam came
A. gently falling down
B. through the air above the bars
C. into the royal court
D. into the cages
Answer: B
11. King Francis reacts to the scene with
A. fear
B. anger
C. humour
D. sorrow
Answer: C
12. “Faith, gentlemen” expresses
A. prayer
B. oath or exclamation
C. command
D. doubt
Answer: B
13. The king feels they are safer
A. inside the pit
B. among the lions
C. where they are seated
D. near the bars
Answer: C
14. The tone of the passage is mainly
A. romantic
B. humorous
C. terrifying
D. tragic
Answer: C
15. The description of the lions appeals most to the sense of
A. smell
B. taste
C. sight and sound
D. touch
Answer: C
One-Mark Questions
1. Who are ramping and roaring in the extract?
Answer: The lions.
2. What do the lions do with their jaws?
Answer: They laugh horribly and bite fiercely.
3. What is compared to “beams”?
Answer: The blows given by the lions.
4. What moves with the lions’ paws?
Answer: A strong wind.
5. What does “stifled roar” suggest?
Answer: A suppressed but powerful sound.
6. What fills the pit during the fight?
Answer: Sand and mane.
7. How is the foam described?
Answer: Bloody foam.
8. Where does the foam whisk through?
Answer: Above the bars through the air.
9. Who speaks at the end of the extract?
Answer: King Francis.
10. What does King Francis say about their position?
Answer: They are better and safer where they are seated.
Two-Mark Questions
1. How does the poet describe the ferocity of the lions in the arena?
Answer: The poet presents the lions as wildly ferocious, roaring loudly, biting, glaring, and striking violently. Their movements are so forceful that wind follows their paws, creating a scene filled with terror, noise, and uncontrollable animal power.
2. Explain the meaning of “gave blows like beams.”
Answer: The phrase compares the lions’ strikes to heavy beams, suggesting immense strength and destructive force. The simile emphasizes how powerful and dangerous each blow is, capable of causing serious harm and spreading fear among the spectators.
3. What effect is created by the phrase “a wind went with their paws”?
Answer: This phrase highlights the extraordinary power and speed of the lions. Their movements are so strong that they disturb the air, intensifying the violent atmosphere and helping readers imagine the physical force involved in the fight.
4. Why is the pit described as a “thunderous smother”?
Answer: The pit becomes chaotic due to roaring, rolling bodies, flying sand, and tangled manes. The phrase conveys deafening noise and suffocating confusion, making the arena seem overwhelmed by the violence of the lions’ struggle.
5. What does “bloody foam” suggest about the fight?
Answer: “Bloody foam” suggests extreme brutality and bloodshed. It indicates that the lions are seriously wounded, and the fight is not merely for display but a savage and dangerous spectacle filled with real violence.
6. Comment on King Francis’s reaction to the scene.
Answer: King Francis reacts humorously and calmly. Instead of fear, he jokes that it is safer to watch from the stands, showing his confidence, royal composure, and enjoyment of dangerous spectacles without personal involvement.
7. How does sound imagery contribute to the passage?
Answer: Sound imagery such as roaring, thunderous noise, and stifled cries creates an intense atmosphere. It allows readers to hear the chaos of the fight, making the scene vivid, frightening, and emotionally powerful.
8. What contrast is implied in the king’s final remark?
Answer: The king contrasts the violent danger inside the pit with the safety of the spectators’ seats. His remark highlights the separation between royal comfort and brutal entertainment, revealing the privileged detachment of those in power.
Three-Mark Questions
1. Discuss how Leigh Hunt uses vivid imagery to portray the lion fight.
Answer: Leigh Hunt employs striking visual and auditory imagery to make the fight realistic and terrifying. Descriptions of roaring lions, glaring eyes, bloody foam, flying sand, and thunderous noise appeal strongly to the senses. Similes like “blows like beams” emphasize strength, while phrases such as “wind went with their paws” intensify movement and violence, fully immersing the reader in the brutal spectacle.
2. Examine the significance of King Francis’s comment at the end of the extract.
Answer: King Francis’s comment, “we’re better here than there,” reflects royal irony and emotional distance. While the lions suffer in savage combat, the king treats the event as amusement. His light-hearted remark underscores the contrast between human cruelty and comfort versus animal suffering, highlighting how power allows rulers to enjoy violence without facing its consequences.
3. How does the poet convey the uncontrollable power of nature through the lions?
Answer: The lions represent raw, untamed natural power. Their roaring, violent blows, rolling bodies, and blood-filled struggle show instincts beyond human control. The poet’s language suggests chaos and force overwhelming the arena, reminding readers that nature, when provoked or confined, can become destructive and terrifying despite human attempts to dominate it.
4. Analyse the role of similes in enhancing the dramatic effect of the passage.
Answer: Similes such as “gave blows like beams” intensify the drama by making the lions’ strength easily imaginable. These comparisons link animal force to solid, destructive objects, heightening fear and realism. The similes help readers visualize the danger vividly and underline the extraordinary physical power present in the arena.
5. What atmosphere does the extract create, and how is it achieved?
Answer: The extract creates a terrifying and violent atmosphere. This is achieved through aggressive verbs, harsh sounds, images of blood and chaos, and descriptions of noise and movement. The cumulative effect of roaring lions, flying foam, and thunderous confusion overwhelms the senses, making the scene deeply intense and dramatic.
Stanza 3
MCQs
1. Who is referred to as “De Lorge’s love” in the extract?
a) A timid maiden
b) A beauteous lively dame
c) The Queen
d) A court attendant
Answer: b) A beauteous lively dame
2. Which physical feature of the lady is especially highlighted?
a) Her golden hair
b) Her gentle voice
c) Her smiling lips and sharp bright eyes
d) Her graceful walk
Answer: c) Her smiling lips and sharp bright eyes
3. What quality of the Count does the lady admire most?
a) His wisdom
b) His wealth
c) His bravery
d) His loyalty
Answer: c) His bravery
4. What does the lady believe the Count will do to show his love?
a) Write a poem
b) Fight a duel
c) Perform wondrous deeds
d) Win a tournament
Answer: c) Perform wondrous deeds
5. Who are watching the scene according to the extract?
a) Only the King and the Queen
b) Soldiers and guards
c) King, ladies, and lovers
d) Nobles and priests
Answer: c) King, ladies, and lovers
6. Why does the lady consider the occasion “divine”?
a) It is a religious festival
b) The King commands it
c) Everyone important is present
d) It will prove true love
Answer: d) It will prove true love
7. What action does the lady plan to take to test the Count’s love?
a) She will challenge him
b) She will call him by name
c) She will drop her glove
d) She will leave the court
Answer: c) She will drop her glove
8. What does the lady hope to gain by dropping her glove?
a) Wealth
b) Honour for the King
c) Great personal glory
d) The Count’s forgiveness
Answer: c) Great personal glory
9. The line “as brave as brave can be” is an example of
a) Metaphor
b) Hyperbole
c) Simile
d) Irony
Answer: b) Hyperbole
10. The lady’s attitude in the extract can best be described as
a) Modest and shy
b) Proud and confident
c) Fearful and hesitant
d) Sad and thoughtful
Answer: b) Proud and confident
One-Mark Questions
1. Who is De Lorge’s love?
Answer: She is a beauteous, lively lady admired by Count de Lorge.
2. Who overheard De Lorge’s love?
Answer: The King overheard De Lorge’s love.
3. How is the lady’s appearance described?
Answer: She has smiling lips and sharp, bright eyes.
4. What does the lady think about the Count’s bravery?
Answer: She thinks he is as brave as anyone can be.
5. What does the lady expect the Count to do for her love?
Answer: She expects him to perform wondrous deeds.
6. Who are watching the scene?
Answer: The King, ladies, and lovers are watching.
7. What does the lady plan to drop?
Answer: She plans to drop her glove.
8. Why does she drop her glove?
Answer: To test and prove the Count’s love.
9. What does the lady hope to gain by dropping the glove?
Answer: She hopes to gain great glory.
10. What kind of occasion does the lady call it?
Answer: She calls the occasion divine.
Two-Mark Questions
1. Describe De Lorge’s love as presented in the extract.
Answer: De Lorge’s love is a beauteous, lively lady with smiling lips and sharp, bright eyes. She appears confident, proud, and fully aware of her charm and influence over the Count.
2. What does the lady believe about the bravery of Count de Lorge?
Answer: The lady believes that Count de Lorge is extremely brave, “as brave as brave can be,” and capable of performing extraordinary deeds to prove his love for her.
3. Why does the lady think the moment is suitable for testing the Count’s love?
Answer: She thinks the moment is suitable because the King, ladies, and lovers are all present, making it a grand public occasion worthy of heroic action and glory.
4. What action does the lady plan to take to prove the Count’s love?
Answer: The lady plans to drop her glove deliberately so that Count de Lorge may risk his life to retrieve it and thus prove his love.
Three-Mark Questions
1. Explain the lady’s motive in dropping her glove.
Answer: The lady drops her glove to test the depth of Count de Lorge’s love and courage. She is confident in his bravery and expects him to perform a daring act before the King and court. She also seeks admiration and personal glory.
2. How does the poet present the lady’s character in this extract?
Answer: The poet presents the lady as beautiful, lively, and proud. She is confident of her lover’s bravery and enjoys public attention. Her decision to test the Count shows her vanity and desire for glory rather than genuine concern for his safety.
3. Why is the occasion described as “divine” by the lady?
Answer: The occasion is described as “divine” because it is a grand spectacle witnessed by the King and the entire court. The lady believes that proving love in such a public and noble setting will bring honour and lasting glory.
Stanza 4
MCQs
1. What did the lady drop to prove the Count of Lorge's love?
a) Glove
b) Sword
c) Ring
d) Letter
Answer: a) Glove
2. What did the Count do immediately after the lady dropped the glove?
a) He bowed and left
b) He leaped among the lions
c) He smiled and thanked her
d) He ignored her
Answer: b) He leaped among the lions
3. How did the Count retrieve the glove?
a) He asked someone to get it
b) He used a stick
c) He leaped among the lions
d) He waited for it to be brought
Answer: c) He leaped among the lions
4. What did the Count throw at the lady after retrieving the glove?
a) A flower
b) The glove
c) A stone
d) A kiss
Answer: b) The glove
5. What was King Francis's reaction to the Count's action?
a) He was angry
b) He was pleased
c) He was neutral
d) He was surprised
Answer: b) He was pleased
6. What did King Francis say was the motivation behind the Count's action?
a) Love
b) Vanity
c) Bravery
d) Anger
Answer: b) Vanity
7. What does the glove symbolize in the poem?
a) Love
b) Bravery
c) Vanity
d) Kindness
Answer: a) Love
8. Who is the king in the poem?
a) King Francis
b) King Lorge
c) King Arthur
d) King Lear
Answer: a) King Francis
9. What is the tone of the poem?
a) Romantic
b) Satirical
c) Tragic
d) Comedic
Answer: b) Satirical
10. What is the theme of the poem?
a) Love
b) Bravery
c) Vanity
d) Friendship
Answer: c) Vanity
One-mark questions
1. What did the lady drop to test the Count's love?
Answer: Glove.
2. What did the Count do immediately after the lady dropped the glove?
Answer: He leaped among the lions.
3. What did the Count throw at the lady after retrieving the glove?
Answer: The glove.
4. What was King Francis's reaction to the Count's action?
Answer: He was pleased.
5. What did King Francis say was the motivation behind the Count's action?
Answer: Vanity.
6. What does the glove symbolize in the poem?
Answer: Love.
7. Who is the king in the poem?
Answer: King Francis.
8. What is the tone of the poem?
Answer: Satirical.
9. What is the theme of the poem?
Answer: Vanity.
10. What did the Count prove by his action?
Answer: His lack of love for the lady.
Two-Mark Questions
1. Why did the lady drop her glove among the lions?
Answer: The lady dropped her glove to test and prove the Count de Lorge’s love. She wanted him to risk his life before the court to display his bravery and devotion, driven by vanity rather than genuine affection.
2. How did the Count de Lorge respond to the lady’s challenge?
Answer: The Count immediately leapt into the arena among the lions, retrieved the glove swiftly, and returned safely. His action showed courage and presence of mind, but his later gesture revealed his true feelings toward the lady.
3. What is suggested by the line “The leap was quick, return was quick”?
Answer: The line emphasizes the Count’s bravery, agility, and confidence. It shows that he faced danger without hesitation and overcame it efficiently, highlighting his heroic ability and control even in a life-threatening situation.
4. Why did the Count throw the glove in the lady’s face?
Answer: He threw the glove at the lady to express his contempt for her vanity and heartless test. It symbolized his rejection of a love that demands reckless proof and public humiliation.
5. What does King Francis mean by saying “rightly done”?
Answer: King Francis praises the Count’s final action, not merely his bravery. He approves the rejection of shallow vanity and recognizes that true love should not demand dangerous, pride-driven trials.
6. What contrast is shown between love and vanity in the extract?
Answer: Love is presented as sincere and respectful, while vanity is shown as selfish and cruel. The lady’s action stems from pride, whereas the Count’s final response upholds dignity and self-respect.
Three-Mark Questions
1. Explain how the Count’s actions redefine the idea of true love in the extract.
Answer: The Count first appears to accept the traditional notion that love must be proven through daring acts. However, by throwing the glove back at the lady, he redefines true love as something that should not be tested through vanity or cruelty. His final gesture asserts that genuine affection respects life and dignity rather than demanding dangerous displays.
2. Discuss the role of King Francis in conveying the moral of the poem.
Answer: King Francis acts as the voice of moral judgment in the poem. By approving the Count’s action and condemning the lady’s vanity, he clarifies the poem’s message that love should not impose reckless challenges. His authority reinforces the idea that courage without self-respect is meaningless, and that true love must be free from pride and ostentation.
3. How does the ending of the poem expose the lady’s character?
Answer: The ending reveals the lady as vain, superficial, and inconsiderate. Her smile after dropping the glove shows pride in commanding admiration. The Count’s rejection exposes her lack of true feeling, as she values public display over human life, making her unworthy of genuine love.
Poetic Devices
Stanza 1
Imagery: The court scene with nobles, ladies, the king above and lions below creates a vivid mental picture.
Antithesis: “a king above, and the royal beasts below”- two opposite ideas are used.
Climax: “Valour and love, and a king above, and the royal beasts below” builds excitement from bravery to spectacle.
Internal Rhyme: love rhymes with above
Inversion: “And 'mongst them sat the Count de Lorge” alters word order for emphasis.
Enjambment: Lines continue thoughts across line breaks, e.g., “And one day as his lions fought, sat looking on the court;”
Stanza 2
Onomatopoeia: “ramped,” “roared,” “thunderous” mimic sounds of lions.
Simile: “gave blows like beams” compares lions’ strikes to heavy beams.
Personification: “horrid laughing jaws” gives human qualities to lions.
Imagery: Flying foam, sand, and rolling lions create a vivid scene.
Irony: King Francis comments on safety amidst extreme danger.
Enjambment: “With wallowing might and stifled roar they rolled on one another;” continues action across lines.
Stanza 3
Imagery: “smiling lips and sharp bright eyes” creates a clear picture of the lady.
Inversion: “De Lorge's love o'erheard the King”
Synecdoche: “glove” represents her vanity and test of love.
Internal Rhyme: “King, ladies, lovers, all look on; the occasion is divine;”
Enjambment: “She thought, the Count my lover is brave as brave can be;” carries the thought into the next line.
Stanza 4
Repetition: “The leap was quick, return was quick” stresses speed and courage.
Symbolism: The glove symbolizes vanity in love.
Imagery: The leap and return create a visual of daring.
Assonance / Consonance/Internal Rhyme: “leap…place…face” repeats vowel and consonant sounds to add rhythm.
Stanza 5
Antithesis: Contrasts true love with vanity.
Climax of Meaning: The King’s statement resolves the poem’s lesson.
Irony: The lady’s attempt to gain glory fails, giving moral victory instead.
Character-based Questions
1. Sketch the character of King Francis.
Answer: King Francis is portrayed as a hearty, pleasure-loving monarch who enjoys grand and dangerous spectacles like the fight of lions. He represents authority, experience, and moral judgement. Though he delights in royal sports, he is not reckless or foolish. His remark that it is safer to sit in the gallery than in the arena shows his practical wisdom. At the end of the poem, he clearly distinguishes between true love and vanity. By praising Count de Lorge’s action and condemning the lady’s test, he proves himself to be a just and insightful ruler. He understands that bravery should not be misused to satisfy pride. Thus, King Francis stands as the voice of reason and moral balance in the poem.
2. Describe Count de Lorge as a character.
Answer: Count de Lorge is depicted as a truly brave, dignified, and self-respecting knight. His courage is unquestionable, as he immediately leaps into the lion pit without hesitation to retrieve the glove. However, his bravery is guided by honour, not blind submission. By throwing the glove back at the lady’s face, he strongly rejects the misuse of his courage for a vain and dangerous test. This action shows his moral strength and self-respect. He proves that while he is capable of risking his life, he will not allow his love to be turned into a public spectacle. Count de Lorge embodies true valour combined with wisdom and integrity.
3. Examine the character of the lady (Count de Lorge’s beloved).
Answer: The lady is portrayed as beautiful, lively, and sharp-minded, but also vain and self-centred. She takes pride in her lover’s bravery and wishes to gain public admiration by making him prove his love. Her decision to drop the glove into the lion pit is driven not by love, but by ego and a desire for glory. She fails to consider the danger to Count de Lorge’s life. Her smile after dropping the glove reflects her confidence and vanity. Through her character, the poet criticizes shallow pride and thoughtless behaviour. She represents how love, when mixed with vanity, can become cruel and irresponsible.
Courtesy: Different AIs
Compiled and edited by Dr. Shankar D Mishra, Sr. Lecturer in English
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