1. WORKBOOK QUESTIONS, BEETA PUBLICATIONS
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1
Choose the correct answer from the given options. (Do not copy the
question; write the correct answer only.)
1. Which of the following has been described in the poem as “a royal
sport”?
(a) Fight between tigers
(b) Fight between lions
(c) Fight between nobles
(d) Fight between the king and his nobles
Answer: (b) Fight between lions.
King Francis considered the fight between the two lions a “royal sport” and
watched it along with his nobles and ladies.
2. Who is the “one for whom” Count de Lorge sighed?
(a) Count de Lorge
(b) King Francis
(c) Count de Lorge’s beloved
(d) The Queen
Answer: (c) Count de Lorge’s beloved.
Count de Lorge was deeply in love with a beautiful lady who was present
among the ladies in the royal court.
3. Why was it “a gallant thing to see that crowning show”?
(a) It required courage to watch such a ferocious act.
(b) There was love, valour and royalty in the scene.
(c) It was the most brutal fight ever fought.
(d) It was being held for the first time in the King’s court.
Answer: (b) There was love, valour and royalty in the scene.
The spectacle was considered “gallant” because it brought together the King,
the nobles, the ladies, the lovers, and the fierce royal beasts, creating a
grand and exciting scene.
4. What was the attitude of King Francis and his nobles towards the
“royal beasts”?
(a) They watched the fight with keen interest.
(b) They felt sympathy for the lions.
(c) They were disgusted by the fight.
(d) They were afraid to watch the fight.
Answer: (a) They watched the fight with keen interest.
King Francis and the nobles were fascinated by the spectacle and watched the
fierce battle of the lions with great interest.
5. Which poetic device is used in the phrase “horrid laughing jaws”?
(a) Paradox
(b) Simile
(c) Personification
(d) Metonymy
Answer: (c) Personification.
The lions’ jaws are described as “laughing,” an action normally associated
with human beings. Thus, a human quality is attributed to the lions.
6. What is suggested by the following lines?
“They bit, they glared, gave blows like beams, a wind went with their
paws.”
(a) It was a windy day.
(b) The speed and force of the lions’ movements.
(c) The way the beasts looked at the audience.
(d) The peaceful nature of the lions.
Answer: (b) The speed and force of the lions’ movements.
The comparison of their blows with beams and the statement that “a wind went
with their paws” emphasise the tremendous force and speed of the lions’
attacks.
7. Why did King Francis say, “Faith, gentlemen, we’re better here than
there”?
(a) They were at a safe distance from the ferocious fight in the pit.
(b) They were enjoying the game rather than fighting.
(c) They did not have to enter the arena to pick up the lady’s glove.
(d) None of the above.
Answer: (a) They were at a safe distance from the ferocious fight in the
pit.
King Francis meant that it was much safer to watch the lions’ fight from
outside the arena than to be inside the pit among the fierce animals.
8. The lady in the poem has implicitly compared her lover’s bravery with
that of whom?
(a) King Francis
(b) The two lions
(c) The nobles in the court
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b) The two lions
The lady considers Count de Lorge extremely brave and deliberately tests his
courage by asking him to enter the arena where the two lions are fighting.
9. Why did the lady decide to drop her glove in the arena where the two
lions were fighting?
(a) To distract the lions
(b) To prove her lover’s love for her
(c) To seek the attention of the audience and thereby attain glory
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b) To prove her lover’s love for her
She deliberately dropped her glove into the dangerous arena because she
wanted Count de Lorge to risk his life and retrieve it as proof of his love for
her.
10. Which figure of speech is predominantly used in the following
expressions?
“Seemed the same, brave as brave, would do wondrous things, great glory
will be mine”
(a) Simile
(b) Metaphor
(c) Alliteration
(d) Paradox
Answer: (c) Alliteration.
Several expressions contain the repetition of initial sounds, such as “Seemed
the same,” “would do wondrous things,” and “great glory.” This
repetition creates emphasis and musical effect.
11. Why does the lady smile after dropping her glove in the arena?
(a) To show her love for de Lorge
(b) To suggest that de Lorge would do as she wanted him to do
(c) To attract King Francis’s attention
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b) To suggest that de Lorge would do as she wanted him to do.
She smiles because she is confident that her lover will accept the challenge
and retrieve the glove from the dangerous arena to prove his love for her.
12. Why did de Lorge throw the glove “right in the lady’s face”?
(a) To show his love for her
(b) To prove his bravery
(c) To prove how significant she was
(d) To show his annoyance at her vanity
Answer: (d) To show his annoyance at her vanity
De Lorge was angry because the lady had unnecessarily put his life at risk
merely to satisfy her vanity. By throwing the glove in her face, he rejected
her shallow idea of love.
13. Which of the following lines contains the same literary device as
“Ramped and roared the lions, with horrid laughing jaws”?
(a) Last week in
someone's place we saw
A dozen eyeballs
on the floor
(b) So be it when I
shall grow old
Or let me die!
The Child is
father of the Man
(c) Tinkling,
luminous, tender and clear,
Like her bridal
laughter and bridal tear.
(d) And saw,
within the moonlight in his room
Making it rich,
and like a lily in bloom.
Answer: (c), “tinkling,
luminous, tender” contains repetition of the initial /t/ sound, which is also alliteration.
Section B: Context Questions
I. Read the extract given below and answer the
questions that follow:
“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.”
(i) Where was King Francis? Why was he there? Which
characteristic traits of Francis are described in this stanza?
King
Francis was seated in the royal gallery or court, watching two lions fight in
the arena below. He was there because he regarded the dangerous fight between
the lions as an entertaining “royal sport.” The stanza presents him as a hearty, pleasure-loving and adventurous king
who enjoyed exciting and dangerous spectacles. His presence among the nobles
and ladies also reflects his royal authority and love for grand public
entertainments.
(ii) Who all were present in the
audience, besides King Francis? Who sighed and for whom? What is suggested by
the phrase “the ladies in their pride”?
Besides King Francis, the audience consisted mainly of the nobles and ladies of the royal court.
Count de Lorge was also among the spectators. He sighed for the lady he loved,
who was seated among the other ladies. The phrase “the ladies in their pride” suggests that the women were
beautifully and magnificently dressed and were displaying their elegance,
beauty and high social position. It also adds to the splendour of the royal
gathering.
(iii) What is referred to as “a
gallant thing”? Why is it so?
The entire magnificent spectacle of the royal court watching the fierce
lions fight is referred to as “a gallant
thing.” It was considered grand and impressive because several
elements came together in one striking scene: King Francis and his royal authority, the nobles and elegantly
dressed ladies, the love of Count de Lorge, and the courage and ferocity
represented by the fighting lions. The expression therefore presents
the scene as a splendid combination of royalty, love, bravery and danger.
(iv) Explain in your own words the
last line of the given extract.
The last line creates a vivid picture of the royal spectacle. King Francis and his distinguished court are
seated safely above, while the fierce lions are fighting in the arena below.
The scene also contains the element of love, represented by Count de Lorge and
the lady for whom he sighs. Thus, the line brings together the different
elements of the scene—the king, love,
courage and the powerful royal beasts—and presents them as a grand and
dramatic spectacle.
(v) Explain briefly how this poem
is a ballad.
The poem has the chief characteristics of a ballad because it tells a simple, dramatic and exciting
story in verse. It has a clear sequence of events, beginning with the lion
fight and moving towards the dangerous challenge and Count de Lorge’s
courageous action. The poem contains dialogue,
action, suspense, danger and a dramatic climax. The characters are
presented through their actions rather than through lengthy descriptions. The
surprising and memorable ending further strengthens its ballad-like quality.
The poem’s simple narrative style and vivid action make it suitable for oral storytelling.
II. Read the extract given below and answer
the questions that follow:
“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.’”
(i) Where were the lions? Who all were watching them?
Explain briefly the lions’ fight as described in the first line of the extract.
The lions were fighting in a pit
or arena below the royal spectators. King Francis, the nobles and the
ladies of the court were watching the dangerous spectacle. The first line
presents the lions as extremely fierce and aggressive. They “ramped and roared” with their
frightening, open jaws. The expression “horrid
laughing jaws” makes their appearance even more terrifying. The
violent movements and terrifying sounds immediately create an atmosphere of
fear and danger.
(ii) How can you say that the
fight between the two lions was quite ferocious and brutal?
The fight between the lions was extremely ferocious and brutal. They bit and glared at each other and struck
each other with enormous force. Their blows were so powerful that they are
compared to beams, while the movement of their paws produced a strong rush of
air. They rolled violently over one another, raising clouds of sand and
scattering their manes. The “bloody foam”
flying through the air further emphasises the violence and savagery of their
struggle.
(iii) Give two poetic devices used
in this extract, with one example of each.
Two important poetic devices used in the extract are personification and simile.
1. Personification: In “horrid laughing jaws,” the jaws of the
lions are described as “laughing,” which is a human action.
2. Simile: In “gave blows like beams,” the force of
the lions’ blows is compared to the tremendous force of beams. The word “like” makes the comparison explicit.
These devices make the fight more vivid and dramatic.
(iv) What did King Francis tell
the audience? What is revealed about the King by his remark?
King Francis said to the audience, “Faith, gentlemen, we’re better here than there.” By
“here,” he meant the safe place where the spectators were seated, while “there”
referred to the dangerous arena where the lions were fighting. His remark
reveals that although Francis enjoyed watching the exciting spectacle, he was also aware of the danger involved.
He did not wish to put himself unnecessarily at risk. His words also show his
practical sense and ability to make a humorous observation even in a
frightening situation.
(v) Explain briefly the imagery
used in this extract.
The poet uses powerful visual and
auditory imagery to make the lions’ fight vivid, violent and
terrifying. Words such as “ramped,”
“roared,” “bit,” “glared” and “blows”
appeal to the sense of hearing and sight and help us imagine the fierce
struggle. The expressions “thunderous
smother” and “bloody foam”
create a particularly dramatic picture of the arena filled with noise, sand,
manes and blood. The imagery enables the reader to see the violence, hear the terrifying sounds and sense the
enormous power of the fighting lions.
III. Read the extract given below and answer
the questions that follow:
“De Lorge’s love overheard 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.”
(i) What did de Lorge’s lover overhear the King say?
What did she understand from his remark?
De
Lorge’s lover overheard King Francis remark that it was safer for the
spectators to remain outside the arena than to enter it while the lions were
fighting. From his remark, she understood that the arena was extremely
dangerous and that no sensible person would willingly enter it. However,
instead of being discouraged by the danger, she saw an opportunity to test the
courage and love of Count de Lorge.
(ii) How has de Lorge’s beloved
been described? What is suggested by the expression “always seemed the same”?
De Lorge’s beloved is described as a “beauteous lively dame” with smiling lips and sharp,
bright eyes. Her attractive appearance reflects her lively and confident
personality. The expression “always
seemed the same” suggests that her eyes always retained their bright,
alert and cheerful expression. She appeared consistently pleasant and lively,
giving the impression of a woman who was confident, spirited and full of
energy.
(iii) What did she think about de
Lorge? What was she sure about?
De Lorge’s beloved thought that Count de Lorge was “brave as brave can be.” She greatly
admired his courage and believed that he was capable of performing
extraordinary and daring deeds. She was sure that, because of his love for her,
he would be willing to undertake even a dangerous task to prove his devotion.
Her confidence in his bravery therefore encouraged her to devise a test of his
love.
(iv) Which idea struck her? What
was her real intention in implementing her idea?
An idea suddenly occurred to her: she would drop her glove into the arena where the two fierce lions
were fighting. She intended to make Count de Lorge enter the dangerous arena
and retrieve it for her. In this way, she wanted to test whether he truly loved
her and was brave enough to risk his life for her. At the same time, she hoped
to gain “great glory” before the
King, ladies and other spectators by having her lover perform such a daring
deed.
(v) Explain briefly the
characteristic traits of de Lorge’s lover as revealed in this extract.
De Lorge’s lover is presented as beautiful,
lively, confident and imaginative, but the extract also reveals her
vanity, selfishness and lack of concern for her lover’s safety. She considers
Count de Lorge extremely brave and believes that his love should be proved
through a daring deed. Her decision to drop her glove into the lions’ arena
shows that she is willing to expose him to serious danger merely to satisfy her
curiosity and vanity. Her words “great
glory will be mine” clearly reveal that she is more interested in
personal admiration and glory than in genuine love and concern for de Lorge.
IV. Read the extract given below and answer
the questions that follow:
“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.
‘By God!’ said Francis, ‘rightly done!’ and he rose from where he sat.
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.
‘No love,’ quoth he, ‘but vanity, sets love a task like that.’”
(i) Who is “She” referred to in this extract? Where
did she drop her glove? Why did she do so?
“She”
refers to Count de Lorge’s beloved,
the beautiful and lively lady described in the earlier stanza. She deliberately
dropped her glove into the dangerous pit where the two lions were fighting. She
did so to test de Lorge’s love and courage.
She wanted him to enter the arena, risk his life and retrieve the glove as
proof of his devotion. She also hoped that his daring act would bring her “great glory” before the King and the
assembled spectators.
(ii) Why did she look at him and
smile? What does it reveal about her?
She looked at de Lorge and smiled because she was confident that he would accept her challenge and
retrieve the glove. She expected him to prove his love by performing
the dangerous deed she had planned. Her smile reveals her self-confidence and certainty about her lover’s
devotion, but it also exposes her vanity and thoughtlessness. She is
more interested in witnessing a spectacular demonstration of his love and
gaining admiration than in considering the serious danger to which she is
exposing him.
(iii) How did de Lorge react to
her smile? What motivated him to do so?
De Lorge responded to her smile by bowing respectfully and immediately leaping into the arena among
the wild lions. He did not hesitate because he wanted to prove his
courage and demonstrate his love before his beloved and the assembled royal
audience. His action was motivated partly by his love and desire to satisfy her, and partly by his own
sense of honour and bravery. He accepted the dangerous challenge rather than
appearing unwilling or cowardly before everyone present.
(iv) How did de Lorge come back
from the pit unharmed? How did he react after coming back? How did King Francis
react to it?
De Lorge entered the pit swiftly, retrieved the glove and returned just as quickly,
managing to escape the attacking lions unharmed. However, his attitude changed
completely after he returned. Instead of lovingly handing the glove back to the
lady, he threw it directly into her face.
This action showed his anger and contempt for her foolish test. King Francis
was highly impressed by de Lorge’s courage and immediately approved of his
action, exclaiming, “By God! rightly
done!”
(v) Explain briefly the theme of
the poem.
The central theme of the poem is the contrast between true love and selfish vanity. Count de Lorge is willing to risk his life to prove his love, but his beloved’s demand reveals that her idea of love is based on pride, display and a desire for admiration. When de Lorge realises that she has endangered him merely to satisfy her vanity, he rejects her idea of love. His words, “No love, but vanity, sets love a task like that,” express the poem’s central message: genuine love should be based on affection, understanding and concern for the loved one, not on dangerous tests, selfish demands or a desire for public glory.
2. WORKBOOK QUESTIONS,
EVERGREEN PUBLICATIONS
COMPETENCY-FOCUSED QUESTIONS
I. Multiple Choice Questions
Read the following questions and select the correct option:
(a) Analysis, Application and Evaluation
1. Which of the following lines reflects Count de Lorge’s valour?
(a) “Then threw the glove, but not with love.”
(b) “And ’mongst them sat Count de Lorge, with one for whom he sighed.”
(c) “He bowed, and in a moment leaped among the lions wild.”
(d) “I’ll drop my glove, to prove his love.”
Answer: (c) “He bowed, and in a moment leaped among the lions wild.”
2. “The lions roared with horrid laughing jaws.” Which of the following
uses the same literary device as the given line from the poem The Glove and
the Lions?
(a) “The snowflakes glittered like diamonds.”
(b) “The caged bird sings with a fearful trill.”
(c) “My hands were icicles because of the cold weather.”
(d) “The smell of freshly brewed coffee woke me up.”
Answer: (b) “The caged bird sings with a fearful trill.”
3. Which of the following is NOT a theme of the poem The Glove and
the Lions?
(a) Vanity
(b) Chivalry
(c) Pride
(d) Cruelty
Answer: (b) Chivalry
4. Choose the option that lists the sequence of events in the correct
order.
(i) While the lions were engaged in a vicious battle, the Count’s
beloved threw her glove into the arena.
(ii) The King was enjoying the fight of the royal beasts.
(iii) The Count realised that it was her vanity which prompted her to do this.
(iv) Retrieving the glove, the angry Count flung it in her face.
(a) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
(b) (iv), (ii), (iii), (i)
(c) (ii), (i), (iii), (iv)
(d) (iv), (iii), (ii), (i)
Answer: (c) (ii), (i), (iii), (iv)
5. What is the speaker’s tone in the poem?
(a) Sarcastic
(b) Ironic
(c) Pungent
(d) Light-hearted and good-natured
Answer: (d) Light-hearted and good-natured
6. In the poem, expressions such as “horrid laughing jaws” and “stifled
roar” are used. Which figure of speech is used in these expressions?
(a) Metaphor
(b) Personification
(c) Oxymoron
(d) Pun
Answer: (b) Personification
7. Which of the following lines contains the same literary device as the
one in the line “Ramped and roared the lions”?
(a) “And the far sad glorious vision I see”
(b) “And here and there a foamy flake”
(c) “I hope to see my Pilot face to face”
(d) “Lo! thus I triumph like a king.”
Answer: (b) “And here and there a foamy flake”
8. The lady’s desire to attract attention signifies that she is
(a) humble
(b) proud
(c) bitter
(d) rash
Answer: (b) proud
9. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between these
two statements:
Statement I: De Lorge’s beloved throws her glove into the
lions’ pit.
Statement II: She is proud and vain.
(a) I is the cause of II.
(b) I is an example of II.
(c) I is independent of II.
(d) I is a contradiction of II.
Answer: (b) I is an example of II.
10. After having retrieved his beloved’s glove from the lions’ pit, De
Lorge threw it at her face. Which of the following words would be inappropriate
to describe his mood?
(a) Sullen
(b) Indifferent
(c) Angry
(d) Upset
Answer: (b) Indifferent
11. “The bloody foam above the bars came whisking through the air.” The
word “whisking” in the above line builds which kind of image?
(a) Auditory
(b) Olfactory
(c) Kinesthetic
(d) Tactile
Answer: (c) Kinesthetic
12. What kind of king was Francis?
(a) Cruel
(b) Good-natured
(c) Lusty
(d) Wicked
Answer: (b) Good-natured
(b) Recalling and Understanding
13. Which figure of speech is used in the line “They bit, they glared,
gave blows like beams”?
(a) Metaphor
(b) Symbol
(c) Simile
(d) Oxymoron
Answer: (c) Simile
14. Which of these statements is NOT true?
(a) De Lorge’s beloved was vain and proud.
(b) De Lorge’s beloved did not actually love him.
(c) De Lorge’s beloved wanted to grab attention.
(d) King Francis got angry at the lady’s action.
Answer: (d) King Francis got angry at the lady’s action.
15. Who were in the galleries to watch the fight?
(a) The King and his lords and ladies
(b) Hunters
(c) The general public
(d) Kings and queens of distant lands
Answer: (a) The King and his lords and ladies
16. What distracted the King’s attention from the lion fight?
(a) The charms of a girl
(b) The charms of the Count’s beloved
(c) The noise of the audience
(d) The sense of insecurity
Answer: (b) The charms of the Count’s beloved
17. How did the King react when he looked at De Lorge’s beloved?
(a) He smiled.
(b) He sighed.
(c) He laughed.
(d) He frowned.
Answer: (a) He smiled.
18. Which of these remained always the same in De Lorge’s beloved?
(a) Her smiles
(b) Her lips and eyes
(c) Her mannerisms
(d) Her dress
Answer: (b) Her lips and eyes
19. De Lorge’s beloved seemed to have been struck by the King’s
(a) grandeur and valour
(b) wisdom
(c) knowledge
(d) handsome appearance
Answer: (a) grandeur and valour
20. How did De Lorge throw the lady’s glove back to her?
(a) With love
(b) With a smile
(c) Frowningly
(d) In anger
Answer: (d) In anger
21. By putting him to a dangerous test, De Lorge’s beloved
(a) proved her wisdom
(b) proved that she was vain
(c) proved that she was timid
(d) proved that she was unfaithful
Answer: (b) proved that she was vain
II. Comprehension Passages
PASSAGE–1
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
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.
(i) Where was the king sitting? What kind of person was he?
Answer: King Francis was sitting in the royal court watching his lions fight. He was a
hearty, cheerful and pleasure-loving king who enjoyed royal sports and
spectacles. He took delight in watching the fierce contest between the lions.
His enjoyment of such a dangerous sport shows that he was fond of excitement
and entertainment.
(ii) For whom did the king ‘sigh’, and why?
Answer: The Count de Lorge sighed for the lady whom he loved. She was among the noble
ladies watching the royal spectacle. The Count was deeply attracted to her and
desired her love. His sighs reveal his romantic feelings and longing for her
affection and approval.
(iii) Who are referred to as “valour and love”?
Answer: “Valour” refers to the bravery and courage associated with the Count de Lorge,
while “love” refers to his deep affection for the lady he loved. Both are
presented as important elements of the royal spectacle. The poet suggests that
the scene combined the excitement of courage with the emotional intensity of
romantic love.
(iv) What made the sight a “gallant thing” to see?
Answer: The sight was a “gallant thing” because it presented a grand and exciting
spectacle. King Francis sat above, the nobles and richly dressed ladies filled
the benches, and fierce lions fought below. Along with this royal display were
the themes of bravery and love, making the entire scene impressive and
splendid.
(v) Why did De Lorge’s beloved think of testing his valour?
Answer: De Lorge’s beloved was proud, vain and eager to know how far his love for her would go. She therefore thought of testing his courage by dropping her glove into the lion’s den and asking him to retrieve it. She wanted him to prove his devotion through an act of extraordinary bravery. Her challenge was less an expression of genuine love than a test arising from vanity and pride.
II. Comprehension Passages
PASSAGE–2
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
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.”
(i) What kind of royal sport was in progress? Is it popular these days?
Why/Why not?
Answer: A dangerous animal sport was in progress. King Francis and his court were
watching lions fight in an arena. Such a sport is not popular today because
public attitudes towards animal welfare have changed. Keeping animals for cruel
entertainment and making them fight is generally regarded as inhumane and
unacceptable. Modern societies prefer sports and entertainment that do not
deliberately cause suffering to animals.
(ii) Who stole the heart of King Francis? In what state of mind was he?
Answer: The extract does not say that anyone stole King Francis’s heart. Rather, it is
the Count de Lorge who was in love with a lady. King Francis was
watching the fierce lion fight with great interest and excitement. He was also
conscious of the danger of the sport, as shown by his remark that they were
safer where they were than inside the arena.
(iii) How does the poet describe the lions’ fight? Which figure of
speech is used in the description? What is its function?
Answer: The poet describes the lions as roaring, biting, glaring and striking one
another fiercely. Their paws create strong gusts of wind, while their violent
struggle fills the pit with sand and flying manes. The description uses simile,
as their blows are compared to beams, and personification in “horrid
laughing jaws.” These devices make the fight vivid, violent and terrifying.
(iv) What did the air carry afar? What did it reveal?
Answer: The air carried the bloody foam from the lions’ mouths over the bars of
the arena. This revealed the extreme violence and ferocity of the fight. The
flying foam showed that the lions were engaged in a fierce and dangerous
struggle. It also emphasised the hazardous nature of the royal sport and
justified King Francis’s feeling that the spectators were safer outside the
pit.
(v) What picture of De Lorge’s beloved has the poet given later in the
context?
Answer: Later, De Lorge’s beloved is presented as a beautiful but vain, proud and
thoughtless woman. She is attracted to the idea of testing the Count’s love and
courage rather than showing genuine affection for him. She deliberately drops
her glove into the lion’s den and expects him to retrieve it. Her action
reveals her vanity and her desire to make a public display of his devotion,
even at great personal risk to him.
(vi) Comment on the king’s remark. Who was attracted by his comment?
Answer: King Francis’s remark, “we’re better here than there,” is humorous as well as sensible. Seeing the lions fighting violently, he realises that the spectators are much safer outside the arena than inside it. His comment also prepares the reader for the later incident involving De Lorge. The lady loved by De Lorge is attracted by the idea of testing his courage, which eventually leads her to challenge him to enter the dangerous arena.
II. Comprehension Passages
PASSAGE–3
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
De Lorge’s love overheard 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;”
(i) Which King is being referred to in the above lines? What did the
lady do? What was the immediate cause that triggered her thought?
Answer: The King referred to is King Francis, who was watching the lions fight
in the royal arena. De Lorge’s beloved, a beautiful and lively lady, overheard
his remark that the spectators were safer outside the pit. This immediately
made her think of testing the Count’s courage. Since she believed that her
lover was extremely brave, she decided to challenge him to prove his valour.
(ii) How did the Count react to her action? What did he do later? Why?
Answer: The Count reacted with great courage and devotion to his beloved. When she
dropped her glove into the lion’s den, he immediately jumped into the dangerous
arena and retrieved it. He did so because she had challenged his bravery and he
wanted to prove his love and courage. He risked his life to satisfy her demand,
although the act was extremely dangerous.
(iii) Describe the fight between the lions in the pit.
Answer: The lions fought with terrifying violence. They ramped and roared, bit and
glared at each other, and struck powerful blows with their paws. They rolled
over one another with great force, filling the pit with sand and flying manes.
Their fierce struggle produced a thunderous roar, while bloody foam flew
through the air. The description makes the fight appear savage and dangerous.
(iv) What message is the poet trying to convey through the poem?
Answer: The poet conveys that true love should not be measured by foolish or dangerous
tests. De Lorge proves his courage by risking his life to retrieve the glove,
but his beloved’s challenge is driven by vanity rather than genuine love. The
poem also criticises shallow romantic ideals in which bravery is unnecessarily
demonstrated for the sake of love. True affection should be based on trust,
understanding and mutual respect.
(v) What does the glove symbolise for:
(a) the Count
Answer: For the Count, the glove symbolises a test of his love, courage and devotion.
Retrieving it becomes a way of proving that he is willing to face even great
danger for his beloved.
(b) the Lady
Answer: For the lady, the glove symbolises her vanity and desire to test her lover’s
devotion. She uses it as an instrument to challenge the Count and make him
demonstrate his courage.
(vi) How would you describe the Count’s mood at the end of the poem?
Answer: At the end of the poem, the Count is angry, disappointed and disillusioned. Although he has risked his life to prove his love and courage, he realises that his beloved’s demand was motivated by vanity. Her shallow attitude destroys his admiration for her. In a sudden act of rejection, he throws the retrieved glove back into her face and walks away, showing that he no longer values her love.
II. Comprehension Passages
PASSAGE–4
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
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.”
(i) What idea struck De Lorge’s beloved? How did she put it into
practice?
Answer: De Lorge’s beloved got the idea of testing his love and courage after hearing
King Francis’s remark about the danger of the lions. She thought that her lover
was extremely brave and decided to make him prove it. She dropped her glove
into the lions’ pit and expected him to retrieve it. Her action was a test of
his love, but it also revealed her vanity.
(ii) How did De Lorge react? What could have happened to him?
Answer: De Lorge reacted immediately and bravely. Without hesitation, he bowed to the
lady and leaped into the lions’ pit to retrieve her glove. He could easily have
been attacked and killed or seriously injured by the fierce lions. However, he
succeeded in recovering the glove and returned safely to his place. His action
demonstrated extraordinary courage and devotion.
(iii) What was De Lorge’s reaction when he came back safe from the pit?
In what mood was he?
Answer: After returning safely, De Lorge was angry and deeply disappointed with his
beloved. Instead of returning the glove to her lovingly, he threw it directly
into her face. His action showed that he had understood the selfishness and
vanity behind her challenge. He was therefore in a mood of anger, disgust
and disillusionment, and he rejected her love.
(iv) Comment on the action of De Lorge.
Answer: De Lorge’s action was courageous but also impulsive. He risked his life to
satisfy his beloved’s foolish demand and successfully retrieved the glove.
However, after realising that she had endangered him merely to satisfy her
vanity, he rightly rejected her. Throwing the glove back at her was a strong
expression of his anger and disappointment. His final action shows that he
valued genuine love more than a vain display of courage.
(v) Who spoke the words, “No love, but vanity, sets love a task like
that”? What did he want to say?
Answer: The words were spoken by King Francis. By saying this, he meant that
genuine love would never demand such a dangerous and unreasonable proof of
devotion. According to him, it was not love but the lady’s vanity that
had made her set such a perilous task for De Lorge. He approved of De Lorge’s
decision to reject her and recognised the selfishness behind her challenge.
PROJECT ASSIGNMENTS
1. Narrate the incident described in the poem.
The poem narrates an incident involving Count de Lorge, his beloved, and
King Francis. King Francis is watching his lions fight in an arena, surrounded
by nobles and ladies. De Lorge’s beloved overhears the King’s remark that the
spectators are safer outside the lions’ pit. Being vain and curious to test her
lover’s courage, she drops her glove into the lions’ den and expects De Lorge
to retrieve it. Without hesitation, De Lorge leaps into the pit, recovers the
glove and returns safely. However, instead of returning it lovingly, he throws
it into her face. King Francis approves of his action and declares that vanity,
not love, makes a person demand such a dangerous proof of love.
2. How does the poet build up his story? What
is his purpose?
The poet builds up the story gradually through a sequence of dramatic
events. He first presents the royal setting and the fierce fight between the
lions. He then introduces Count de Lorge and his beloved and shows how she
overhears King Francis’s remark about the danger of the lions. Her vanity leads
her to devise a test of De Lorge’s courage. The dramatic climax comes when De
Lorge enters the lions’ pit and retrieves her glove. The story ends with his
angry rejection of her and King Francis’s memorable comment. The poet’s purpose
is to expose the difference between genuine love and vain, foolish demands made
in the name of love.
3. Comment on the characters of De Lorge and
his beloved.
De Lorge is portrayed as brave, devoted and honourable. He does not
hesitate to risk his life to fulfil his beloved’s demand and thereby proves his
extraordinary courage. However, when he realises that her challenge springs
from vanity rather than genuine love, he refuses to tolerate such shallow
behaviour. His throwing the glove back at her shows his self-respect and
disillusionment.
De Lorge’s beloved, on the other hand, is beautiful and lively but vain,
proud and thoughtless. She treats love as something that must be proved through
a dangerous act. Her decision to test De Lorge’s courage reveals her
selfishness and lack of genuine concern for his safety. Through her character,
the poet criticises vanity disguised as love.
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