The Glove and the Lions: ICSE Class 10 English answers, notes

Get notes, line-by-line explanation, summary, questions and answers, critical analysis, word meanings, workbook solutions (Evergreen and Morning Star/Beeta Publications), extras, and pdf of the poem “The Glove and the Lions” by Leigh Hunt which is part of ICSE Class 10 English (Treasure Chest: A Collection of ICSE Poems and Short Stories). However, the notes should only be treated for references and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.

Summary

The poem opens with a description of King Francis, who is watching his lions fighting in an arena for sport. The king sits above the arena, surrounded by nobles and elegant ladies. Among the nobles is Count de Lorge, who longingly signs for one particular lady there.

The narrator describes the scene as a gallant spectacle, with the brave king presiding over the fierce lions battling below. The lions rampage and roar, viciously biting and clawing at one another in a frenzied fight. Bloody foam flies from their mouths over the barricades enclosing the pit. Amused by the violence, King Francis comments that the spectators are better off watching from their seats than down in the pit.

The lady whom Count de Lorge desires overhears the king’s remark. She is described as strikingly beautiful, with an unchanging smile and bright, intelligent eyes. Confidently believing her lover De Lorge to be the bravest man, she decides to test his love and win glory for herself. With the king, nobles, and ladies looking on, she drops her glove into the lion’s pit, challenging De Lorge to retrieve it.

De Lorge bows to the lady, then jumps into the midst of the raging lions. Quickly and nimbly he leaps back out, glove in hand. But rather than gently return the glove to prove his love, he angrily throws it right in the lady’s face. King Francis approves of De Lorge’s reaction, declaring that it was not true love, but the lady’s vanity and pride that led her to set such a dangerous challenge. The poem ends with the king’s pronouncement on the situation.

In summary, the poem tells the story of a lady who arrogantly tests her lover’s bravery by throwing her glove into a lion pit. But when he succeeds in the challenge and angrily throws the glove back at her, the king praises the lover and condemns the lady’s pride and vanity. The vivid imagery and surprising twist reveal the flaws underlying the spectacle of chivalry and romance.

Line-by-line explanation of the poem

King Francis was a hearty king, and loved a royal sport,

This first line introduces us right away to King Francis, describing him vividly as a lively, vigorous, and energetic king who took delight in royal sporting events and games. The word “hearty” paints a picture of a king full of vitality and enthusiasm.

And one day as his lions fought, sat looking on the court;

One day, as part of his enjoyment of royal entertainments, King Francis was observing his own lions fighting fiercely and ferociously in an arena or enclosed court. The line reveals that the king kept lions for violent sport and spectacle, sitting safely above the action as the powerful beasts battled below.

The nobles filled the benches, and the ladies in their pride,

The arena was filled with nobles and aristocrats sitting in raised benches above the fighting pit, and elegant ladies dressed in their finest, most ornate gowns and jewels, exhibiting their status and pride.

And ‘mongst them sat the Count de Lorge, with one for whom he sighed:

Among the assembled nobles was the Count de Lorge, who had eyes only for one particular lady there, sighing longingly for the woman he desired.

And truly ’twas a gallant thing to see that crowning show,

It was truly a noble and magnificent spectacle, the height of royal entertainment, to witness the king presiding over this thrilling animal combat.

Valour and love, and a king above, and the royal beasts below.

The scene embodied ideals of chivalry and romance – bravery and love, with the king holding court above while the fierce royal beasts battled below.

Ramped and roared the lions, with horrid laughing jaws;

The lions prowled and roared aggressively, their terrible, gaping mouths stretched wide as if laughing horribly and maliciously.

They bit, they glared, gave blows like beams, a wind went with their paws;

Savagely the lions bit and locked their jaws, glaring fiercely, striking mighty blows with their paws that swiped as powerfully and swiftly as beams of wind.

With wallowing might and stifled roar they rolled on one another;

With immense, crushing power and muffled, choked roars, the lions wrestled, grappled, and forcefully rolled over each other.

Till all the pit with sand and mane was in a thunderous smother;

Until the fighting pit was filled with flying sand and tangled manes in a deafening, chaotic turmoil.

The bloody foam above the bars came whisking through the air;

The bloody foam from the lions’ mouths sprayed through the air over the pit’s barricades.

Said Francis then, “Faith, gentlemen, we’re better here than there.”

Seeing the violent spectacle, King Francis remarked humorously to his noble audience that they were safer observing from their seats than down in the pit with the ferocious beasts.

De Lorge’s love o’erheard the King, a beauteous lively dame

The lady whom De Lorge pined for, a strikingly beautiful and spirited woman, overheard the king’s wry comment.

With smiling lips and sharp bright eyes, which always seemed the same;

She had smiling, inviting lips and piercing, intelligent eyes which always appeared unchanged, constantly sparkling and alluring.

She thought, the Count my lover is brave as brave can be;

She thought assuredly that her lover, the Count de Lorge, was as courageous and daring as any man could possibly be.

He surely would do wondrous things to show his love of me;

She was confident he would carry out remarkable, incredible deeds to demonstrate the depth of his devotion and adoration for her.

King, ladies, lovers, all look on; the occasion is divine;

With the king, ladies of the court, and admirers all observing intently, she realised the perfect, almost providential opportunity before her.

I’ll drop my glove, to prove his love; great glory will be mine.

She decided she would drop her glove into the lion’s den as a challenge to the Count, to prove the strength of his chivalric love for her – and in doing so, she would gain enormous honour and renown.

She dropped her glove, to prove his love, then looked at him and smiled;

So she daringly dropped her glove into the pit, turning to the Count with a confident, anticipatory smile, having set out to test the depths of his devotion.

He bowed, and in a moment leaped among the lions wild:

The Count bowed gracefully to the lady, then instantly, unhesitatingly jumped down into the pit, recklessly casting himself into the midst of the wild, vicious lions.

The leap was quick, return was quick, he has regained his place,

Just as rapidly as he had leapt in, the Count leapt back out of the pit, with extraordinary deftness and agility returning to stand again before the noble crowd.

Then threw the glove, but not with love, right in the lady’s face.

But rather than tenderly returning her glove as a token of his love, he spitefully, violently threw it right in her face in front of all.

“By God!” said Francis, “rightly done!” and he rose from where he sat:

“By God!” exclaimed King Francis, approving of the Count’s shocking action, “That was the right thing to do!” And he stood up dramatically from his royal seat.

“No love,” quoth he, “but vanity, sets love a task like that.”

“It was not true love,” declared the king, “but vanity and pride that set a challenge like that, when love itself was at stake.”

Word meanings

hearty: lively, vigorous, energetic

court: enclosed arena for sports and spectacles

nobles: aristocrats, members of the highest social class

benches: raised, tiered seats around an arena

pride: vanity, haughtiness, satisfaction in status

sighed: longed, pined, yearned

gallant: noble, chivalrous, dignified

crowning: ultimate, preeminent

show: spectacle, display, entertainment

valour: courage, bravery, boldness in battle

ramped: prowled, stalked aggressively

roared: yelled ferociously at high volume

horrid: terrifying, dreadful, causing horror

jaws: mouths, snouts, openings of mouth

glared: stared angrily and intensely

beams: rays, shafts of light

paws: animal feet with claws

wallowing: rolling, thrashing around

might: power, immense strength

stifled: muffled, choked, suppressed

smother: chaotic mix, turmoil

bars: barricades, railings

whisking: spraying, scattering rapidly

quoth: said, spoke

vanity: excessive pride, self-importance

Video summary

About the author

Leigh Hunt (1784-1859) was a prominent Romantic-era writer, poet, essayist, critic and journalist who lived during the same time period as the famous Romantic poets Keats, Byron and Shelley. Hunt is known for his evocative descriptions, lyrical verse, appreciation of nature, and mastery of atmosphere and mood in his writing.

As an influential journalist, Hunt was also one of the most outspoken defenders of liberties during the age of the French Revolution.

The poem “The Glove and the Lions” by Hunt is a humorous narrative set in mediaeval times when concepts of valour and chivalry were idealised. Through the story, Hunt gently pokes fun at the notion of men feeling they must perpetually “prove” their masculine courage to the women they admire.

With its playful tone and lyrical language, the poem is meant to be enjoyed for its poetic beauty and gentle humour, rather than interpreted as conveying a serious moral lesson or message. Hunt invites readers to delight in the world and characters he brings to life through vivid details, rather than looking for deeper meaning or instruction underneath the charming mediaeval tale.

Evergreen workbook answers/solutions

Multiple Choice Questions

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 given in the above 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 the theme of the poem The Glove and the Lions?

(a) Vanity
(b) Chivalry
(c) Pride
(d) Cruelty

Answer: (d) Cruelty

4. Choose the option that lists the sequence of events in the correct order.
(i) Retrieving the glove, the angry Count flung it in her face.
(ii) While the lions were engaged in a vicious battle, the count’s beloved threw her glove into the arena.
(iii) The Count realised that it was her vanity which prompted her to do this.
(iv) The king was enjoying the fight of the royal beasts.

(a) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
(b) (iv), (ii), (iii), (i)
(c) (ii), (iii), (iv), (i)
(d) (iv), (iii), (i), (ii)

Answer: (b) (iv), (ii), (iii), (i)

5. What is the speaker’s tone of voice 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 floamy 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 floamy 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 vein.

(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 retireved his beloved’s glove from the lions’pit, De Lorge threw it at he face. Which of the following words will be inappropriate for his mood?

(a) sullen
(b) indifferent
(c) angry
(d) upset

Answer: (b) indifferent

11. The blood 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

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 people
(d) king and queens of distant lands

Answer: (a) the king and his lords and ladies

16. What has distracted the king’s attention from the lion fighting?

(a) the charms of a girl
(b) the charms of a count’s beloved
(c) noise of the audience
(d) the sense of insecurity

Answer: (b) the charms of a 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: (b) he sighed

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 body

Answer: (a) grandeur and valour

20. How did De Lorge throw her 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

Comprehension Passages

PASSAGE-1

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: The king, one day as his lions fought, sat looking on the court, surrounded by his courtiers and their ladies, watching the sport. King Francis is described as a good-hearted fellow and a hearty king who loved a royal sport.

(ii) For whom did the king ‘sigh’, and why?

Answer: The king sighed for the beloved of Count de Lorge. Seeing this very beautiful and charming lady, the king sighed because he was obviously infatuated by her charming looks, enamoured of her charms, and was envious of the count.

(iii) Who are referred to as “valour and love” ?

Answer: “Valour and love” refer to the sentiments with which the people filling the whole stadium were filled, as they watched the crowning show which included the king above and the royal beasts below.

(iv) What picture of De Lorge’s beloved has the poet given later in the context ?

Answer: Later in the context, De Lorge’s beloved is depicted as a beauteous, lively dame with smiling lips and sharp bright eyes, which always seemed the same in beauty and charm. She is shown to be a lady who wanted to grab the attention of the royal attendance and win the admiration of the nobles, including the king himself, for her own beauty and for her choice of a really brave man as her lover. She is also portrayed as proud and vain, never thinking that her action of dropping her glove might cost a precious life.

(v) Why did De Lorge’s beloved think of testing his valour?

Answer: De Lorge’s beloved thought of testing his valour because she thought that her lover, the Count, was as brave as brave can be and that he surely would do wondrous things to show his love for her. She saw that the king, ladies, and lovers were all looking on, and she considered the occasion divine and ripe to grab attention. She thought of dropping her glove into the pit to prove her beloved’s love for her, believing that if he succeeded, she would become the centre of attraction and great glory would be hers. She was perhaps struck by her beloved’s valour and grandeur and wanted to test his love for her when all the royal courtiers, including the king himself, were present.

PASSAGE-2

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: The royal sport in progress was the sport of lion fighting, a fight between ferocious lions. This kind of sport is not popular these days. It is widely condemned due to concerns about animal cruelty and conservation. Such spectacles are generally considered unethical and are illegal in most parts of the world.

(ii) Who stole the heart of King Francis ? In what state of mind was he?

Answer: The lady beloved by Count de Lorge stole the heart of King Francis. He was obviously infatuated by her charming looks, enamoured of her charms, and sighed for her, being envious of the count.

(iii) How does the poet describe the lion’s fight? Which figure of speech is used in the description ? What is its function ?

Answer: The poet describes the lions as they ramped and roared with horrid laughing jaws; they bit, they glared, and gave blows like beams, while a wind went with their paws. With wallowing might and stifled roar, they rolled on one another until all the pit with sand and mane was in a thunderous smother, and bloody foam came whisking through the air. The description uses figures of speech such as alliteration in “Ramped and roared the lions” and personification in “horrid laughing jaws,” and simile in “gave blows like beams.” These figures of speech make the description of the ferocious and vicious lion fight vivid and engaging, helping to maintain suspense.

(iv) What did the air carry afar ? What did it reveal ?

Answer: The air carried the bloody foam from the lions’ fight afar, as it came whisking through the air above the bars. This revealed the ferocity and dangerous nature of the fight, indicating the serious commotion and the violence of the encounter.

(v) Comment on the king’s remark. Who was attracted by his comment ?

Answer: King Francis, while watching the fight and sitting at a safe distance, remarked with self-satisfaction that, in faith, he and the gentlemen were better off where they were, away from the danger of the arena where the fighting was going on. De Lorge’s beloved, a beauteous lively dame, overheard and was attracted by the king’s comment.

PASSAGE-3

(Board’s Practice Question)
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;

(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 being referred to in the above lines is King Francis. The lady, De Lorge’s love, decided to drop her glove into the pit where the lions were fighting to prove her lover’s love and to gain glory. The immediate cause that triggered her thought was overhearing the King’s comment about the danger in the pit, combined with her awareness that the king and all the noble couples were present, making the occasion ripe to grab attention.

(ii) How did the Count react to her action? What did he do later? Why?

Answer: When the lady dropped her glove, the Count de Lorge understood, smiled at her, bowed, and in a moment leaped among the wild lions. Later, after quickly retrieving the glove and regaining his place, he threw the glove, but not with love, right in the lady’s face and left the arena at once. He did this because he was not happy and thought no true lover would set such a dangerous task; he knew the lady acted not merely to test his love but also to get attention and indulge her vanity, and he was not amused by her uncaring act of putting his life in danger.

(iii) Describe the fight between the lions in the pit.

Answer: The fight between the lions in the pit was ferocious and vicious. The lions ramped and roared with horrible-looking laughing jaws, fighting and tearing into one another. Their blows were strong like beams, and a wind seemed to move alongside their paws as they rolled over one another with wallowing might and stifled roar, causing a serious commotion. The pit became a thunderous smother of sand and mane, and their bloody foam was carried by the air, spreading far and wide.

(iv) What message is the poet trying to convey through the poem ?

Answer: The poet is trying to convey the message that there is no room for vanity in true love, and that in love, both lovers should take care of each other’s well-being. The poem brings home the point that vanity may prove to be one’s undoing at times, and that going too far to seek attention or to show off is always harmful, particularly in love. It also suggests a message for all lovers not to go too far, even in love.

(v) What does the glove symbolise for : (i) the Count (ii) the Lady. How would you describe the Count’s mood at the end of the poem ?

Answer: For the Lady, the glove symbolised a means to prove her lover’s love, a way to gain attention from the royal audience, and an instrument to achieve great glory for herself. For the Count, the glove, and the act of her dropping it, came to symbolise the lady’s vanity and her reckless disregard for his safety, a task set not by love but by a desire for attention. At the end of the poem, the Count’s mood was one of anger and disillusionment; he was clearly not amused and threw the glove at the lady’s face in anger, condemning her vanity.

PASSAGE-4

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: The idea that struck De Lorge’s beloved was that her lover, the Count, was brave as brave can be and would do wondrous things to show his love for her; she thought that since the king, ladies, and lovers were all looking on, the occasion was divine to prove his love and gain great glory for herself. She put this idea into practice by dropping her glove into the arena where the lions were fighting, to test his love for her, and then looked at him and smiled.

(ii) How did De Lorge react ? What could have happened to him ?

Answer: De Lorge reacted by understanding her intent, smiling at her, bowing, and then in a moment leaping among the wild lions. He moved so quickly that the lions could not touch him at all, retrieved the glove, regained his place, and then threw the glove, but not with love, right in the lady’s face, leaving the arena at once. If he had not been so quick, he could have been seriously injured or even killed by the ferocious lions, as his lady had put his life into danger with a task that could have cost his precious life.

(iii) What was De Lorge’s reaction when he came back safe from the pit ? In what mood was he?

Answer: When De Lorge came back safe from the pit, he regained his place and then threw the glove, not with love, but right in the lady’s face. He was in a mood of anger and was not happy or amused; he felt that no true lover would set such a dangerous task and that her action was driven by vanity.

(iv) Comment on the action of De Lorge.

Answer: De Lorge’s action was initially one of bravery and perhaps a willingness to meet his lady’s challenge, as he understood her, smiled, bowed, and leaped among the wild lions. His swift retrieval of the glove proved his valour. However, his subsequent action of throwing the glove in her face, not with love, and his remark that vanity, not love, sets such a task, was a strong and angry rejection of her shallow and dangerous whim. King Francis himself approved of this latter action, exclaiming it was “rightly done.” De Lorge’s actions demonstrated that while he was brave, he would not tolerate his life being endangered for the sake of vanity and a public spectacle.

(v) Who spoke the words, “No love …. but vanity, sets love a task like that”. What did he want to say?

Answer: Count de Lorge spoke the words, stating that no love, but vanity, sets love a task like that. He wanted to say that the lady’s demand for him to retrieve the glove was not an act of love, because true love cares for the well-being of the beloved. Instead, her action was motivated by her vanity, her desire to grab attention and indulge her pride, without considering the grave danger she was putting him in.

Morning Star/Beeta workbook answers/solutions

Multiiple Choice Questions II

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

2. Who is the ‘one for whom’ he sighed?

A. Count de Lorge
B. King Francis
C. Count de Lorge’s beloved
D. The Queen

Answer: C. Count de Lorge’s beloved

3. Why was it ‘a gallant thing to see that crowning show?

A. It required courage to see 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

4. What was the attitude of the King and his nobles towards the ‘royal beasts’?

A. Apathy
B. Empathy
C. Disgust
D. Fearful

Answer: A. Apathy

5. Select the poetic device used in the phrase—‘horrid laughing jaws’.

A. Paradox
B. Simile
C. Metaphor
D. Metonymy

Answer: A. Paradox

6. Which of the following is suggested by the line given below?
“They bit, they glared, gave blows like beams, a wind went with their paws.”

A. The windy day
B. The speed of the movement of the beasts
C. The way the beasts looked at the audience
D. None of the above

Answer: B. The speed of the movement of the beasts

7. Why did King Francis say that ‘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 out
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

8. The lady in the poem has compared her lover’s bravery with whom among the following?

A. King Francis
B. The two lions
C. The nobles in the court
D. None of the above

Answer: D. None of the above

9. Why did the lady decide to drop her glove in the arena where two lions were fighting?

A. To distract the lions
B. To show her love for her beloved
C. To seek attention of the audience and thereby attain glory
D. None of the above

Answer: C. To seek attention of the audience and thereby attain glory

10. Which figure of speech is used in all the phrases given below?
“Seemed the same; brave as brave; would do wondrous things; great glory will be mine.”

A. Simile
B. Metaphor
C. Paradox
D. Alliteration

Answer: D. Alliteration

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 wants him to do
C. To grab King Francis’ attention
D. None of the above

Answer: B. To suggest that de Lorge would do as she wants him to do

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 is
D. To show his annoyance at her vanity

Answer: D. To show his annoyance at her vanity

13. Which of the following lines contain the same literary device as the following line?
“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: A. Last week in someone’s place we saw a dozen eyeballs on the floor

Context questions and answers

Extract 1

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?

Answer: King Francis was seated in the court, watching a fight between lions. He was there to enjoy the royal sport of lion fighting. The traits described in this stanza depict him as a hearty and sport-loving king.

(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’?

Answer: The audience included nobles and ladies. The Count de Lorge was present, sighing for the woman he loved. The phrase ‘the ladies in their pride’ suggests that the women in the audience were proud and confident, likely adorned in their finest attire.

(iii) What is it referred to as ‘a gallant thing’? Why is it so?

Answer: The ‘gallant thing’ refers to the spectacle of the lion fight, which was a display of bravery and valor, witnessed by the court.

(iv) Explain in your own words the last line of the given extract.

Answer: The last line describes the contrast between the king’s position of authority above and the dangerous, primal conflict of the lions below, symbolising the juxtaposition of royal power and wildness.

(v) Explain briefly how is this poem a ballad.

Answer: This poem is a ballad because it tells a narrative story in verse, often involving love and valor, which are common themes in traditional ballads.

Extract 2

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.

Answer: The lions were in the pit, fighting each other. The audience, including King Francis, nobles, and ladies, were watching them. The lions were described as rampaging with terrifying, laughing jaws as they fought fiercely.

(ii) How can you say that the fight between the two lions was quite ferocious and brutal?

Answer: The fight was ferocious and brutal as the lions bit, glared, and struck with force as strong as beams. The pit was filled with dust, sand, and the lions’ manes, and even bloody foam flew through the air, indicating the intensity of the battle.

(iii) Give two poetic devices used in this extract with one example of each.

Answer:

• Simile: “Gave blows like beams” compares the lions’ powerful strikes to beams.
• Alliteration: “Ramped and roared” uses repetition of the ‘r’ sound to emphasize the lions’ fierceness.

(iv) What did King Francis tell the audience? What is revealed about the king by his remark?

Answer: King Francis told the audience that they were better off watching the fight from a safe distance rather than being in the pit. This reveals his practicality and sense of humour, appreciating the spectacle while acknowledging its danger.

(v) Explain briefly the imagery used in this extract.

Answer: The imagery in this extract vividly describes the ferocity of the lions, using words like “ramped,” “roared,” and “bloody foam,” which evoke a scene filled with noise, motion, and danger.

Extract 3

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.

(i) What did de Lorge’s lover overhear the King say? What did she think about the King?

Answer: De Lorge’s lover overheard King Francis expressing his preference for being a spectator rather than in the pit with the lions. She did not directly think about the King but focused on proving her lover’s bravery.

(ii) How has the speaker described de Lorge’s beloved? Why has she been described as ‘always seemed the same’?

Answer: De Lorge’s beloved is described as a beautiful, lively woman with smiling lips and sharp, bright eyes. She is described as ‘always seemed the same’ to suggest a certain superficiality or constant appearance of charm, regardless of the situation.

(iii) What did she think about de Lorge? What was she sure about?

Answer: She thought that de Lorge was extremely brave and was confident that he would perform extraordinary feats to prove his love for her.

(iv) Which idea struck her? What was her real intention in implementing her idea?

Answer: The idea that struck her was to drop her glove into the lion pit, forcing de Lorge to retrieve it to prove his love. Her real intention was not out of genuine love but to gain glory by displaying her lover’s bravery in front of the audience.

(v) Explain briefly the characteristic traits of de Lorge’s lover as revealed in this extract.

Answer: De Lorge’s lover is revealed to be vain, manipulative, and selfish. She values public glory and tests her lover’s devotion through dangerous, unnecessary challenges.

Extract 4

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) Who is ‘She’ referred to in this extract? Where did she drop her glove? Why did she do so?

Answer: ‘She’ refers to de Lorge’s lover. She dropped her glove into the lion pit to test de Lorge’s love and bravery.

(ii) Why did she look at him and smile? What does it reveal about her?

Answer: She smiled to encourage de Lorge to retrieve the glove, revealing her manipulative and vain nature.

(iii) How did de Lorge react to her smile? What forced him to do so?

Answer: De Lorge bowed and immediately leaped into the lion pit. He felt compelled by the social expectation to prove his love in front of the court.

(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?

Answer: De Lorge quickly retrieved the glove and returned unharmed. After coming back, he threw the glove into the lady’s face, showing his disdain for her test. King Francis applauded his action, agreeing that vanity, not love, had prompted the test.

(v) Explain briefly the theme of the poem.

Answer: The theme of the poem revolves around love, bravery, and vanity. It critiques superficial displays of affection and the dangerous lengths some go to prove love, highlighting that true love is not tested through vain challenges.

Extras/additional

Questions and answers

Extract 1

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) What does the passage reveal about King Francis’ character?

Answer: The passage portrays King Francis as someone who enjoys royal sports, especially the thrilling spectacle of lions fighting. His presence at the event highlights his enthusiasm for courtly entertainment and a love for grand displays of valor.

(ii) Who is Count de Lorge, and what is his role in the scene?

Answer: Count de Lorge is a nobleman attending the event, seated among the crowd. He is significant because he is in love with one of the ladies present, and his emotions will soon lead to a pivotal moment in the story.

(iii) How is the relationship between nobility and spectatorship portrayed?

Answer: The nobles and ladies, including Count de Lorge, are spectators at the event, suggesting that such dangerous displays are part of the courtly culture. Nobility enjoys watching contests of power, be it among lions or within human relationships.

(iv) How does the scene establish the theme of ‘valor and love’?

Answer: The scene establishes the theme of ‘valor and love’ by introducing both the violent spectacle of the lions, representing valor, and the Count’s affection for the lady, representing love. These themes will intertwine as the story progresses.

(v) What does the setting of the scene suggest about the culture of the court?

Answer: The setting suggests that the court culture thrives on grand spectacles, where displays of power, bravery, and social rituals take center stage. It is a place where both danger and romance are public and highly performative.

Extract 4

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 is Count de Lorge’s reaction to the lady’s challenge?

Answer: Count de Lorge reacts swiftly and bravely to the lady’s challenge. He leaps into the lions’ pit, retrieves the glove, and returns to his place without hesitation. However, instead of expressing gratitude, he throws the glove back in her face, rejecting the vanity behind her test.

(ii) What does the Count’s action of throwing the glove signify?

Answer: The Count’s action signifies his disdain for the lady’s shallow and manipulative test of his love. By throwing the glove back in her face, he rejects the idea that love should be proven through dangerous, empty gestures meant to satisfy vanity.

(iii) How does King Francis respond to the Count’s actions?

Answer: King Francis praises Count de Lorge’s actions, agreeing with his rejection of the test. He understands that the lady’s challenge was not born out of love but out of vanity, and he commends the Count for not succumbing to it.

(iv) What moral lesson does King Francis’ comment at the end convey?

Answer: King Francis’ comment conveys the moral lesson that true love does not require dangerous or vain displays to prove itself. He criticizes the lady’s test, implying that real love should not be driven by vanity or selfish motives.

(v) How does the conclusion reflect the themes of love and vanity?

Answer: The conclusion underscores the themes of love and vanity by contrasting the lady’s desire for public admiration with the Count’s rejection of such shallow motives. It suggests that love, when tied to vanity, loses its authenticity, and true love requires no such trials.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. What is King Francis described as at the start of the poem?

A. A serious king B. A friendly king C. A hearty king D. A weary king

Answer: C. A hearty king

30. Why does the poet describe the lions’ “horrid laughing jaws”?

A. For comedy B. For horror C. For cuteness D. For clarity

Answer: B. For horror

Get notes of other classes and subjects

NBSE	SEBA/AHSEC
NCERT	TBSE
WBBSE/WHCHSE	ICSE/ISC
BSEM/COHSEM	Custom Notes for Teachers
MBOSE	Question Papers

Notify change in syllabus/books	Sell PDFs of your books
Request notes not available now	Share PDFs of question papers