Get notes, line-by-line explanation, summary, questions and answers, critical analysis, word meanings, workbook solutions (Evergreen and Morning Star), 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.
Video tutorial
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. What kind of king was Francis?
A. cruel B. good-natured C. lusty D. wicked
Answer: B. good-natured
2. How would the modern generation look upon such royal sports as lion fighting?
A. amusingly B. sarcastically C. admiringly D. disapprovingly
Answer: D. disapprovingly
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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.
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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 onefor 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.
1. Where was the king sitting? What was going on?
Answer: The king was sitting on the court, watching a royal sport where his lions were fighting.
(i) For whom did the king ‘sigh’, and why?
Answer: The king sighed for a lady, one for whom Count de Lorge had feelings, because he was captivated by her beauty and charm.
(ii) Explain the last line here.
Answer: The last line underscores the grand spectacle being witnessed – a blend of bravery (from the lions and the individuals), love (among the courtiers and the count for his beloved), with the king observing from above and the fierce lions below, highlighting the contrasts of love, courage, and royalty.
(iv) What picture of De Lorge’s beloved has the poet given later in the context?
Answer: Later in the context, the poet describes De Lorge’s beloved as a beautiful and lively young woman, with smiling lips and sharp, bright eyes that always reflected beauty and charm.
(v) Why did De Lorge’s beloved think of testing his valour?
Answer: De Lorge’s beloved thought of testing his valour because she saw an opportunity to prove his love for her in a grand manner in front of the king and the court, aiming to gain attention and glory for herself.
PASSAGE-2
Ramped and roared the lions, with horrid laughingjaws;
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? Who were watching it?
Answer: A fierce fight between lions, described as a royal sport, was in progress, being watched by King Francis, his courtiers, and the nobility gathered in the court.
(ii) Who stole the heart of King Francis? In what state of mind was he?
Answer: The beauty of Count de Lorge’s beloved stole King Francis’s heart. He was infatuated, captivated by her charm, which put him in a state of admiration and slight envy.
(iii) Describe the lions’ fight briefly.
Answer: The lions’ fight was ferocious and intense, with the lions roaring, biting, and glaring at each other, giving powerful blows and rolling over one another, creating a thunderous chaos in the pit.
(iv) What did the air carry afar? What did it reveal?
Answer: The air carried the bloody foam from the lions’ fight, whisking it through the bars of the arena, revealing the brutality and the ferocity of the ongoing battle.
(v) Comment on the king’s remark. Who was attracted by his comment?
Answer: The king remarked that they were better off watching from a distance than being near the dangerous fight, highlighting the relief of being safe. De Lorge’s beloved was attracted by his comment, perhaps seeing it as an opportunity to test her lover’s bravery.
PASSAGE-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 kind of show was witnessed by the king and his courtiers? What had distracted the king’s attention?
Answer: The king and his courtiers witnessed a show of lions fighting, a royal sport. The king’s attention was distracted by the beauty of Count de Lorge’s beloved.
(ii) What did De Lorge’s beloved think about him? What was she sure of?
Answer: De Lorge’s beloved thought of him as brave as one can be, sure that he would undertake extraordinary feats to demonstrate his love for her.
(iii) What thought struck her? What were her real intentions?
Answer: The thought that struck her was to drop her glove into the lions’ pit to test her lover’s bravery and devotion. Her real intentions were to garner attention and glory for herself among the royal attendance.
(iv) What happened when the lady threw her glove into the pit and smiled at her lover?
Answer: When the lady threw her glove into the pit and smiled at her lover, De Lorge quickly leaped among the lions, retrieved the glove, and, upon returning, threw the glove back at her, demonstrating his bravery but also his disapproval of 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) Who were watching the lion fight? How was the fight going on?
Answer: King Francis, his courtiers, and the nobility were watching the lion fight, which was intense and fierce, with lions demonstrating their wild nature and strength.
(ii) What idea struck De Lorge’s beloved? How did she put it into practice?
Answer: The idea that struck De Lorge’s beloved was to test her lover’s love by dropping her glove into the pit with the lions to see if he would retrieve it. She put it into practice by actually dropping her glove and looking at him expectantly.
(iii) What could have happened to De Lorge?
Answer: De Lorge could have been attacked and possibly killed by the lions when he jumped into the pit to retrieve the glove, highlighting the dangerous nature of the task.
(iv) Comment on De Lorge’s reaction when he came back safe from the pit.
Answer: De Lorge’s reaction upon returning safely was one of anger and disapproval; he threw the glove at the lady’s face, signaling his realization that her request was motivated by vanity, not love.
(v) What no one else but De Lorge understand at the end?
Answer: At the end, De Lorge alone understood that the task set by his beloved was not a test of love but an act of vanity, meant to attract attention rather than express genuine affection.
Morning Star 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
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger. He manages Online Free Notes and reads Victorian literature. His favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and he hopes to travel the world. Get in touch with him by sending him a friend request.
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Good explanation
nice answers bro
good for icse students ❤️
Happy
Beautiful explanation.Really helpful😊😊