The Poetry of Earth DQ
The Poetry of Earth
John Keats [1795-1821]
Descriptive Questions – 6 Marks
1. Write the substance or summary of the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’.
👉In his poem “The Poetry of Earth” Keats celebrates the music of earth which never comes to an end at any point of time. It is a continuous celebration through the cycle of seasons. In this poem Keats wants to establish this fact through the voice of the Grasshopper in summer and through the voice of the Cricket in Winter.
In summer when all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, then it seems to one that the music of the earth is dead. But still one hears the music of earth in nature. The ever-active Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury and he sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer, keeps the poetry of earth alive in its own way.
Similarly, the Cricket, the poet of winter, carries the music of earth forward in the midst of frosty, silent winter evening. The shrill song of the Cricket breaks the silence of the winter. To one in drowsiness half-lost, sitting beside the fireplace, the Cricket’s song seems to be the continuation of the Grasshopper is among some grassy hills. Thus the poetry of earth never ceases.
Related Questions
[I] Why does Keats feel that the poetry of earth is never dead? [WBCHSE H.S. 2015]
[II] How does Keats show that the ‘poetry of earth’ never cease? [WBCHSE H.S. 2019]
[III] How does Keats show that the ‘poetry of earth’ is never dead? [WBCHSE H.S. 2022]
[IV] What picture of summer is presented in ‘The Poetry of Earth’? How has it been carried onto the picture of winter? [4+2] [WBCHSE H.S. 2016]
[V] How does Keats draw the picture of two seasons in the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’?
[VI] Write on how Keats finds a linking tune between the two pictures in the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’.
[VII] What role do the Grasshopper and the Cricket play in the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’?
[VIII] In what voices the music of earth prevail? How does Keats establish its continuity through these voices? [2+4]
[IX] What picture of the two seasons does Keats draw in “The Poetry of Earth”? How are the two pictures related to each other? [3+3]
[X] What does the poet assert in his poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’ and how? [1+5]
[XI] “Keats’s ‘The Poetry of Earth’ is a poem that depicts the continuous celebration through the cycle of seasons.” Justify the above statement.
[XII] “Music of the earth is a continuous celebration through the cycle of seasons.” Discuss how Keats expresses it in the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’.
[XIII] Following John Keats’s ‘The Poetry of Earth’ narrate the activities of the birds and the Grasshopper during the summer season. How does the cricket in winter season provide hope? [4+2]
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2. What does Keats mean by ‘the poetry of earth’? Why does he say that this poetry never ceases? [2+4] [WBCHSE H.S. 2017]
👉 By ‘The Poetry of Earth’ Keats means ‘the music of earth’ which never comes to an end at any point of time.
In his poem “The Poetry of Earth” Keats celebrates the music of earth which never comes to an end at any point of time. It is a continuous celebration through the cycle of seasons. In this poem Keats wants to establish this fact through the voice of the Grasshopper in summer and through the voice of the Cricket in Winter.
In summer when all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, then it seems to one that the music of the earth is dead. But still one hears the music of earth in nature. The ever-active Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury and he sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer, keeps the poetry of earth alive in its own way.
Similarly, the Cricket, the poet of winter, carries the music of earth forward in the midst of frosty, silent winter evening. The shrill song of the Cricket breaks the silence of the winter. To one in drowsiness half-lost, sitting beside the fireplace, the Cricket’s song seems to be the continuation of the Grasshopper is among some grassy hills. Thus the poetry of earth never ceases.
3. Justify the title of the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’. [WBCHSE H.S. 2018]
👉In his poem “The Poetry of Earth” Keats celebrates the music of earth which never comes to an end at any point of time. It is a continuous celebration through the cycle of seasons. In this poem Keats wants to establish this fact through the voice of the Grasshopper in summer and through the voice of the Cricket in Winter.
In summer when all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, then it seems to one that the music of the earth is dead. But still one hears the music of earth in nature. The ever-active Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury and he sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer, keeps the poetry of earth alive in its own way.
Similarly, the Cricket, the poet of winter, carries the music of earth forward in the midst of frosty, silent winter evening. The shrill song of the Cricket breaks the silence of the winter. To one in drowsiness half-lost, sitting beside the fireplace, the Cricket’s song seems to be the continuation of the Grasshopper is among some grassy hills. Thus the poetry of earth never ceases. The title of the of the poem clearly justifies the idea that the poetry of earth is never dead, and so it is apt.
Related Questions
[I] In about 100 words justify the title of the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’. [6] [WBCHSE H.S. 2024]
[II] Why do you think the poet has named his poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’?
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4. What does the word ‘poetry’ mean here in the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’? Why does Keats feel that the poetry of earth is never dead? [2+4]
👉 Here in the poem “The Poetry of Earth” the word ‘poetry’ means ‘music’. Here Keats celebrates the music of earth which never comes to an end at any point of time.
In his poem “The Poetry of Earth” Keats celebrates the music of earth which never comes to an end at any point of time. It is a continuous celebration through the cycle of seasons. In this poem Keats wants to establish this fact through the voice of the Grasshopper in summer and through the voice of the Cricket in Winter.
In summer when all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, then it seems to one that the music of the earth is dead. But still one hears the music of earth in nature. The ever-active Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury and he sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer, keeps the poetry of earth alive in its own way.
Similarly, the Cricket, the poet of winter, carries the music of earth forward in the midst of frosty, silent winter evening. The shrill song of the Cricket breaks the silence of the winter. To one in drowsiness half-lost, sitting beside the fireplace, the Cricket’s song seems to be the continuation of the Grasshopper is among some grassy hills. Thus the poetry of earth never ceases.
5. “The poetry of earth is never dead.” How does Keats establish this view in his poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’?
👉In his poem “The Poetry of Earth” Keats celebrates the music of earth which never comes to an end at any point of time. It is a continuous celebration through the cycle of seasons. In this poem Keats wants to establish this fact through the voice of the Grasshopper in summer and through the voice of the Cricket in Winter.
In summer when all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, then it seems to one that the music of the earth is dead. But still one hears the music of earth in nature. The ever-active Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury and he sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer, keeps the poetry of earth alive in its own way.
Similarly, the Cricket, the poet of winter, carries the music of earth forward in the midst of frosty, silent winter evening. The shrill song of the Cricket breaks the silence of the winter. To one in drowsiness half-lost, sitting beside the fireplace, the Cricket’s song seems to be the continuation of the Grasshopper is among some grassy hills. Thus the poetry of earth never ceases.
Related Question
“The poetry of earth is ceasing never” Where is the line taken from? Why is the poetry of earth never dead? [1+5]
👉The above line has been taken from the poem “The Poetry of Earth” by John Keats.
In his poem “The Poetry of Earth” Keats celebrates the music of earth which never comes to an end at any point of time. It is a continuous celebration through the cycle of seasons. In this poem Keats wants to establish this fact through the voice of the Grasshopper in summer and through the voice of the Cricket in Winter.
In summer when all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, then it seems to one that the music of the earth is dead. But still one hears the music of earth in nature. The ever-active Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury and he sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer, keeps the poetry of earth alive in its own way.
Similarly, the Cricket, the poet of winter, carries the music of earth forward in the midst of frosty, silent winter evening. The shrill song of the Cricket breaks the silence of the winter. To one in drowsiness half-lost, sitting beside the fireplace, the Cricket’s song seems to be the continuation of the Grasshopper is among some grassy hills. Thus the poetry of earth never ceases.
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6. Identify the voices of the ‘Poetry of Earth’. How does Keats establish its continuity through these voices? [2+4] [WBCHSE H.S. 2020]
👉 In his poem “The Poetry of Earth” Keats presents two voices of the poetry of earth. The voices are the voice of the Grasshopper in summer and the other one is the voice of Cricket in winter.
In his poem “The Poetry of Earth” Keats celebrates the music of earth which never comes to an end at any point of time. It is a continuous celebration through the cycle of seasons. In this poem Keats wants to establish this fact through the voice of the Grasshopper in summer and through the voice of the Cricket in Winter.
In summer when all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, then it seems to one that the music of the earth is dead. But still one hears the music of earth in nature. The ever-active Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury and he sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer, keeps the poetry of earth alive in its own way.
Similarly, the Cricket, the poet of winter, carries the music of earth forward in the midst of frosty, silent winter evening. The shrill song of the Cricket breaks the silence of the winter. To one in drowsiness half-lost, sitting beside the fireplace, the Cricket’s song seems to be the continuation of the Grasshopper is among some grassy hills. Thus the poetry of earth never ceases.
7. Who are the two songsters of nature and what seasons do they represent? How do they carry nature’s song forward during the void created? [2+4]
👉The two songsters of nature in Keats’s sonnet “The Poetry of Earth” are the Grasshopper and the Cricket. The Grasshopper is the representative of summer, and the Cricket is the representative of winter season.
In his poem “The Poetry of Earth” Keats celebrates the music of earth which never comes to an end at any point of time. It is a continuous celebration through the cycle of seasons. In this poem Keats wants to establish this fact through the voice of the Grasshopper in summer and through the voice of the Cricket in Winter.
In summer when all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, then it seems to one that the music of the earth is dead. But still one hears the music of earth in nature. The ever-active Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury and he sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer, keeps the poetry of earth alive in its own way.
Similarly, the Cricket, the poet of winter, carries the music of earth forward in the midst of frosty, silent winter evening. The shrill song of the Cricket breaks the silence of the winter. To one in drowsiness half-lost, sitting beside the fireplace, the Cricket’s song seems to be the continuation of the Grasshopper is among some grassy hills. Thus the poetry of earth never ceases.
8. Name the poet who composed the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’. What is meant by ‘the poetry of earth’? How does the poet read the poetry of earth? [1+1+4]
👉The poet of beauty John Keats composed the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’.
By ‘the poetry of earth’ the poet means the music of earth which never comes to an end at any point of time.
In his poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’ John Keats asserts or celebrates the music of earth which never comes to an end at any point of time.
In his poem “The Poetry of Earth” Keats celebrates the music of earth which never comes to an end at any point of time. It is a continuous celebration through the cycle of seasons. In this poem Keats wants to establish this fact through the voice of the Grasshopper in summer and through the voice of the Cricket in Winter.
In summer when all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, then it seems to one that the music of the earth is dead. But still one hears the music of earth in nature. The ever-active Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury and he sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer, keeps the poetry of earth alive in its own way.
Similarly, the Cricket, the poet of winter, carries the music of earth forward in the midst of frosty, silent winter evening. The shrill song of the Cricket breaks the silence of the winter. To one in drowsiness half-lost, sitting beside the fireplace, the Cricket’s song seems to be the continuation of the Grasshopper is among some grassy hills. Thus the poetry of earth never ceases.
9. Write a short note on the central idea or inner meaning or theme or message of the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’.
👉The message of the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’ is clearly suggested in the following two lines :
“The poetry of earth is never dead.” [Opening line]
“The poetry of earth is ceasing never.” [First line of the sestet]
Through these lines Keats asserts emphatically that the poetry of earth is present in every season, and it will never come to an end. In his poem Keats wants to establish this fact through the voice of the Grasshopper in summer and through the voice of the Cricket in winter. In summer when all birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees, a void is created, and then the Grasshopper comes forward to fill the void with its music.
Similarly the poetry of earth never ceases in winter. In winter the Cricket’s song breaks the silence produced by the winter frost. Thus the poetry of earth is never dead.
10. “He takes the lead,” Who takes the lead and when? Why does he take the lead and what does he do? [2+4]
👉In Keats’s sonnet ‘The Poetry of Earth’ the Grasshopper, the singer of summer takes the lead, when in summer all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop their singing.
Because of the hot sun when all the birds are faint, a void is created in nature. To fill the void with its music the Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury. He sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed to resume his song with renewed energy. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer takes the lead and keeps the poetry of earth alive in his own way.
Related Question
“He takes the lead,” Who is ‘he’ referred to here? When does he take the lead? How does he take the lead? [1+1+4]
👉Here ‘he’ refers to the Grasshopper who takes the lead in summer luxury.
When in summer all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, he takes the lead.
Because of the hot sun when all the birds are faint, a void is created in nature. To fill the void with its music the Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury. He sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed to resume his song with renewed energy. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer takes the lead and keeps the poetry of earth alive in his own way.
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11. “A voice will run” Where does this line occur? Whose ‘voice’ is referred to here? Where will the voice run and when? What is the significance of the voice? [1+1+2+2]
👉The above line occurs in Keats’s sonnet ‘The Poetry of Earth’.
Here the voice of the Grasshopper is referred to in the above line.
The voice of the Grasshopper, the poet of summer, will run from hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead.
When in summer all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, a voice will run, and that will be the voice of the Grasshopper.
Because of the hot sun when all the birds are faint, a void is created in nature. To fill the void with its music the Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury. He sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed to resume his song with renewed energy. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer takes the lead and keeps the poetry of earth alive in his own way.
Related Question
“A voice will run” Whose voice is it? Where will the voice run? When? What will be the effect? / What role does the voice play here? [1+1+1+3]
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12. “When all the birds are faint….” Why are all the birds faint? What do the birds do? Who takes up the role of the birds and how? [1+1+4]
👉In the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’ all the birds are faint with the hot sun.
Being faint with the hot sun, the birds hide in cooling trees and stop their singing.
In summer when all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, then it seems to one that the music of the earth is dead. But still one hears the music of earth in nature. The ever-active Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury and he sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer, keeps the poetry of earth alive in its own way.
13. “He has never done with his delights.” Where does the line occur? Who is referred to here as ‘he’? Explain the line with reference to the context. [1+1+4]
👉The above line occurs in Keats’s sonnet ‘The Poetry of Earth’.
Here ‘he’ refers to the Grasshopper, the poet of summer.
In summer when all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, then it seems to one that the music of the earth is dead. But still one hears the music of earth in nature. The ever-active Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury and he sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer, keeps the poetry of earth alive in its own way.
Related Question
“He has never done with his delights.” Who is ‘he’ here? What does ‘he’ do? Why has ‘he’ never done with his delight? What does the extract mean? [1+1+1+3]
👉Here ‘he’ refers to the Grasshopper, the poet of summer.
He sings merrily throughout the summer, and whose ‘delight’ never comes to an end.
In summer when all the birds all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, then it seems to one that the music of the earth is dead. But still one hears the music of earth in nature. The ever-active Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury and he sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer, keeps the poetry of earth alive in its own way.
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14. “He rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed.” Who is ‘he’ here? Where does he rest? When does he take rest? How does he take part in nature’s music? / How does he enliven nature? [1+1+1+3]
👉Here ‘he’ refers to the Grasshopper, the poet of summer.
He rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed.
When tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed.
In summer when all the birds all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, then it seems to one that the music of the earth is dead. But still one hears the music of earth in nature. The ever-active Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury and he sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer, keeps the poetry of earth alive in its own way.
Related Question
“He rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed…” From which poem is the line quoted? Who is the poet? Who ‘rests at ease’ and when? Describe his activities. [1+1+2+2] [WBCHSE H.S. 2023]
👉The above mentioned line is quoted from the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’
The poet of the poem is John Keats.
When tired out with fun, the Grasshopper, the poet of summer rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed.
In summer when all the birds all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, then it seems to one that the music of the earth is dead. But still one hears the music of earth in nature. The ever-active Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury and he sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer, keeps the poetry of earth alive in its own way.
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15. How does Keats portray the music of summer in his poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’?
👉In his poem “The Poetry of Earth” Keats celebrates the music of earth which never comes to an end at any point of time. It is a continuous celebration through the cycle of seasons. In this poem Keats wants to establish this fact through the voice of the Grasshopper in summer and through the voice of the Cricket in Winter.
In summer when all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, then it seems to one that the music of the earth is dead. But still one hears the music of earth in nature. The ever-active Grasshopper takes the lead in summer luxury and he sings merrily as he moves about from hedge to hedge in the new-mown mead. It seems that his song will never come to an end. But when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed. Thus the Grasshopper, the poet of summer, keeps the poetry of earth alive in its own way.
Related Questions
[I] How does Keats draw or portray the poetry of summer season in his poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’?
[II] What role does the Grasshopper play throughout the warm summer in ‘The Poetry of Earth’?
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16. How does the Cricket continue the song of the Grasshopper in winter?
👉In his poem “The Poetry of Earth” Keats celebrates the music of earth which never comes to an end at any point of time. It is a continuous celebration through the cycle of seasons. In this poem Keats wants to establish this fact through the voice of the Grasshopper in summer and through the voice of the Cricket in Winter.
In winter the Cricket, the poet of winter, carries the music of earth forward in the midst of frosty, silent winter evening. The shrill song of the Cricket breaks the silence of the winter. To one in drowsiness half-lost, sitting beside the fireplace, the Cricket’s song seems to be the continuation of the Grasshopper is among some grassy hills.
Related Questions
[I] How, according to Keats, can the poetry of earth be heard in winter?
[II] “The poetry of earth can also be heard in winter.” Discuss with difference to the poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’.
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17. “The poetry of earth is ceasing never.” When does the poetry of earth seem ceasing? Who take the lead to continue the poetry? How do they do so? [2+2+2]
👉In summer when all the birds are faint with the hot sun and hide in cooling trees and stop singing, then it seems to one that the music of the earth is dead. But the poetry of earth is never dead. It continues through the cycle of seasons.
Though it seems one that the poetry of earth is dead, still the music of earth is heard in nature. The Grasshopper in summer and the Cricket in winter take the lead to continue the poetry of earth.
In summer, the Grasshopper, by singing merrily, as he moves about from hedge to hedge, keeps the poetry of earth alive in its own way. Similarly, the Cricket, the poet of winter, carries the music of earth forward in the midst of frosty, silent winter evening.
18. Who in Keats’s sonnet compose the poetry of earth? Find out contrasts between the poetry of summer and that of winter. What is the tune of the poem? [1+4+1]
Related Question
Show how John Keats has built up a contrast between two different seasons to reproduce the theme of his poem “The Poetry of Earth”.
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19. “When the frost has wrought a silence,” What is ‘frost’? How can it be wrought a silence? Who changes this silence and how? [1+2+3]
20. Assess ‘The Poetry of Earth’ as a sonnet.
Related Question
Why does the poet choose the sonnet form for his poem ‘The Poetry of Earth’? Give reasons.
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21. “On a lone winter evening” How does the poet describe the loneliness and silence of winter?
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