Poetry
4. The Noble Nature [Ben Jonson]
6.Match Any FOUR of the following words in Column-A with their meaning/definition in Column B [4×1=4 Marks]
| 1] bulk | size, quantity, mass |
| 2] doth | old form of ‘does’ |
| 3] oak | a large tree with hard wood |
| 4] log | the trunk of a dead tree |
| 5] bald | without leaves, flowers etc |
| 6] sere | without moisture, dry |
| 7] proportion | quantities; measures |
2. Answer the following questions in about 100 words each : [ 2 x 4 = 8 Marks ]
1] Discuss the aptness of the title ‘The Noble Nature’ for the poem
2] Bulk does not make Man better be. How does the oak support this stand?
3] Explain with the example of the lily that size matters not but beauty counts a lot.
The poem “The Noble Nature” is written by “Ben Jonson “. the 17th-century playwright. He is regarded as the second most popular English dramatist after Shakespeare. He is very well known for his comedy of humour like “Every man in His Humour”. As a poet, he proved his expertise with his lyrics .
The poem “The Noble Nature” talks about what makes a man noble. The poet employs examples from flora to drive his point becoming a great man does not mean growing like a tree neither long life nor large size can help one attain nobility. He compares man to sturdy Oak tree and a delicate Lily in order to do this. The Oak tree grows big and bulky and lives too long it lives for 300 years, soon it looks dull and unimpressive it falls like a log-dry, leafless and sapless becomes a lifeless dry, and withered piece of log. So too will be the fate of a man who is only blessed with long life and physical and material well-being it is not how long we live that matters but how well we lived, on the other hand Lily is shiny and bright in looks In May and looks very beautiful. Although the lily flower flourishes for a day and shines for a short while. it spreads beauty and delight to others. Yet, it pleases many. Beauty-even in the little measures-fills hearts with thrills. Quality adds nobility to life. Smartness, even in small measures, impress and impacts everyone. as the famous poet John Keats says ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever’ .
Thus, the poet highlights the points that quantity counts
more than quality. Matter matters, not the magnitude.
THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE IS DETERMINED BY THE QUALITY OF YOUR THOUGHTS
OR
The poem “The Noble Nature” is written by “Ben Jonson “. He is regarded as the second most popular English dramatist after Shakespeare. He is very well known for his comedy of humour like “Every man in His Humour”.
The poem “The Noble Nature” tells us about the usefulness of our life .The poem talks about what makes a man noble. He compares man to sturdy Oak tree and a delicate Lily in order to do this. The Oak tree grows big and bulky and lives too long it lives for 300 years, soon it becomes a lifeless dry, So too will be the fate of a man who is only blessed with long life, In May, the lily flower flourishes for a day and shines for a short while. Yet, it pleases many. It is not how long we live that matters but how well we lived.
Thus, the poet highlights the points that quantity counts
more than quality.