Raintree 6 Orpheus

 
William Shakespeare 

William Shakespeare (1564- 1616) is regarded as one of the world's greatest dramatists. He is often called England's national poet and the 'Bard of Avon.' Some of his most famous plays are hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Merchant of Venice.


 In this poem, Shakespeare describes the music of Orpheus and how it has a magical effect on Nature. The poem brings to life the images in the poem and the reader feels that they can almost hear the mythical music of Orpheus' lute. 


Summary: Orpheus

Orpheus created beautiful music with his lute. He made the trees and the mountain

tops bow down. Plants and flowers sprung up every time he played. So, it always

looked like spring.

Even the waves of the sea stopped their restless movement and hung their heads

and lay still. His music helped people too. When people were sad and heard his

music, it made them forget their sorrow and cares for a while and sometimes even

banished them forever.

Orpheus probably felt happy and content when he played music. He knew that the

world of nature loved his music and that he made things grow and flourish with it. He

might have even felt powerful because he knew that he could make the world a

better place. But he might have also found his gift to be unsettling. He was, after all,

a human being and it would have been a great responsibility to have this power. 

POEM ORPHEUS

Comprehension

A. 1. He made the trees and the mountain tops bow down.

2. Plants and flowers sprung up every time he played. So it always looked like spring.

3. They hung their heads and then lay still.

4. It stopped these feelings for a little while or made them go away forever.

B. 1. a. Orpheus created music with his lute.

 b. It might be because they are very still and do not move. Or he could be talking about the winter

when the mountain tops are covered in snow and ice.

2. a. He says this because the waves of the sea move forward and backward relentlessly. They do not

stop at anytime but they do when Orpheus plays his flute.

 b. It helps people forget their sorrow and cares for a while and sometimes even banishes them

forever.

C. Suggested answer (Accept any logical answer).

 Orpheus probably felt happy and content when he played music. He knew that the world of

nature loved his music and that he made things grow and flourish with it. He might have even felt

powerful because he knew that he could make the world a better place. But he might have also

found his gift to be unsettling. He was, after all, a human being and it would have been a great

responsibility to have this power. He might have wondered why he was given this gift and if he was

using it correctly. He might also have wondered what his life would have been like if his music did

not have this power.

D. Free Response

ORPHEUS POEM

A. Answer in brief.

1. What impact did the music of Orpheus have on Nature?

 Ans: Orpheus’ music from his flute had a magical effect on everything around. Everything that

heard his music was enchanted and bowed with respect. Fresh plants and flowers always grew

and the sun and rain made earth pleasant forever. There was so much of melody and freshness

around that it always felt like spring season.

2. How did Orpheus’ music help those in distress?

 Ans: Orpheus’ music was able to heal and give solace to troubled hearts. It put to rest some

troubles of his listeners and kill or wipe out some conflicts altogether.

B. Answer in detail. (Think and answer)

 How does the poet bring out the beauty of sweet music? Do you think Orpheus would have been

aware of the effect of his art on everything around him?

 Free response. Suggested answer: The poem is about the power of sweet music of Orpheus and

how he is able to bend Nature and create an eternal spring with his music and how that music

could even put to rest the uproar of the sea. Any sweet music according to the poet is an art and can

create magic around. The poet uses Orpheus’ music to stress on the effect good music can have on

everything around. Orpheus may not have known what impact his music had. Musicians never know

how their music is received. They sing or play the instrument for their own pleasure. What happens

outside doesn’t usually affect them.