CBSE Class 10 English Literature Reader Not Marble, nor the Gilled Monuments
Not Marble, nor the Gilled Monuments —-By William Shakespeare
Introduction
William Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets. ‘Not Marble, Nor the Gilded Monuments’ is one of them. In this poem, he has used poetic means to create aesthetic effects.
Quick Review / Summary
In this poem, Shakespeare tries to convey the message that nothing in this world can outlive his poetic verses, be it marble or the monuments, that are covered with gold. The monuments wear away with the passage of time but his poetry written for his friend, will live longer than the stone monument which has been left uncared for. Next he has contrasted his verses with the ravages of time on monuments. The fighting, wars all overturn the monuments. They get demolished forever and everybody forgets about them after sometime. But neither Mars, the god of war, nor fire can erase the written memory of his friend’s life. It will continue even after his death. The future generations will also admire him and he will live in the hearts of people till the doomsday, i.e., the day of the last judgement.
Extract Based Questions (3 marks each)(1 mark for each line in each question)
Extract Based Questions (3 marks each)(1 mark for each line in each question)
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Q. 1. “When wasteful war shall statues overturn,
And broils root out the work of masonry,
Nor Mars his sword nor war’s quick fire shall bum The living record of your memory.” (Board Term-I 2013, Set 5007)
(a) The works of masonry that the poet is referring to are………..
(b) Mars is…………..
(c) What does the poet mean by ‘the living record’ ?
Ans. (a) statues and monuments.
(b) the god of war.
(c) His poetry describing his love for his friend.
And broils root out the work of masonry,
Nor Mars his sword nor war’s quick fire shall bum The living record of your memory.” (Board Term-I 2013, Set 5007)
(a) The works of masonry that the poet is referring to are………..
(b) Mars is…………..
(c) What does the poet mean by ‘the living record’ ?
Ans. (a) statues and monuments.
(b) the god of war.
(c) His poetry describing his love for his friend.
Q. 2. Not marble, nor the gilded monuments
Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme;
But you shall shine more bright in these contents Than unswept stone, besmear’d with sluttish time (Board Term-I 2012, Set 41)
(a) The poet’s friend will outlive……………..
(b) What will outshine the other ?
(c) The rhyme scheme of the stanza is……………….
Ans. (a) gold plated buildings of stone built in the memory of someone. 1
(b) The words of this powerful poem written in praise of his friend will outshine those monuments 1
(c) ab, ab 1
Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme;
But you shall shine more bright in these contents Than unswept stone, besmear’d with sluttish time (Board Term-I 2012, Set 41)
(a) The poet’s friend will outlive……………..
(b) What will outshine the other ?
(c) The rhyme scheme of the stanza is……………….
Ans. (a) gold plated buildings of stone built in the memory of someone. 1
(b) The words of this powerful poem written in praise of his friend will outshine those monuments 1
(c) ab, ab 1
Q.3.When wasteful wars shall statues overturn,
And broils root out the work of masonry,
Nor Mars his sword nor war’s quick fire shall burn The living record of your memory.
(a) What will the wasteful wars do ?
(b) What will be the living record of the poet’s friend ?
(c) The poetic device used in the phrase ‘wasteful wars’ is……………….
Ans. (a) They will uproot monuments.
(b) The poem written in his praise.
(c) Alliteration.
And broils root out the work of masonry,
Nor Mars his sword nor war’s quick fire shall burn The living record of your memory.
(a) What will the wasteful wars do ?
(b) What will be the living record of the poet’s friend ?
(c) The poetic device used in the phrase ‘wasteful wars’ is……………….
Ans. (a) They will uproot monuments.
(b) The poem written in his praise.
(c) Alliteration.
Q.4.’Gainst death and all obvious enmity
Shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room,
Even in the eyes of all posterity
That wear this world out to the ending doom.
(a) In line 2, ‘you’ refers to……………….
(b) The poet predicts that, ‘you’ will……………….
(c) The figure of speech in ‘your praise shall still find room’ is………………
Ans. (a) the poet’s friend
(b) live forever through this rhyme
(c) personification
Shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room,
Even in the eyes of all posterity
That wear this world out to the ending doom.
(a) In line 2, ‘you’ refers to……………….
(b) The poet predicts that, ‘you’ will……………….
(c) The figure of speech in ‘your praise shall still find room’ is………………
Ans. (a) the poet’s friend
(b) live forever through this rhyme
(c) personification
Q.5.Not marble, nor the gilded monuments Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme
(a) Princes get monuments made because……………….
(b) The meaning of the word ‘gilded’ is……………….
(c) Monuments won’t outlive this rhyme because……………….
Ans. (a) they want to be remembered forever.
(b) gold plated.
(c) the poem is immortal.
(a) Princes get monuments made because……………….
(b) The meaning of the word ‘gilded’ is……………….
(c) Monuments won’t outlive this rhyme because……………….
Ans. (a) they want to be remembered forever.
(b) gold plated.
(c) the poem is immortal.
Q.6.When wasteful war shall statues overturn,
And broils root out the work of masonry
Nor Mars his sword nor war’s quick fire shall bum
The living record of your memory.
(a) Which poetic device has been used in these lines ?
(b) Find out the word which means ‘fighting, disturbances in war.’
(c) In the line ‘The living record of your memory’, living record refers to
Ans. (a) Alliteration.
(b) Broils.
(c) the sonnet the poet has written for his friend.
And broils root out the work of masonry
Nor Mars his sword nor war’s quick fire shall bum
The living record of your memory.
(a) Which poetic device has been used in these lines ?
(b) Find out the word which means ‘fighting, disturbances in war.’
(c) In the line ‘The living record of your memory’, living record refers to
Ans. (a) Alliteration.
(b) Broils.
(c) the sonnet the poet has written for his friend.
Q.7.”Nor Mars has sword nor war’s quick fire shall bum The living record of your memory
Giants death and all-oblivious enmity Shall you pace forth.”
(a) The ‘living record of your memory’ is……………….
(b) The word ‘your’ represents……………….
(c) ‘Mars’ in the above lines is……………….
Ans. (a) the poem.
(b) the poet’s friend.
(c) the God of war.
Giants death and all-oblivious enmity Shall you pace forth.”
(a) The ‘living record of your memory’ is……………….
(b) The word ‘your’ represents……………….
(c) ‘Mars’ in the above lines is……………….
Ans. (a) the poem.
(b) the poet’s friend.
(c) the God of war.
Short Answer Type Questions (2 marks each)
Q.1.Bring out the sum and substance of Shakespeare’s sonnet, ‘Not Marble,Nor the Gilded Monuments ? (Board 2014, Set PRE2N18)
Ans. In this poem, the poet pays tribute to the quality of his verses also to the intensity of his love for his friend, the Earl of Southampton. The poet is confident that his verses will continue to be read for ever. His friend will outlive all other things of the world when he is described in the poet’s verses. (CBSE Marking Scheme, 2014)
Q. 2. What is the theme of the sonnet ‘Not Marble nor the Gilded Monuments’ ? (Board Term-12013, Set 101, 8SRR, 34)
Ans. This is a poem about time and immortalization. The poet claims that his poem will immortalize his dear one whereas all monuments and statues will meet the dust. (CBSE Marking Scheme, 2014)
Q. 2. What is the theme of the sonnet ‘Not Marble nor the Gilded Monuments’ ? (Board Term-12013, Set 101, 8SRR, 34)
Ans. This is a poem about time and immortalization. The poet claims that his poem will immortalize his dear one whereas all monuments and statues will meet the dust. (CBSE Marking Scheme, 2014)
Q. 3. In what way is the poet stronger than powerful rulers ? (Board Term-12012, Set 32)
Ans. The creation of powerful rulers, i.e., statues and monuments are destroyed by time but the poet is more powerful than these rulers because time cannot destroy his creation, i.e., his poetry.
Ans. The creation of powerful rulers, i.e., statues and monuments are destroyed by time but the poet is more powerful than these rulers because time cannot destroy his creation, i.e., his poetry.
Q. 4. How will the living record of the memory remain according to the poet in ‘Not Marble, nor the Gilded Monuments’ ? (Board Term-12012, Set 36)
Ans. Living record will not be washed away/broken/destroyed as it is in the form of poetry while all the other things will be destroyed.
Ans. Living record will not be washed away/broken/destroyed as it is in the form of poetry while all the other things will be destroyed.
Q. 5. Why does Shakespeare refer to war as ‘wasteful war7 ? (Board Term-I 2012, Set 15)
Ans. Shakespeare refers to war as devastating – destructive – force. He is here describing war destroying stone structures, which relates back to the ‘marble’ and ‘gilded monuments’ that likewise do not last.
Ans. Shakespeare refers to war as devastating – destructive – force. He is here describing war destroying stone structures, which relates back to the ‘marble’ and ‘gilded monuments’ that likewise do not last.
Q. 6. How will the poet’s friend and patron find a permanent place in the hearts of coming generations and lovers ? (Board Term-I 2012, Set 43)
Ans. Poetry will outlive mankind. It will not be ravaged by time. This poem will immortalize his friend. He will stay in the eyes of lovers till doomsday.
Ans. Poetry will outlive mankind. It will not be ravaged by time. This poem will immortalize his friend. He will stay in the eyes of lovers till doomsday.
Q. 7. In the poem, “Not Marble……”, what difference does the poet bring out between his rhyme and the monuments ? (Board Term-I 2012, Set 45)
Ans. Rhymes are eternal, they can’t be destroyed. They are unaffected by wars and time. Monuments are destroyed with passage of time and wars.
Ans. Rhymes are eternal, they can’t be destroyed. They are unaffected by wars and time. Monuments are destroyed with passage of time and wars.
Q. 8. How has the poet personified time ? (Board Term-I 2012, Set 47)
Ans. The poet has personified time as a whore, a woman who is unfaithful. Time is never the same for a person. Even very great men are forgotten with the passage of time.
Ans. The poet has personified time as a whore, a woman who is unfaithful. Time is never the same for a person. Even very great men are forgotten with the passage of time.
Q. 9. How does the poet pay tribute to friendship ? (Board Term-I 2012, Set 48)
Ans. The poet pays tribute to friendship by writing a poem for his friend. The poem will be the, living record’ of his friend’s memory. Neither (leath nor war will be able to destroy his memory. His friend’s praise will remain in the hearts of future generations.
Ans. The poet pays tribute to friendship by writing a poem for his friend. The poem will be the, living record’ of his friend’s memory. Neither (leath nor war will be able to destroy his memory. His friend’s praise will remain in the hearts of future generations.
Q. 10. What according to the poet transcends time in the poem, ‘Not marble, nor the Gilded Monuments’ ? (Board Term-I 2012, Set 49)
Ans. The poet’s verses which immortalize his beloved will outlive the grand memorials or monuments built by princes in their memory. All signs of worldly power, glory and grandeur will fade away with the passage of time. All gold plated monuments, memorials and statues will fall to utter neglect, decay and deterioration. The words of poet’s ‘powerful rhyme’ will be a living record of the memory of his beloved.
Ans. The poet’s verses which immortalize his beloved will outlive the grand memorials or monuments built by princes in their memory. All signs of worldly power, glory and grandeur will fade away with the passage of time. All gold plated monuments, memorials and statues will fall to utter neglect, decay and deterioration. The words of poet’s ‘powerful rhyme’ will be a living record of the memory of his beloved.
Q. 11. How will the ‘living record’ of the poet’s beloved and his memory be more powerful than wasteful wars ? (Board Term-I 2012, Set 51)
Ans. The words of this poem written in praise of the poet’s beloved will survive as a living record of his beloved’s memory. His beloved will be remembered by the coming generations through the words of this poem. Neither the wasteful wars, nor conflicts nor tumults will diminish or dim the shining glory of these words. The words of this sonnet will immortalize the poet’s beloved’s memory.
Ans. The words of this poem written in praise of the poet’s beloved will survive as a living record of his beloved’s memory. His beloved will be remembered by the coming generations through the words of this poem. Neither the wasteful wars, nor conflicts nor tumults will diminish or dim the shining glory of these words. The words of this sonnet will immortalize the poet’s beloved’s memory.
Q. 12. Why does the poem refer to ‘Time’ as being sluttish ? (Board Term-I 2012, Set 54)
Ans. The personification of time as a slut or a loose character woman is quite significant. As a slut is not faithful to anyone man, in the same way time also keeps changing for people. It never remains the same.
Ans. The personification of time as a slut or a loose character woman is quite significant. As a slut is not faithful to anyone man, in the same way time also keeps changing for people. It never remains the same.
Q. 13. How does the time destroy the monuments and memorials ? (Board Term-I 2012, Set 55)
Ans. Time has been portrayed as a powerful element, time spoils the marbled or gilded monuments. It discolours them, breaks them or makes them dirty through its agencies like air, rain, etc.
Ans. Time has been portrayed as a powerful element, time spoils the marbled or gilded monuments. It discolours them, breaks them or makes them dirty through its agencies like air, rain, etc.
Q. 14. Why do rich people get their statues erected ? (Board Term-I 2012, Set 64)
Ans. The poet says that rich men try to get their statues erected and rich monuments made, so that they would be remembered but none of these survive the ravages of time and the men are forgotten.
Ans. The poet says that rich men try to get their statues erected and rich monuments made, so that they would be remembered but none of these survive the ravages of time and the men are forgotten.
Q. 15. The poet says that neither forces of nature, nor war can destroy his poetry. What quality of the poet is revealed through these lines ? (Board Term-12011, Set 29)
Ans. The poet is proud of creating art and literature. These are immortal whereas the material achievements of man are temporary. The poet is known for his self-confidence and also for his contempt for arrogant rulers.
Ans. The poet is proud of creating art and literature. These are immortal whereas the material achievements of man are temporary. The poet is known for his self-confidence and also for his contempt for arrogant rulers.
Q. 16. How long does the poet feel can the lover live in the rhyme written by him ? (Board Term-12011, Set 18)
Ans. According to the poet, the lover can live in the rhyme till the world comes to an end, i.e., the Judgement Day. He is very sure that poetic art is immortal and lives forever.
Ans. According to the poet, the lover can live in the rhyme till the world comes to an end, i.e., the Judgement Day. He is very sure that poetic art is immortal and lives forever.
Q. 17. How has the poet eternalized the subject of his attention in this poem ? (Board Term-12011, Set 26)
Ans. The poet has eternalized the subject of his attention by writing about him/her in his sonnet. According to the poet, stones and gilded monuments are affected by time but a poem lives forever. It cannot be destroyed by the forces of nature or war. It is a written record which will be read and remembered by the future generations thus making it immortal.
Ans. The poet has eternalized the subject of his attention by writing about him/her in his sonnet. According to the poet, stones and gilded monuments are affected by time but a poem lives forever. It cannot be destroyed by the forces of nature or war. It is a written record which will be read and remembered by the future generations thus making it immortal.
Q. 18. Explain in your own words how has ‘poetry’ been glorified by the poet, in the poem, ‘Not Marble, nor the Gilded Monuments’. (Board Term-12011, Set 32)
Ans. The poet has glorified poetry in his poem as poetry makes a man immortal which cannot be done by any other thing. Statues and monuments erected in the rememberance of kings and rulers get destroyed by time. But his poem will outlive all these and will be a written record. It will immortalise his friend. No force of nature can outdo it.
Ans. The poet has glorified poetry in his poem as poetry makes a man immortal which cannot be done by any other thing. Statues and monuments erected in the rememberance of kings and rulers get destroyed by time. But his poem will outlive all these and will be a written record. It will immortalise his friend. No force of nature can outdo it.
Q. 19. How will posterity remember the poet’s friend ? (Board Term-12011, Set 35)
Ans. The poet’s friend will live forever through verse. Everything else will be destroyed by the powerful passage of time. The poem will serve as a written record which will move forward against death that makes others forget everything. But the posterity, will read his verses and admire them till the doomsday. His friend will be eternalised through his verses as wars and forces of nature can’t affect it. He will outshine all others through his poems.
Ans. The poet’s friend will live forever through verse. Everything else will be destroyed by the powerful passage of time. The poem will serve as a written record which will move forward against death that makes others forget everything. But the posterity, will read his verses and admire them till the doomsday. His friend will be eternalised through his verses as wars and forces of nature can’t affect it. He will outshine all others through his poems.
Q. 20. What message does the poet wish to convey through his poem ‘Not Marble……’
Ans. The poem conveys the message that the great and noble souls leave an indelible impact on their fellow beings and are remembered for a long time. Poet feels his poem will outlive the ravages of time. According to him, marble and stone monuments fail to immortalize rich and the powerful. He claims his poem will live longer than any man-made monuments.
Ans. The poem conveys the message that the great and noble souls leave an indelible impact on their fellow beings and are remembered for a long time. Poet feels his poem will outlive the ravages of time. According to him, marble and stone monuments fail to immortalize rich and the powerful. He claims his poem will live longer than any man-made monuments.
Q. 21. Describe how the monuments and statues brave the ravages of time.
Ans. Time leaves its marks on everything as everything in this world is mortal. None can fight time. Monuments and statues break and get dirty with the passage of time. They also get demolished during wars.
Ans. Time leaves its marks on everything as everything in this world is mortal. None can fight time. Monuments and statues break and get dirty with the passage of time. They also get demolished during wars.
Long Answer Type Questions (4 marks each)
Q. 1. Materialistic things don’t really last. What matters most are the people we care about and the values we live with. Explain this with reference to the poem ‘Not Marble, nor the Gilded Monuments’. (Board 2014, Set QUD9VQW)
Ans. Value Points:
everything comes to an end one day
what is most important is our relationship with our dear ones,
the poet strengthens this idea that riches don’t matter
what is more valuable is his love for his friend.
everything comes to an end one day
what is most important is our relationship with our dear ones,
the poet strengthens this idea that riches don’t matter
what is more valuable is his love for his friend.
Detailed Answer:
It is a well known truth that materialistic things don’t really last. All signs of worldly power, glory and grandeur fade away with the passage of time. Kings and princes got their monuments erected so as to be remembered by the future generation. But all gold plated monuments, memorials and statues fall to utter neglect, decay and deterioration. They all meet the dust as they fail to outlive the ravages of time. In stark contrast to this are our relationships. They are immortal. They don’t get destroyed by time. Rather they get strengthened with the passage of time. The poet is also of the opinion that riches don’t matter much in this world. What is more valuable is his love for his friend. Their love would live longer than any man-made monuments. Neither death nor war will be able to destroy his memory. Herice, it is our love and relationship which matters more in this 1 world. All other things come to an end one day.
Q. 2. You were extremely impressed to read the poem ‘Not Marble, nor the Gilded Monuments’. Write a letter to a friend telling her about the’ poem and your new found interest in poetry. Sign yourself as Amit/Amita of 39, D-Block, Model Town, Delhi. (Board Term-12011)
Ans.
39, D-Block Model Town Delhi
5 March, 2014
39, D-Block Model Town Delhi
5 March, 2014
Dear Archit
Yesterday, I read a beautiful poem written by Shakespeare, ‘Not Marble, Nor the Gilded Monuments’. It is a sonnet which has fourteen lines in all. It highlights the smallness of our existence, our achievements and our false glory. After reading the poem I realized that ‘art’ is immortal whereas ‘time’ is very powerful. It leaves its marks on everything. Nobody can fight time. The poem has left a deep imprint on my mind. I have developed a great interest in poetry and will try to read some more poems.
Love
Amit
Amit
