AFTER BLENHEIM
He came to ask what he had found, That was so large, smooth, and round. i) Describe the opening scene of the poem. ii) How did Old Kaspar reply to his grandson when the child asked about the round object? iii) What questions do the children ask shortly? What does their grandfather tell them? iv) What atrocities were committed during the Battle of Blenheim? v) Who were the heroes of the battle? What does Wilhelmine think about them? vi) What is your opinion of Old Kaspar’s character in the poem?
Answers
Answer:
Explanation:
The old man was the grandfather of the children. He was the narrator of the war that took place in 1704 and was fought between the English and French. He was sitting before his cottage while his granddaughter Wilhelmine was playing on the grass and his grandson Peterkin was playing near the stream that was somewhere near his cottage.
Yes, Kaspar was certainly in good mood as he had finished his work and at the time he was sitting in front of the door of his cottage, the sun was going to set so it was not too hot. The surrounding were full of trees and grass. Apart from all these things his granddaughter Wilhelmine was playing before him. Hence, he had every reason to be happy and cheerful.
As the stanza stars with ‘summer evening’, it indicates that the place is illuminated with pleasant full light. The green is the symbol of greenery and vegetation that enhance the beauty of the surroundings. The place is situated next to a river that brings more charm to the place.
Kaspar’s grandson Peterkin had found a smooth and round object while playing. Actually it was a skull. It must be one of the soldiers who had died during the battle. Their bodies were left in the open to smell and decay.