Q15. What does the expression ‘Scythe and Spade’ stand for in the poem ‘Death the Leveller’? *
for a king or ruler
poor working farmers and labourers
for dead people
none of these
Answers
poor working farmers and labourers
Answer:
The poet thinks that the glories of our blood and state are shadows because they are not substantial. They do not last long.
Question 2.
What do ‘sceptre and crown’, and ‘scythe and spade’ stand for? What do they symbolize?
Answer:
Sceptre and crown stand for royal authority and scythe and spade stand for the working class. The first one symbolizes kings (power and authority) and the second symbolizes the ordinary, working class people.
Question 3.
Why does the poet say that ‘there is no armour against fate’?
Answer:
The poet says that ‘there is no armour against fate’ because death comes to everyone. Nobody can resist it. No armour can protect us from death.
Question 4.
‘Some men with swords may reap the field’ What does this mean?
Answer:
This means that mighty men conquer lands fighting with weapons.
Question 5.
What is the fate of men with swords who hope to reap the field?
Answer:
They also will have to surrender before fate and die one day. All are captives of Death.
Question 6.
What does Death’s purple altar refer to?
Answer:
It refers to death which is inevitable. It also refers to the bloodshed in the battle field, causing the death of many people.
Question 7.
What does the phrase ‘victorvictim’ mean?
Answer:
‘Victorvictim’ means the conqueror and the conquered.
Question 8.
What can survive death? What are the things that blossom in the dust? Why?
Answer:
The good actions of the just can survive death. The good deeds of virtuous men blossom in the dust because they will never perish.
Question 9.
Why is death called the leveler?
Answer:
All are equal before death. Death takes away everyone high and low, rich and poor, learned and ignorant alike. With death everyone becomes equal.