Question

Why is the poet eager to know the theme of the solitary reaper's song ? What different guesses does he make about its subject matter?
What impact does the solitary reaper's song make on the poet?

Answer 1

1. The poet is eager to know the theme of the solitary reaper’s song because she was singing in a very melodious tone. But she was singing in Highland Scottish language which he did not understand.  He liked the tone and the melody. He might have felted curious to know the theme of the song also. 

2. The poet made many guesses about the reaper’s song. He guessed she might be singing about some old, unhappy, far off things. He also thought she might be singing about battles fought long ago. He also thought she might be singing some ordinary song pertaining to contemporary matter or some natural sorrow, loss or pain.  

3.The poet found the quality of the reaper’s song quite divine and sublime. He was so much attracted by her song that he stood transfixed. The words or expressions in the poem which highlight the quality of her song are given below:

No nightingale did ever chant

               More welcome notes to weary bands

              Of Travellers in some shady haunt.

               Among Arabian Sands