The Victorian Era II

Read this excerpt from "The World" by Christina Rossetti: By day she wooes me, soft, exceeding fair; But all night as the moon so changeth she; Loathsome and foul with hideous leprosy And subtle serpents gliding in her hair. By day she wooes me to the outer air, Ripe fruits, sweet flowers, and full satiety: But thro' the night, a beast she grins at me, A very monster void of love and prayer, By day she stands a lie: Which statement best describes the theme? Love escapes us because of the change from day to night. Nighttime is monstrous, but it is better than daytime. Beauty can be alluring, but it is also dangerous. Daytime hides the danger and intrigue of night.

Daytime hides the danger and intrigue of night.

Read this excerpt from "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning: —and if she let Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse, —E'en then would be some stooping: and I choose Never to stoop. Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt, Whene'er I passed her; but who passed without Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together. What conclusion can you draw about the speaker's character? He seems passive. He is extremely arrogant. He has a stooping gait. He is very somber.

He is extremely arrogant.

In which line in this poem does the speaker compare her love to the pursuit of a social cause? Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of being and ideal grace. I love thee to the level of every day's Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for right; I love thee purely, as they turn from praise. I love thee with the passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.

I love thee freely, as men strive for right;

Read this excerpt from "The Last Duchess" by Robert Browning: Too easily impressed; she liked whate'er She looked on, and her looks went everywhere. Sir, 'twas all one! My favour at her breast, The dropping of the daylight in the West, The bough of cherries some officious fool Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule She rode with round the terrace—all and each Would draw from her alike the approving speech What is the main complaint of the speaker against the lady referred to in the poem? The lady generously praised everyone, including those beneath her in social status. The lady was not loyal because she smiled at every one and flirted with them. The lady did not value the Duke enough and treated him like she treated everyone else. The lady showed poor taste by riding on a white mule in front of others.

The lady did not value the Duke enough and treated him like she treated everyone else.

In this excerpt from Sonnet 29 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, which lines express intimacy? I think of thee!—my thoughts do twine and bud About thee, as wild vines, about a tree, Put out broad leaves, and soon there's nought to see Except the straggling green which hides the wood. Yet, O my palm-tree, be it understood I will not have my thoughts instead of thee Who art dearer, better! Rather, instantly Renew thy presence; as a strong tree should, Rustle thy boughs and set thy trunk all bare,

my thoughts do twine and bud About thee, as wild vines, about a tree