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Not Marble nor the Gilded Monuments - William Shakespeare


 

Not Marble nor the Gilded Monuments

By William Shakespeare

 

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 besmeared with sluttish time.

 

When wasteful war 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.

 

’Gainst death and all-oblivious 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.

 

 So, till the Judgement that yourself arise,

    You live in this, and dwell in lovers’ eyes.

 

SUMMARY

The speaker begins by stating that neither marble nor gilded monuments created for princes will outlast the power of this poem. The poem asserts that the subject of the poem will shine even brighter within its verses than neglected stone that is stained with the passage of time.

The speaker declares that even when destructive wars topple statues and conflicts eradicate the work of stonemasons, neither the sword of Mars (the god of war) nor the quick fires of war will be able to destroy the living record of the subject's memory.

The subject of the poem will continue to stride confidently against death and the threat of being forgotten. Their praise will always find a place, even in the eyes of future generations who will inhabit the world until its ultimate end.

The poem concludes by stating that until the Judgment Day when the subject of the poem will rise, they will live within the poem and reside in the hearts and eyes of those who love them.

 

 

The poet asserts that neither marble monuments nor the gilded tombs of princes can surpass the enduring power of this poem.

The subject of the poem (the person being praised) will shine even brighter in these verses than neglected stone covered with the effects of time.

Even when destructive wars topple statues and conflicts erase the work of masons, this living record of the person's memory will remain unaffected by Mars' sword or war's quick fire.

Against death and the forgetfulness of time, the person's memory will continue to thrive. Their praise will still be appreciated by all future generations that inhabit this world until its end.

The poem concludes by stating that until the Day of Judgment when the person is resurrected, they will continue to live within the lines of this poem and will be remembered in the eyes of those who love them.

 

VOABULARY:

Marble - A type of hard stone often used in sculptures and monuments.

Gilded - Covered or highlighted with gold or a golden color.

Monuments - Structures or statues built to commemorate or honor a person or event.

Outlive - To exist or persist longer than something else.

Rhyme - A poem or verse with corresponding sounds at the end of lines.

Shine - To emit or reflect a bright light; to stand out or be distinguished.

Contents - The subjects or themes contained within something.

Unswept - Not cleaned or maintained; neglected.

Stone - Hard, solid substance often used in construction or as a material for statues.

Besmeared - Covered or stained with dirt, marks, or impurities.

Sluttish - Dirty or untidy in appearance.

Wasteful - Causing or characterized by waste or destruction.

Overturn - To tip or turn something over; to reverse or invalidate.

Broils - Conflicts or disturbances; tumultuous or violent situations.

Root out - To eliminate or remove completely.

Masonry - The craft or occupation of a stonemason; the construction of buildings using stone or brick.

Mars - The Roman god of war.

Sword - A weapon with a long metal blade and a hilt or handle, used for cutting or thrusting.

Quick fire - Rapid or intense fire; swift combustion.

Living record - A testament or documentation of someone's life or achievements while they are alive.

Memory - The ability to remember or retain information; remembrance.

'Gainst - Abbreviation of "against," meaning in opposition to or contrary to.

Oblivious - Unaware or forgetful; lacking conscious knowledge or attention.

Enmity - Hostility or ill will towards someone; antagonism.

Pace forth - To continue moving forward or advancing.

Praise - Expressions of approval, admiration, or compliment.

Find room - To have space or be accommodated.

Posterity - Future generations; all descendants of a particular person.

Wear out - To use or deplete something until it is no longer usable or effective.

Ending doom - The ultimate fate or conclusion; the end of the world or existence.

Judgment - The act of forming an opinion or making a decision.

Arise - To come into being or existence; to stand up or awaken.

Dwell - To live or reside in a particular place or state.

Lovers - Those who are in a romantic or affectionate relationship.

Eyes - Organs of vision; here, referring to the perception or observation of others.

 

USE OF POETIC DEVICES IN NOT MARBLE NOR THE GILDED MONUMENTS:

Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words or within a phrase. Examples include "marble nor the gilded monuments," "living record of your memory," and "death and all-oblivious enmity." The use of alliteration creates a pleasing rhythm and emphasizes certain words or ideas.

Metaphor: The poem employs metaphors to convey its central message. For instance, the comparison of the poem's power to that of marble or gilded monuments suggests that the words written will have a lasting impact and surpass the physical durability of such structures.

Imagery: The use of vivid and sensory language to create mental images in the reader's mind. Phrases like "unswept stone besmeared with sluttish time" paint a visual picture of neglected and dirty stone affected by the passing of time.

Personification: Giving human qualities or attributes to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. In the poem, war is personified as "wasteful" and "overturning statues," implying its destructive nature and its ability to erode physical creations.

Symbolism: The representation of ideas, qualities, or concepts through symbols. The marble monuments and gilded tombs symbolize the material grandeur associated with power and wealth, contrasting with the enduring power of the poem's words.

Repetition: The intentional repetition of words, phrases, or lines to create emphasis or reinforce ideas. The repeated use of "nor" in the poem's opening line emphasizes the poet's assertion that neither marble nor monuments can surpass the poem's lasting impact.

Parallelism: The repetition of grammatical structures or patterns to create rhythm and balance. The lines "’Gainst death and all-oblivious enmity / Shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room" demonstrate parallelism through the repetition of the phrase "shall" and the balanced structure of the lines.

Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or thought beyond a line break in a poem. The poem employs enjambment in various places, such as "Not marble nor the gilded monuments / Of princes shall outlive this powerful rhyme." This technique creates a sense of flow and connectivity between the lines.

Rhyme: The use of similar or identical sounds at the end of words or lines. The poem employs an alternating rhyme scheme (ABABCDCD) throughout, with lines such as "rhyme," "time," "burn," and "memory" creating a melodic quality to the verses.

 These poetic devices work together to elevate the poem's language, evoke imagery, convey deeper meanings, and create a sense of musicality and rhythm. They enhance the overall impact and aesthetic appeal of Shakespeare's words, making the poem a memorable and engaging piece of literature.


Not Marble nor the Gilded Monuments quiz

1.       The poem "Not Marble nor the Gilded Monuments" is written by:

a) William Wordsworth

b) William Shakespeare

c) William Blake

d) William Butler Yeats

 

2.       According to the poem, what will outlive marble and gilded monuments?

a) Powerful rhyme

b) Time

c) Destruction

d) Neglected stone

 

3.       The poet states that the subject of the poem will shine brighter than which of the following?

a) Marble statues

b) Unswept stone

c) Gilded monuments

d) Sluttish time

 

4.       Which of the following does the poem NOT mention as a potential cause of destruction?

a) War

b) Mars' sword

c) Fire

d) Floods

 

5.       The poem suggests that the subject's memory will remain unaffected by:

a) Swords and fire

b) Mars' wrath

c) Masonry

d) All of the above

 

6.       The phrase "living record" in the poem refers to:

a) Historical documents

b) A person's memoirs

c) The subject's memory

d) The poet's words

 

7.       What does the poet mean by "’Gainst death and all-oblivious enmity"?

a) Fighting against death

b) Defying forgetfulness

c) Overcoming enemies

d) Facing eternal doom

 

8.       The poet claims that the subject's praise will still find room in the eyes of:

a) The present generation

b) Future generations

c) Lovers only

d) The poet alone

 

9.       The term "posterity" in the poem refers to:

a) Present time

b) The past

c) The future

d) The poet's personal feelings

 

10.   The poem suggests that the subject's memory will endure until:

a) The end of the world

b) The person's death

c) The Day of Judgment

d) The poet's own demise

 

11.   The poem implies that the subject will live on in the eyes of:

a) Soldiers

b) Future readers

c) Monument builders

d) Lovers

 

12.   The final couplet suggests that the subject will live in:

a) The poet's heart

b) The memory of others

c) The words of the poem

d) The gilded monuments

 

13.   What does the poet mean by "dwell" in the last line of the poem?

a) To live

b) To stay forever

c) To fade away

d) To be forgotten

 

14.   The poem uses the term "sluttish time" to describe:

a) Neglected stone

b) War and destruction

c) Marble monuments

d) Gilded tombs

 

15.   The phrase "wasteful war" suggests that war is:

a) Futile and destructive

b) Noble and honorable

c) Just and necessary

d) Long-lasting and impactful

 

16.   What does the poem claim will not burn the living record of the subject's memory?

a) Mars' sword

b) War's quick fire

c) Neglected stone

d) Gilded monuments

 

17.   The poet suggests that the subject's praise will always find room even in the eyes of:

a) Critics

b) The poet's peers

c) All of posterity

d) The subject's family

 

18.   The poem emphasizes the contrast between the power of words and the:

a) Fragility of stone

b) Destruction of war

c) Timeless beauty of monuments

d) Forgetfulness of enmity

 

19.   The poem's rhyme scheme can be described as:

a) AABBCCDD

b) ABABCDDE

c) ABCDBADE

d) ABBAACCA

 

20.  The central theme of the poem revolves around the concept of:

a) Immortality through art

b) The transience of life

c) The futility of war

d) The beauty of marble monuments



QUESTIONS AND AMSWERS FOR REFERANCE:


1.       Discuss the central theme of "Not Marble nor the Gilded Monuments" and how it is conveyed throughout the poem.

Answer: The central theme of the poem is the enduring power of poetry and the immortality it grants to its subjects. The poet asserts that neither marble monuments nor gilded tombs can outlive the powerful rhyme of the poem. The subject of the poem will shine brighter and be remembered more vividly than neglected stone besmeared with time. The poem emphasizes the transitory nature of physical structures and the lasting impact of words. Through vivid imagery and poetic devices, the theme is conveyed by contrasting the fleeting nature of material wealth and the eternal nature of artistic expression.

 

2.       Analyze the use of metaphors and symbolism in "Not Marble nor the Gilded Monuments" and their significance to the overall meaning of the poem.

Answer: The poem employs metaphors and symbolism to enhance its meaning and impact. The marble and gilded monuments symbolize the grandeur and power associated with wealth and status. They represent the physical, transient nature of worldly achievements. In contrast, the powerful rhyme in the poem is metaphorically compared to something everlasting. It symbolizes the ability of art and poetry to transcend time and preserve the memory of the subject. By using these metaphors and symbols, the poem emphasizes the superiority of artistic expression over material possessions and the capacity of poetry to grant immortality.

 

3.       Explore the role of imagery in "Not Marble nor the Gilded Monuments" and how it contributes to the overall tone and message of the poem.

Answer: Imagery plays a significant role in the poem, creating vivid mental images that contribute to the tone and message. Phrases such as "unswept stone besmeared with sluttish time" evoke a visual representation of neglected and dirty stone affected by the passage of time. The use of "wasteful war," "Mars' sword," and "war's quick fire" conjures images of destruction. This imagery emphasizes the temporary and destructive nature of war compared to the enduring power of the poem's words. Overall, the vivid imagery in the poem reinforces the theme of transience versus permanence and adds depth and impact to the reader's understanding.

 

4.       Discuss the significance of the poem's structure and rhyme scheme in conveying its meaning and enhancing its musicality.

Answer: The poem follows an alternating rhyme scheme (ABABCDCD), which contributes to its musicality and rhythm. The structured rhyme scheme creates a pleasing and melodic flow, enhancing the overall musical quality of the verses. The consistent use of end rhymes throughout the poem helps emphasize certain words and ideas, guiding the reader through the poem's progression. Furthermore, the structured form of the poem adds a sense of order and control, contrasting with the themes of war and destruction discussed within the verses. The use of a specific rhyme scheme reinforces the poem's message by emphasizing the enduring nature of poetry and its ability to create order and harmony.

 

5.       Reflect on the concluding couplet of the poem and its significance in summarizing the poet's message.

Answer: The concluding couplet of the poem, "So, till the Judgement that yourself arise, / You live in this, and dwell in lovers' eyes," encapsulates the poet's message and offers a final summary of the poem's themes. It suggests that until the Day of Judgment, when the subject of the poem is resurrected, they will continue to live within the lines of the poem. Their memory and essence will persist through the words and will be remembered in the eyes of those who love them. The couplet emphasizes the everlasting nature of art and the enduring power of love and memory. It serves as a reminder that the subject's true immortality lies in the


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