NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter 2 - Poems By Milton

On Time

Understanding the poem

1. Why has the poet pitted the flight of Time against the ‘lazy leaden-stepping hours’ and ‘the heavy Plummets pace’? 

Ans: The poet refers to time as trying to “run out thy race” towards the first line where it is its competitor. Everyone is bound to give up to it with little loss on the one’s side and little gain on time’s side. He says that everyone shall win when they finally reach heaven and remain untouched by their slow competitor, time. The poet John Milton used the lines ‘lazy leaden-stepping hours,’ and ‘the heavy Plummets pace’ to present how slowly yet successfully time wins over the race against humans.

2. What are the things associated with the temporal and what is associated with the eternal? 

Ans: The poem beautifully illustrates how earthly worries are temporary, and bliss alone is permanent. It draws out that everyone is destined to that bliss after the end of one’s life. The poet reveals that time is temporal, and the eternal associates are joy, bliss, divinity, truth, peace, and love that one experiences in heaven upon leaving the world we see.

3. What guides human souls towards divinity? Who is the final winner in the race against Time?

Ans: “Everything that is sincerely good” that humans do during their lives guides human souls towards divinity, embracing them with an individual kiss and grating everyone's joy, as stated by the poet. The final winner within the race against the clock is humans, for they shall triumph over the fears of death and chances in life upon being freed from their bodies and staying untouched by time.

II

On Shakespeare. * 1630

Understanding the poem

1. Why does Milton feel it is not necessary to put up a monument in stone for Shakespeare?

Ans: In his poem "On Shakespeare," John Milton argues that erecting a monument in stacked stone, employing the labour of age for the nobleman Shakespeare, is superfluous, as he had built a long-lasting monument through his works. The poet continues that a monument would be a weak witness of Shakespeare’s name, for he is the “son of memory” and the “great heir of fame.” A monument might be what kings would wish to die for, but it would only be a poor depiction of Shakespeare’s face and bones but would pay no proper respect to him against the name he etched through his contribution to literature.

2. What does the ‘weak witness of thy name’ refer to? 

Ans: The phrase "weak witness of thy name" relates to how a statue of Shakespeare would be a poor symbol for praising his name. Shakespeare, according to the poet, is the greatest writer who ever lived. A “star-pointing pyramid” would only hide his “hallow’d reliques” and be a weak depiction of his generosity.

3. How does Milton describe Shakespeare as the source of inspiration for all succeeding generations of poets? 

Ans: Milton describes Shakespeare as the source of inspiration for all succeeding generations of poets to return, as his works comprise all life ranges. From the aesthetics of nature to the fantasies of magic, he has interpolated between love, death, revenge, murder through his emotional plays, empowering poems, and engaging sonnets. He has set the bar high with his comedies, histories, and tragedies with his conventional yet grand style that the modern writer would ever be aspiring to reach.

4. What is the best tribute that posterity has bestowed on Shakespeare?

Ans: Posterity or the future generations have had and will always remember the works of Shakespeare. His magical spell of gaining over his audience and readers will be eternal, and he will be remembered as the world’s greatest writer and dramatist. Literature students read his works, his plays are performed to date to recreate the magic they hold, and his verses are quoted very regularly in modern times, even after four centuries from his period. Shakespeare has become the first name when one thinks of English literature, proving the charm his work possesses.

NCERT Class 12 English Kaleidoscope Ch 2 Poetry – An Overview

NCERT Solutions is a study material that aims to assist students in improving their preparations. Typically, these solutions are detailed and abide by the norms of CBSE. Thus, referring them alongside the textbook can fetch a student more marks.

John Milton is one of the most celebrated poets of the modern era. In this 2nd chapter, students come across two of Milton’s famous poems, On Time and On Shakespeare 1630. The Kaleidoscope is an opportunity for students to learn more about the works of such highly regarded writers.

NCERT Solution for Class 12 English Kaleidoscope Chapter 2 poetry includes two poems as mentioned above. Here is a detailed overview of each:

• On Time

Class 12 English Kaleidoscope Chapter 2 Solutions discusses one of Milton’s popular works On Time. It is a single stanza 22-line poem that follows a set pattern of alternative groups of four lines. Additionally, this poem has an excellent rhythmic sensation to it, which makes it unique.

Milton has used a wide variation of ending sounds in this poem and repeated each of them. This is a conscious effort from the poet to make the poem unified in structural sound, but different from its actual structure.

Furthermore, this poem talks about a concept that bothers the human begins the most i.e., time. Here, the poet wishes for a utopian world where time is non-existent. He hopes if time can speed up, consume the negativity of the world and then destroy itself. He feels it will make humans happy.

• On Shakespeare 1630

Class 12 English Kaleidoscope Chapter 2 discusses another celebrated poem of John Milton On Shakespeare 1630. The structure and rhyming pattern of this sixteen-lines single stanza poem often classify as a sonnet. The poet here focuses on the eulogizing William Shakespeare’s life and work, which makes this poem an epitaph.

In this poem, Milton tries to address this issue of creating sculpture and monuments in the memory of Shakespeare. The poet attempts to find the reason behind building a pyramid-like structure to entomb the bones of this great writer. Milton believes Shakespeare’s legacy surpasses all of these monuments and his perfect tomb is within his readers.

Exercise Questions in NCERT Solutions Class 12 English Chapter 2

In Class 12 English Kaleidoscope Chapter 2 Poems by Milton, there are two separate exercise sections for each poem. However, the question pattern of them remains the same in both cases.

Every exercise section of NCERT Solution for Class 12 English Kaleidoscope Chapter 2 poetry has two parts. The first exercise contains long answer type questions, and there are 3 of them for the first poem and four for the second one.

Apart from that, there is a section that focuses on improving a student’s vocabulary. In this section, students learn in-depth about various words and phrases that they came across in these two poems.

NCERT Solutions – An Ideal Exam Preparation Partner

NCERT Solution for Class 12 English Kaleidoscope Chapter 2 poetry is an essential study material for final exam preparations. Here are the reasons behind that:

1. The language used in these NCERT Solutions is lucid and easily understandable. Therefore, students can quickly comprehend even the most difficult topics.

2. Moreover, every chapter is discussed in great lengths; thus, students have access to ample information. They can skip referring to other books and save crucial time during final preparations.

3. Also, the use of real-life examples makes it easy for students to relate to various topics.

4. Subject experts from different fields are responsible for curating these NCERT Solutions. As a result, the information presented here is reliable.

5. The answers presented in these study materials are precise and to the point. It makes students exam ready.

6. Lastly, NCERT Solutions follow the guidelines and curriculum of CBSE diligently. Thus, following such reference study materials will help aspirants to stay updated with the syllabus and improve their exam preparations.

NCERT Solution for Class 12 English Kaleidoscope Chapter 2 poetry is readily available in the PDF format on the official website and mobile application of Vedantu. Students can easily download them with a single click. Along with this, Vedantu also offers live online classes and interactive doubt clearing sessions. Attending them will help aspirants to eliminate any confusion that they have and improve their final grades.

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Conclusion

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter 2 - Poems By Milton provide a comprehensive understanding of the timeless works of the legendary poet, John Milton. These solutions help students grasp the profound themes and poetic techniques used by Milton in his poems. By delving into his verses, students gain valuable insights into literature, language, and the human experience. These NCERT solutions not only aid in acing exams but also foster a deep appreciation for classical poetry. They serve as a guiding light for students, illuminating the beauty and complexity of Milton's creations, making the journey of studying English literature both enriching and rewarding.