Samacheer Kalvi Class 12 English Solutions Poem 3 All The Worlds A Stage

Textual Questions:

 

Question 1. Fill in the blanks using the words given in the box to complete the summary of the poem: (Text Book Page No. 91)
Shakespeare considers the whole world a stage where men and women are only
(1)________. They (2)________ the stage when they are born and exit when they die.
Every man, during his lifetime, plays seven roles based on age. In the first act, as
an infant, he is wholly (3)________ on the mother or a nurse. Later, emerging as a
schoolchild, he slings his bag over his shoulder and creeps most (4)________ to
school. His next act is that of a lover, busy (5)________ ballads for his beloved and
yearns for her (6)________. In the fourth stage, he is aggressive and ambitious and
seeks (7)________ in all that he does. He (8)________ solemnly to guard his country
and becomes a soldier. As he grows older, with (9)________ and wisdom, he becomes
a fair judge. During this stage, he is firm, and (10)________. In the sixth act, he is
seen with loose pantaloons and spectacles. His manly voice changes into a
childish (11)________. The last scene of all is his
second childhood. Slowly, he loses his (12)________ of sight, hearing, smell, and
taste and exits from the role of life.
Answer: Shakespeare thinks of the whole world as a stage where all men and women are simply **actors**. They **enter** this stage when they are born and leave when they die. During his life, every man plays seven different roles based on his age. In the first part of life, as a baby, he is totally **dependent** on his mother or a nurse. Later, as a schoolchild, he slowly and **reluctantly** goes to school, carrying his bag. His next role is that of a lover, who is busy **composing** songs for his beloved and wants her **attention**. In the fourth stage, he is bold and driven, looking for **reputation** in everything he does. He **promises** solemnly to protect his country and becomes a soldier. As he gets older, with **maturity** and wisdom, he becomes a fair judge. At this point, he is strong and **serious**. In the sixth stage, he wears loose trousers and glasses. His adult voice turns into a childish **treble**. The final act of all is his second childhood. Slowly, he loses his **faculties** like sight, hearing, smell, and taste, and then leaves the stage of life. This poetic description highlights the transient nature of human existence.
In simple words: Shakespeare describes the world as a stage where people are actors. They are born, play seven roles through life, and then leave when they die. Each role has different actions and feelings.

🎯 Exam Tip: When filling in blanks in a summary, read the entire passage first to understand the context and flow before inserting words. The words must fit both grammatically and in meaning.

 

Question 2. From your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions briefly in a sentence or two: (Text Book Page No. 91)

Question 2. a. What is the world compared to?
Answer: The world is compared to a stage where people live their lives. It's like a play where everyone has a part to perform.
In simple words: The world is like a stage.

🎯 Exam Tip: For simple comparison questions, directly state the two things being compared, as shown in the poem.

 

Question 2. b. "And they have their exits and their entrances" - What do the words 'exits' and 'entrances' mean?
Answer: In this poem, the word 'exits' means death, and 'entrances' means birth. It shows how people come into and leave the world like actors on a stage.
In simple words: 'Exits' means death, and 'entrances' means birth.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining symbolic words from poetry, always connect their meaning back to the context of the poem and the broader theme.

 

Question 2. c. What is the first stage of a human's life?
Answer: The first stage of human life is that of an infant. During this time, the baby cries loudly and vomits while being held in the nurse's arms, showing its complete helplessness.
In simple words: The first stage is an infant, who cries and vomits in the nurse's arms.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember specific details for each stage as described by the poet, like the infant's actions, to give a complete answer.

 

Question 2. d. Describe the second stage of life as depicted by Shakespeare.
Answer: The second stage of life is when a man is a schoolchild. He walks very slowly and unwillingly to school, carrying his bag, often complaining. This stage highlights a child's reluctance towards formal learning.
In simple words: The second stage is a schoolchild who doesn't want to go to school.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note key characteristics like "unwilling" and "creeping like a snail" for the schoolchild stage to fully describe it.

 

Question 2. e. How does a man play a lover's role?
Answer: As a lover, a man sighs deeply like a furnace and writes sad songs for his beloved, trying to get her attention. This stage is marked by intense emotional displays and focus on love.
In simple words: As a lover, a man sings sad songs and sighs to get his lady's attention.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the specific actions or expressions described by the poet for each role, such as "sighs like furnace" for the lover.

 

Question 2. f. Bring out the features of the fourth stage of a man as described by the poet.
Answer: The fourth stage shows a man as a soldier. He is very aggressive and ambitious, always seeking a short-lived reputation through his actions. This phase is often seen as the toughest time in a man's life, full of conflict and ambition.
In simple words: In the fourth stage, a man is a soldier. He is aggressive, ambitious, and seeks temporary fame.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing a stage, list the main characteristics and the man's motivation, like the soldier's aggression and desire for reputation.

 

Question 2. g. When does a man become a judge? How?
Answer: A man becomes a judge as he grows older, gaining maturity and wisdom. He starts to act with fairness, knowing what is good and right. At this stage, he is considered the best person to decide what is correct and what is wrong, showing his developed sense of justice. He applies his learned experiences.
In simple words: A man becomes a wise judge when he is older, full of maturity and wisdom, able to tell right from wrong.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the role (judge) with the qualities (maturity, wisdom) that develop with age, as highlighted by Shakespeare.

 

Question 2. h. Which stage of man's life is associated with the 'shrunk shank'?
Answer: The sixth stage of a man's life is associated with the 'shrunk shank'. In this stage, the man becomes thin and weak, and his legs appear very lean due to old age. His once fashionable clothes now hang loosely on his body.
In simple words: The sixth stage, when a man is old and thin, is linked to 'shrunk shank' which means very thin legs.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember specific phrases used by the poet, like 'shrunk shank', and associate them with the correct life stage and its physical description.

 

Question 2. i. Why is the last stage called a second childhood?
Answer: The last stage is called a second childhood because, in old age, a man becomes like a child again. He slowly loses his teeth, eyesight, taste, and all desire for things he once wanted in life. This regression to a helpless state is why it's similar to infancy.
In simple words: The last stage is called a second childhood because old people become helpless, losing their senses and desires, just like babies.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the physical and mental regression in old age, comparing it to a child's dependence, to explain why it's a "second childhood."

 

Question 2. j. Why is the last stage called a second childhood?
Answer: The last stage is indeed called the second childhood. At this point, the old man slowly loses all his senses and becomes very weak. He needs help from a nurse or his wife for everything he does, just like a baby. After this, he passes away from the world, completing his cycle of life.
In simple words: It's called second childhood because an old man loses his senses and needs others' help for everything, similar to a baby.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize the loss of senses and dependence on others as key reasons for the "second childhood" comparison.

 

Question 3. Explain the following lines briefly with reference to the context: (Text Book Page No. 92)

Question 3. a) "They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts,”
Answer:
Reference: These lines are from the poem "All the World's a Stage" by William Shakespeare.
Context: The poet is talking about birth and death. He says that people come into the world and then leave it, just like actors entering and exiting a stage. Every person plays many roles during their lifetime.
Explanation: All people are born at a certain time and die after a certain period. When someone comes into the world, they go through seven different stages and play many roles. They might be a brother, father, husband, or even a fighter for their nation. In the end, they leave all these roles and exit from life. This emphasizes life's journey as a series of distinct phases.
In simple words: These lines mean people are born and die like actors entering and leaving a stage. Each person plays many different roles throughout their life.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining lines, always state the poem and poet, explain the background (context), and then describe the meaning of the lines in detail (explanation).

 

Question 3. b) "Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation".
Answer:
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem "All the World's a Stage" by William Shakespeare.
Context: Here, the poet explains how a man acts in the fourth stage of life.
Explanation: In this stage, the man is very aggressive and ambitious. He is portrayed as a soldier. He takes a promise to protect his country. He quickly gets into fights but also tries hard to keep his dignity and earn a short-lived reputation. The term "bubble reputation" highlights how fame can be temporary and easily lost, like a bubble that bursts. This shows his passionate but fleeting pursuit of glory.
In simple words: These lines describe a man in the soldier stage who is easily provoked, protective of his honor, and seeks fame that does not last long.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to descriptive words like "bubble reputation" and explain their symbolic meaning in your explanation.

 

Question 3. c) "Is second childishness and mere oblivion; Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything."
Answer:
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem "All the World's a Stage" by William Shakespeare.
Context: The poet talks about a man's helplessness in his last stage of life.
Explanation: When a man reaches old age, he becomes like a child again. He loses his teeth, his eyesight, his sense of taste, and all the love or desire for things he once wanted in life. This stage is called "second childishness" because he becomes completely dependent and forgetful, like a baby, losing his memories and senses. This loss of all faculties marks the end of his life's journey.
In simple words: These lines describe the final stage of life where an old man becomes like a helpless child again, losing his teeth, sight, taste, and all memories.

🎯 Exam Tip: List the specific losses (teeth, eyes, taste, everything) to fully describe the "second childishness" and "oblivion" of the last stage.

 

Question 4. Read the poem once again carefully and identify the figure of speech that has been used in each of the following lines from the poem. (Text Book Page No. 92)

Answer: The table above correctly lists the figures of speech used in each poetic line. It is important to carefully examine how words are used to create specific effects. For instance, a Metaphor directly compares two unlike things, while a Simile uses 'like' or 'as' for comparison. Alliteration involves repeating consonant sounds, and Anaphora repeats words at the beginning of clauses. Personification gives human qualities to inanimate objects. Understanding these helps in appreciating the poem's depth.
In simple words: Each line uses a special way of speaking, like Metaphor for direct comparison, Simile for comparison using 'like', Alliteration for repeated sounds, and Anaphora for repeated words at the start of sentences.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify figures of speech, look for direct comparisons (metaphor), comparisons using 'like' or 'as' (simile), repetition of sounds (alliteration), or repetition of words/phrases (anaphora).

 

Question 5. Read the poem once again carefully and identify the figure of speech that has been used in each of the following lines from the poem. (Text Book Page No. 92)

Answer: The table above accurately identifies the figures of speech in the given poetic lines. It shows how Shakespeare uses techniques like Alliteration, which is the repetition of initial consonant sounds, and Imagery, which creates vivid pictures in the reader's mind. Understanding these figures of speech helps readers to better appreciate the poet's skill and the richness of the language. They add layers of meaning and musicality to the verses.
In simple words: This table shows figures of speech like Alliteration (when sounds repeat at the start of words) and Imagery (when words paint pictures in your mind).

🎯 Exam Tip: For lines that use both sound devices (like alliteration) and descriptive language (imagery), it's important to identify all relevant figures of speech.

 

Question 6. Read the given lines and answer the questions that follow. (Text Book Page No. 92)

Question 6. a) Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwillingly to school.

Question 6. a. i. Which stage of life is being referred to here by the poet?
Answer: The poet is referring to the second stage of life here, which is the schoolboy stage. This stage follows infancy and describes a child's reluctant entry into formal education.
In simple words: The poet is talking about the second stage of life, when a boy goes to school.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify key descriptive words in the lines, like "whining school-boy" and "creeping like snail", to correctly pinpoint the stage of life.

 

Question 6. a. ii. What are the characteristics of this stage?
Answer: In this stage, the boy is unwilling to go to school and does not want to take on the responsibilities of being a student. He is often mischievous and irresponsible, showing little care for rules or duties. This stage highlights a child's natural resistance to discipline.
In simple words: The boy in this stage doesn't want to go to school or be responsible; he is naughty.

🎯 Exam Tip: List both the boy's actions (unwilling to go) and his character traits (naughty, irresponsible) to fully describe this stage.

 

Question 6. a. iii. How does the boy go to school?
Answer: The boy goes to school unwillingly and slowly, 'creeping like a snail'. He doesn't like the idea of going to school or taking on the responsibilities of being a student. This slow, reluctant movement shows his displeasure.
In simple words: The boy goes to school very slowly and unwillingly, like a snail.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note the simile "creeping like a snail" as it perfectly describes the boy's reluctance to attend school.

 

Question 6. a. iv. Which figure of speech has been employed in the second line?
Answer: The figure of speech employed in the second line ("And shining morning face, creeping like snail") is 'Simile'. This is because it uses the word 'like' to compare the boy's slow movement to that of a snail.
In simple words: 'Simile' is used in the second line because it compares the boy to a snail using the word 'like'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that a simile always uses "like" or "as" to make a comparison, making it easy to identify.

 

Question 6. b) Then a soldier, full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard, Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon's mouth.

Question 6. b. i. What is the soldier ready to do?
Answer: The soldier is ready to protect his country and fight for its honor. He is willing to face danger, even "the cannon's mouth," to gain a strong reputation. This shows his courage and dedication.
In simple words: The soldier is ready to protect his country and fight bravely.

🎯 Exam Tip: The phrase "even in the cannon's mouth" strongly implies the soldier's readiness for extreme danger and self-sacrifice.

 

Question 6. b. ii. Explain 'bubble reputation'.
Answer: 'Bubble reputation' means a reputation or fame that is short-lived and temporary. Just like a bubble can pop easily, this kind of fame is not lasting and can disappear quickly. In the fourth stage, a man often seeks this kind of fleeting glory. This highlights the transient nature of worldly recognition.
In simple words: 'Bubble reputation' means fame that lasts only a short time, like a bubble that bursts.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain both parts of the term ("bubble" for short-lived, "reputation" for fame) to give a complete explanation.

 

Question 6. b. iii. What are the distinguishing features of this stage?
Answer: This stage portrays the man as a soldier who is very aggressive and ambitious. He easily gets into quarrels and seeks a reputation in all his actions, even though that fame is often short-lived. This period is considered one of the toughest stages in a man's life, full of intense actions and emotions.
In simple words: In this stage, a man is an aggressive, ambitious soldier who seeks fame and easily quarrels. It is a tough period.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the soldier's temperament (aggressive, quick to quarrel) and his primary motivation (seeking reputation) as key features.

 

Question 6. c. And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lin'd, With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances;

Question 6. c. i. Whom does justice refer to?
Answer: 'Justice' here refers to the man in the fifth stage of his life. In this stage, he transforms into a wise, fair judge who understands what is good and right. He uses his experience to make balanced decisions.
In simple words: 'Justice' refers to the man in the fifth stage, who becomes a fair and wise judge.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the title "justice" to the fifth stage of life and the qualities of fairness and wisdom it embodies.

 

Question 6. c. ii. Describe his appearance.
Answer: He is described as a man who has grown older with maturity and wisdom. He has a round belly, becoming fatter, which is "with good capon lin'd" (meaning well-fed). He also has severe eyes and a neatly trimmed, formal beard. His appearance reflects his established status and solemn nature.
In simple words: He has a round belly, serious eyes, and a formal beard, showing he is a well-fed, wise man.

🎯 Exam Tip: List the physical descriptions from the poem, such as "round belly" and "severe eyes," to fully illustrate his appearance.

 

Question 6. c. iii. How does he behave with the people around him?
Answer: He behaves very wisely with the people around him. He is full of wisdom and speaks to everyone in a fair and intelligent manner. His actions and words reflect his sound judgment and experience. He offers guidance and fair counsel.
In simple words: He acts wisely with others, speaking fairly and thoughtfully because he is full of wisdom.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize his wisdom and fairness in interaction, as these are the defining characteristics of his role as a judge.

 

Question 6. c. iv. What does he do to show his wisdom?
Answer: He shows his wisdom by being the best person to go to for advice on what is right and wrong. He is full of wisdom and speaks to everyone in a just and wise way, offering guidance based on his deep understanding of life. His balanced judgment makes him a trusted figure.
In simple words: He shows his wisdom by being the best person to ask for advice on right and wrong, always speaking fairly.

🎯 Exam Tip: His role as a problem-solver and a dispenser of fair advice is the primary way he demonstrates his wisdom.

Additional Questions:

 

Question 1. "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players.

Question 1. i. What is compared to 'the world's a stage'?
Answer: The world's stage is compared to human life. In this comparison, every person plays many different parts or roles during their lifetime. This means life is seen as a dramatic performance.
In simple words: The world as a stage is compared to human life, where everyone plays different roles.

🎯 Exam Tip: For comparison questions, clearly state both elements being compared. Here, the world (stage) and human life (play).

 

Question 1. ii. Who are the players?
Answer: All men and women are considered the players on this world stage. This means every individual has a role to act out in the drama of life, from birth until death. Everyone is actively involved in the play of existence.
In simple words: All men and women are the players.

🎯 Exam Tip: Directly answer who the "players" are, linking it to the universal human experience described in the poem.

 

Question 2. "Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms, Then the whining schoolboy with his satchel”.

Question 2. i. Who pukes in the nurse's arms?
Answer: A child or an infant pukes in the nurse's arms. This description highlights the helplessness and total dependence of a newborn baby in its earliest stage of life. It’s a vivid image of vulnerability.
In simple words: An infant (baby) pukes in the nurse's arms.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering about specific actions, name the character performing the action (the infant).

 

Question 2. ii. What does 'Satchel' mean?
Answer: 'Satchel' means a shoulder bag. In the context of the poem, it refers to the bag a schoolboy carries over his shoulder, typically for books and school supplies. It's a small bag with a long strap.
In simple words: 'Satchel' means a shoulder bag.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define the vocabulary word clearly and briefly, especially if it's a common object in a poetic context.

 

Question 2. iii. Describe the whining school-boy.
Answer: The whining school-boy is a child who expresses unhappiness and complains a lot. He is unwilling to go to school, moving slowly and reluctantly, often dragging his feet. His "whining" shows his strong dislike for his school duties.
In simple words: The whining school-boy complains a lot and does not want to go to school.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on both the emotional state (whining, unhappy) and the physical actions (unwilling to go) when describing the school-boy.

 

Question 3. 'Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad'

Question 3. i. Which stage of life is being referred to here by the poet?
Answer: The poet is referring to the third stage of life here, which is the lover's stage. This stage is characterized by deep emotions and romantic expressions. The intense sighs and sad songs signify the lover's profound feelings.
In simple words: This refers to the third stage of life, the lover's stage.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify characteristic phrases like "sighing like furnace" and "woeful ballad" to correctly pinpoint the lover's stage.

 

Question 3. ii Which figure of speech has been employed in this line?
Answer: The figure of speech employed in this line ("Sighing like furnace") is 'Simile'. It compares the lover's deep sighs to the sound of a furnace, using the word 'like'. This vividly conveys the intensity of his emotion.
In simple words: 'Simile' is used in this line because it compares sighing to a furnace using 'like'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always look for words like "like" or "as" when identifying a simile, as they are direct indicators of this figure of speech.

 

Question 4. 'Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon.

Question 4. i. Describe the phrase "lean and slipper'd pantaloon".
Answer: The phrase "lean and slipper'd pantaloon" describes a thin, old man who has become very weak. 'Pantaloon' refers to loose trousers, suggesting that the man has lost weight and his clothes hang loosely. The 'slipper'd' part indicates his slow, shuffling gait. This image evokes fragility.
In simple words: It describes a very thin, weak old man whose clothes are loose and who wears slippers.

🎯 Exam Tip: Break down the phrase into its components ("lean", "slipper'd", "pantaloon") to fully describe the old man's appearance and condition.

 

Question 4. ii. Which stage of life is being referred to hereby by the poet?
Answer: The poet is referring to the sixth stage of life here, which is that of the old man. This stage immediately precedes the final stage of "second childishness" and highlights physical decline. The man's body is shrinking.
In simple words: This refers to the sixth stage of life, the old man stage.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the physical descriptions of weakness and thinness to the correct, penultimate stage of life described by Shakespeare.

 

Question 5. "Is second childishness and mere oblivion"

Question 5. i. Which stage is the second childhood? why?
Answer: The last stage of life is the second childhood. It is called this because, in old age, a man becomes dependent on others once more. He loses his sight, hearing, smell, and taste, similar to how an infant is helpless and relies entirely on others for care. This return to a state of vulnerability marks the final cycle of life.
In simple words: The last stage is the second childhood because old people become dependent and lose their senses, just like babies.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain "why" by detailing the similarities between an infant's dependence and an old man's physical and mental decline.

 

Question 5. ii. Explain 'mere oblivion'.
Answer: 'Mere oblivion' means complete unconsciousness or forgetfulness. In this context, it describes the state of the old man who doesn't know what is happening around him because he has grown very old and weak. It refers to a state where memory and awareness fade away, leaving him lost in himself. This suggests a profound loss of mental faculties.
In simple words: 'Mere oblivion' means becoming completely unaware and forgetful because of old age and weakness.

🎯 Exam Tip: Link 'oblivion' directly to the loss of memory and awareness that comes with extreme old age, as depicted in the poem.

 

Question 7. Complete the table based on your understanding of the poem:

Answer:
In simple words: This table matches each stage of life to its main characteristic as described in the poem. It helps us remember the key features of each period.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the specific characteristics associated with each of the seven stages of man to accurately complete tables like this.

 

Question 8. Based on your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions in about 100-150 words each. You may add your own ideas if required, to present and justify your point of view: (Text Book Page No. 94)
a) Describe the various stages of a man's life picturized in the poem “All the World's a stage.”
b) Shakespeare has skillfully brought out the parallels between the life of man and actors on stage. Elaborate this statement with reference to the poem.
Answer:
Introduction: Shakespeare's poem "All the World's a Stage" describes the world as a theater where all men and women are simply actors. They enter this stage when they are born and exit when they die. During their lifetime, each person plays seven different roles, or stages, as they age.

First stage: The first stage of a man's life is infancy. As a baby, he cries loudly and vomits while being held in a nurse's arms. In this very early stage, the baby is entirely cared for and dependent on his mother or nurse. This shows extreme helplessness.

Second stage: Next, comes the stage of a schoolboy. He moves very slowly and unwillingly towards school, acting like a snail. He does not want to go to school and avoids the responsibilities of being a student. This period reflects a child's natural resistance to discipline.

Third stage: The third stage is that of the lover. His behavior is like a "sighing furnace" as he expresses deep emotions. For him, nothing is more comforting than being near his beloved. He writes sad songs and seeks her attention passionately. This stage is full of romantic feelings.

Fourth stage: In this stage, a man becomes a soldier. He fights for his nation and constantly seeks fame, which is often short-lived and temporary. His beard is a symbol of the many strange promises he makes. He is aggressive and ambitious, willing to face danger. This is often a tough and demanding phase. Shakespeare skillfully uses these distinct roles to illustrate the journey of human life, showing how everyone performs different parts. The comparison to a stage reminds us that life is temporary and each phase has its unique script.
In simple words: Shakespeare shows life as a play with seven stages: baby, schoolboy, lover, soldier, judge, old man, and second childhood. People enter (birth) and exit (death) the world's stage, playing different roles with different actions and feelings.

🎯 Exam Tip: For elaborate answers, clearly introduce the poem's theme, then describe each stage with specific details from the text. Always link the descriptions back to the central idea of life as a stage play.

Listening:

 

Question 1. The World Is Too Much with Us
The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;
Little we see _______ in that is ours;
We have given _______ away, a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom _______ that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like _______
For this, for everything, we are _______
It _______ us not. Great God! I'd rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might 1, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising _______
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn. _William Wordsworth.
Answer:
The World Is Too Much with Us
The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon,
The wind that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers,
For this, for everything, we are out of tune;
It moves us not. Great God! I'd rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.
In simple words: This poem means that people are too focused on making and spending money, and they have forgotten how beautiful and important nature is. The poet feels very sad about this. He wishes he could feel a deep connection with nature again, like people in old stories who worshipped nature gods. Wordsworth, a key figure in the Romantic movement, often emphasized the importance of nature and emotion over rationality. He longs to see the magic in the sea and hear old myths, because he feels disconnected from the natural world around him.

🎯 Exam Tip: For fill-in-the-blank questions from poems, it is helpful to read the entire poem carefully to understand its rhythm, context, and meaning before attempting to fill in the missing words.