Ode on Solitude by Alexander Pope
BY ALEXANDER POPE
Happy the man, whose wish and care.
A few paternal acres bound,
Content to breathe his native air,
In his own ground.
Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him with attire,
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter fire.
Blest, who can unconcernedly find
Hours, days, and years slide soft away,
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day,
Sound sleep by night; study and ease,
Together mixed; sweet recreation;
And innocence, which most does please,
With meditation.
Thus let me live, unseen, unknown;
Thus unlamented let me die;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lie.
Note:- ONLY ANNOTATIONS are given from this poem in KU EXAMS. NO ESSAY QUESTIONS ARE GIVEN FROM this poem 2023-24
Video lesson
https://youtu.be/aWwmUl1g-Ck?si=FEkp7Hl5UyDIX_Ue
About the author
Alexander Pope (1688–1744) was born in London in 1688. He was a poet, translator, and satirist in the 18th century. Pope suffered from a spinal deformity since childhood that left him disabled. His best-known work was "Rape of the Lock," a mock epic poem written in 1712. He translated Homer’s Iliad in 1713. He is one of the most frequently quoted writers in the English language.
About the poem
The poem consists of five quarters, and the rhyme scheme is ABAB. The themes of the poem are self-reliance, simple living and beauty of country life. Beauty of solitude is the central theme. The poet celebrates village life. The poet speaks of a simple, peaceful, and happy life. The man who has a small tract of land inherited from his parents and breathe air of his native land, leads a happy life. According to poet, a happy man is he whose wish and care are fulfilled through land inherited from his father. The poet suggests not being dependent on others for our needs. The man who gets milk from his cattle, food from his own field, clothing from his flock, shade from trees, and the same trees in the field are used for firewood in winter, is happy and content in his life. Days, hours, and even years pass smoothly for the farmer who has his ancestors land which fulfills his basic needs to lead a quiet and secluded life. A man has a blessed life, if he has a healthy body, no worries, and lives a quiet life. Man should get good sleep at night and need enjoyment for life. The poet wishes his death would go unlamented and unnoticed by people. The speaker does not want any stone (a tombstone) to be placed on his grave because he does not want a record of his life. The poet wants to lead a simple life in countryside in solitude.
Annotations.
1. "Steal from the world, and not a stone where I lie. "
These lines are taken from the poem ' Ode on Solitude' written by Alexander Pope
About the author
Alexander Pope (1688–1744) was born in London in 1688. He was a poet, translator, and satirist in the 18th century. His best-known work was "Rape of the Lock," a mock epic poem written in 1712. He translated Homer’s Iliad in 1713. He is one of the most frequently quoted writers in the English language.
Context:-TThe poem's theme is the beauty of simple living and a secluded life. He lives an independent life, with his basic needs fulfilled by his own agricultural land.
The poet desires to pass away undetected and avoid public recognition. Thus, the poet wants to live in solitude and find happiness there.
Meaning: It implies that the poet's grave should not have a memorial, or an epitaph engraved on it. He does not want name or fame in the society.
2." Content to breath his native air,
In his own ground. "
These lines are taken from the poem ' Ode on Solitude' written by Alexander Pope
About the author
Alexander Pope (1688–1744) was born in London in 1688. He was a poet, translator, and satirist in the 18th century. His best-known work was "Rape of the Lock," a mock epic poem written in 1712. He translated Homer’s Iliad in 1713. He is one of the most frequently quoted writers in the English language.
Context:-The poet speaks about the significance of solitude in a man's life. According to the poet, a man who has a few acres of land inherited from parents and lives on its agricultural production is a happy man. The poet suggests not being dependent on others for our needs.
3.Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter fire.
These lines are taken from the poem ' Ode on Solitude' written by Alexander Pope. Alexander Pope (1688–1744) was born in London in 1688. He was a poet, translator, and satirist in the 18th century. His best-known work was "Rape of the Lock," a mock epic poem written in 1712. He translated Homer’s Iliad in 1713. He is one of the greatest satirists of the early18th century.
Context: The poet loves solitude. he wants to live self-reliant and enjoy rustic life. His ancestors land provides him basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. the land gives him food, cows provide milk, and the flock of sheep provide clothing. Trees on his farmland gives him shade in summer and firewood in winter.
Meaning:- Man should be satisfied with minimum basic needs.
4.In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day,
Alexander Pope's poem 'Ode on Solitude' contains these lines. Pope was born in London in the year 1688. He had a spinal deformity that left him disabled. Being a catholic, he faced many problems for his formal education in his life. This poem is self-introspective.
Context: The central theme of the poem is the bliss of solitude. The poet wishes to live a life of aloneness. He asserts that a life free from worries and concerns is a blessing. This kind of life gives him perfect physical and mental health. A happy and stress-free life gives good health and peace to the mind.
5. Sound sleep by night; study and ease,
Together mixed; sweet recreation;
These lines have been taken from the poem 'Ode on Solitude' written by Alexander Pope.
Pope was one of the greatest poets of early 18th century. He was a poet, translator, critic and satirist. His well-known satire is 'Rape of the Lock'. His other notable works are 'An essay on man', 'An essay on criticism', and the 'Dunciad'.
Context: The central theme of the poem is the bliss of solitude. The poet wishes to live a secluded life. He asserts that a life free from worries and concerns is a blessing. A happy and stress-free life gives good health and peace to the mind.
Meaninig:- A happy man spends his daytime in study and recreation and night in sound sleep. He spends his time with study or any other work and recreation. He prefers to live in the midst of nature to enjoy its pleasure.
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Alexander Pope (1688–1744) was born in London in 1688. He was a poet, translator, and satirist in the 18th century. Pope suffered from a spinal deformity since childhood that left him disabled. His best-known work was "Rape of the Lock," a mock epic poem written in 1712. He translated Homer’s Iliad in 1713. He is one of the most frequently quoted writers in the English language.
About the poem
The poem consists of five quarters, and the rhyme scheme is ABAB. The themes of the poem are self-reliance, simple living and beauty of country life. Beauty of solitude is the central theme. The poet celebrates village life. The poet speaks of a simple, peaceful, and happy life. The man who has a small tract of land inherited from his parents and breathe air of his native land, leads a happy life. According to poet, a happy man is he whose wish and care are fulfilled through land inherited from his father. The poet suggests not being dependent on others for our needs. The man who gets milk from his cattle, food from his own field, clothing from his flock, shade from trees, and the same trees in the field are used for firewood in winter, is happy and content in his life. Days, hours, and even years pass smoothly for the farmer who has his ancestors land which fulfills his basic needs to lead a quiet and secluded life. A man has a blessed life, if he has a healthy body, no worries, and lives a quiet life. Man should get good sleep at night and need enjoyment for life. The poet wishes his death would go unlamented and unnoticed by people. The speaker does not want any stone (a tombstone) to be placed on his grave because he does not want a record of his life. The poet wants to lead a simple life in countryside in solitude.
Annotations.
1. "Steal from the world, and not a stone where I lie. "
These lines are taken from the poem ' Ode on Solitude' written by Alexander Pope
About the author
Alexander Pope (1688–1744) was born in London in 1688. He was a poet, translator, and satirist in the 18th century. His best-known work was "Rape of the Lock," a mock epic poem written in 1712. He translated Homer’s Iliad in 1713. He is one of the most frequently quoted writers in the English language.
Context:-TThe poem's theme is the beauty of simple living and a secluded life. He lives an independent life, with his basic needs fulfilled by his own agricultural land.
The poet desires to pass away undetected and avoid public recognition. Thus, the poet wants to live in solitude and find happiness there.
Meaning: It implies that the poet's grave should not have a memorial, or an epitaph engraved on it. He does not want name or fame in the society.
2." Content to breath his native air,
In his own ground. "
These lines are taken from the poem ' Ode on Solitude' written by Alexander Pope
About the author
Alexander Pope (1688–1744) was born in London in 1688. He was a poet, translator, and satirist in the 18th century. His best-known work was "Rape of the Lock," a mock epic poem written in 1712. He translated Homer’s Iliad in 1713. He is one of the most frequently quoted writers in the English language.
Context:-The poet speaks about the significance of solitude in a man's life. According to the poet, a man who has a few acres of land inherited from parents and lives on its agricultural production is a happy man. The poet suggests not being dependent on others for our needs.
3.Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter fire.
These lines are taken from the poem ' Ode on Solitude' written by Alexander Pope. Alexander Pope (1688–1744) was born in London in 1688. He was a poet, translator, and satirist in the 18th century. His best-known work was "Rape of the Lock," a mock epic poem written in 1712. He translated Homer’s Iliad in 1713. He is one of the greatest satirists of the early18th century.
Context: The poet loves solitude. he wants to live self-reliant and enjoy rustic life. His ancestors land provides him basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. the land gives him food, cows provide milk, and the flock of sheep provide clothing. Trees on his farmland gives him shade in summer and firewood in winter.
Meaning:- Man should be satisfied with minimum basic needs.
4.In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day,
Alexander Pope's poem 'Ode on Solitude' contains these lines. Pope was born in London in the year 1688. He had a spinal deformity that left him disabled. Being a catholic, he faced many problems for his formal education in his life. This poem is self-introspective.
Context: The central theme of the poem is the bliss of solitude. The poet wishes to live a life of aloneness. He asserts that a life free from worries and concerns is a blessing. This kind of life gives him perfect physical and mental health. A happy and stress-free life gives good health and peace to the mind.
5. Sound sleep by night; study and ease,
Together mixed; sweet recreation;
These lines have been taken from the poem 'Ode on Solitude' written by Alexander Pope.
Pope was one of the greatest poets of early 18th century. He was a poet, translator, critic and satirist. His well-known satire is 'Rape of the Lock'. His other notable works are 'An essay on man', 'An essay on criticism', and the 'Dunciad'.
Context: The central theme of the poem is the bliss of solitude. The poet wishes to live a secluded life. He asserts that a life free from worries and concerns is a blessing. A happy and stress-free life gives good health and peace to the mind.
Meaninig:- A happy man spends his daytime in study and recreation and night in sound sleep. He spends his time with study or any other work and recreation. He prefers to live in the midst of nature to enjoy its pleasure.
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I year. Sem 2 unit 1
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