Shakespeare by Matthew Arnold

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Matthew Arnold

  • Matthew Arnold (1822–1888) was a major English poet and critic of the Victorian era.

  • He is well-known for his reflective poetry and thoughtful literary criticism.

  • His works often explore themes of faith, doubt, human suffering, and the search for meaning.

  • Some of his famous poems include Dover Beach, The Scholar-Gipsy, and Thyrsis.

  • As a critic, he emphasized the importance of culture and literature in improving society.

  • In his poem "Shakespeare," Arnold admires Shakespeare’s genius and greatness, portraying him as a figure beyond the reach of ordinary understanding.

2. Detailed Summary: "Shakespeare"

Matthew Arnold’s poem "Shakespeare" is a tribute to the genius of William Shakespeare, celebrating how he remains beyond human questioning and analysis.

At the beginning, Arnold says that while people keep questioning and trying to understand Shakespeare’s greatness, Shakespeare himself remains silent, smiling, and unaffected by these efforts. He stands above human knowledge, like the tallest mountain that touches the sky but whose peak remains hidden from mortals.

Arnold uses the metaphor of a lofty hill whose base is visible but whose peak is hidden among the clouds and stars to illustrate how Shakespeare’s true genius cannot be fully comprehended by human beings.

The poet praises Shakespeare for being self-taught, self-examined, self-respected, and self-assured. Without formal education or external recognition during his lifetime, Shakespeare developed his unmatched understanding of human nature and emotions.

Arnold notes that Shakespeare experienced all the pains, weaknesses, and sorrows that mortal beings face, yet he rose above them and gave them powerful expression through his art. Shakespeare's victorious spirit is seen shining through his majestic, noble character.

Themes:

  • The mystery and majesty of genius

  • Human limitations in understanding greatness

  • Shakespeare's enduring legacy

  • The relationship between suffering and artistic triumph

Tone and Style:

  • The tone is reverent, admiring, and philosophical.

  • Arnold uses elevated language, classical imagery, and majestic metaphors to highlight Shakespeare's greatness.

3. MCQs with Answers:

1. What is the attitude of Shakespeare towards human questioning, according to Arnold?
a) Angry
b) Silent and smiling
c) Sad
d) Mocking
Answer: b) Silent and smiling

2. What natural feature does Arnold compare Shakespeare’s genius to?
a) A deep river
b) A lofty hill
c) A thick forest
d) A blazing sun
Answer: b) A lofty hill

3. How did Shakespeare achieve his greatness, according to the poem?
a) By formal education
b) Through travel and experience
c) By self-schooling and self-honouring
d) By royal patronage
Answer: c) By self-schooling and self-honouring

4. What does Shakespeare’s "victorious brow" symbolize?
a) His defeat
b) His noble spirit and artistic triumph
c) His sorrow
d) His old age
Answer: b) His noble spirit and artistic triumph

5. What aspects of life did Shakespeare fully experience, as mentioned in the poem?
a) Wealth and luxury
b) Pain, weakness, and grief
c) Fame and honor
d) Travel and adventure
Answer: b) Pain, weakness, and grief

4. Short Answer Type Questions with Answers:

1. How does Matthew Arnold describe Shakespeare’s response to human questioning?
Answer:
Arnold describes Shakespeare as smiling silently, unaffected and beyond the grasp of human questioning and analysis.

2. What metaphor is used to describe Shakespeare’s greatness?
Answer:
Arnold compares Shakespeare's greatness to a lofty hill whose peak remains hidden among the clouds and stars, symbolizing the unreachable nature of his genius.

3. How did Shakespeare attain his knowledge according to Arnold?
Answer:
Shakespeare attained his knowledge through self-education, self-examination, self-respect, and self-confidence without any formal training.

4. What human experiences did Shakespeare endure, as mentioned in the poem?
Answer:
Shakespeare endured all the pains, weaknesses, and sorrows that mortal beings face.

5. What does the "victorious brow" represent in the poem?
Answer:
The "victorious brow" represents Shakespeare’s triumph over human suffering and the nobility of his immortal spirit, reflected through his art.

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