Bihar Board class 9 English Poetry chapter 3 solutions are available on this page. Here you will get answers and explanations of each problem given in chapter 3 – “Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind”.
Chapter 3 of the Bihar Board Class 9 English book features the poem “Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind” by William Shakespeare. This lyrical piece, taken from Shakespeare’s play “As You Like It,” compares the harshness of nature with human unkindness. Using the winter wind as a metaphor, Shakespeare explores themes of ingratitude, false friendship, and the pain of betrayal.
Bihar Board Class 9 English Poetry Chapter 3 Solutions
Contents
| Subject | English |
| Class | 9th |
| Chapter | 3. Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind |
| Author | William Shakespeare |
| Board | Bihar Board |
A. Work in small groups and answer the following questions orally
Q1. Why do you wear woollen clothes in Winter?
Ans. We wear woollen clothes in winter because they trap air, creating insulation that keeps our body heat from escaping.
Q2. How much do you like this season?
Ans. I enjoy winter because it’s good for health, suitable for outdoor activities, and brings beautiful scenery with snow and frost.
Q3. Which is your favourite season?
Ans. My favorite season is winter because I love the crisp air, the possibility of snow, and the cozy feeling of being indoors.
B.1. Answer the following questions very briefly
Q1. Why does the poet ask the wind to blow?
Ans. The poet asks the wind to blow because he sees it as less painful than human ingratitude. He’s using the harsh wind as a comparison to highlight how much worse betrayal by people feels.
Q2. Why does the poet call the winter wind not so unkind as man’s ingratitude?
Ans. The poet calls the winter wind less unkind than human ingratitude because he has experienced severe emotional pain from ungrateful people. He finds this emotional hurt worse than physical discomfort from cold wind.
Q3. What makes the poet say Thy tooth is not so keen?
Ans. The poet says “Thy tooth is not so keen” to compare the sharp, cold wind to the pain of betrayal. He suggests that the “bite” of the wind is less severe than the emotional “bite” of a friend’s ingratitude.
Q4. Explain the mood of the poet when he says “Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly”
Ans. The poet’s mood when he says “Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly” is one of bitter sarcasm. He’s using a cheerful-sounding phrase to introduce his cynical views on friendship and love.
Q5. Explain the use of the word ‘warp’ in the second stanza.
Ans. The word ‘warp’ in the second stanza refers to the freezing of water. It suggests how cold temperatures can change the shape or form of things, just as betrayal can change relationships.
Q6. How is nature not so cruel as a man?
Ans. The poet sees nature as less cruel than humans because its effects are only physical and temporary. In contrast, the emotional pain caused by human betrayal is deeper and more lasting.
C.1. Long Answer Questions
Q1. The speaker’s tragic mood is very pronounced in the poem. Elaborate.
Ans. The speaker’s tragic mood is clear throughout the poem. He’s a banished king who feels betrayed by his younger brother, whom he once loved and trusted. This betrayal has made him cynical about all human relationships, even friendship. The harsh winter setting mirrors his emotional state. He compares the physical pain of the cold wind to the emotional pain of ingratitude, finding the latter more severe. This comparison emphasizes his deep hurt and disillusionment with human nature.
Q2. What does the poet mean to say “Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly”? Explain.
Ans. When the poet says “Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly,” he’s expressing a very pessimistic view of human relationships. Having been betrayed by his brother, he now doubts the sincerity of all friendships and love. He sees these relationships as often false or foolish, believing that people pretend to care but are actually selfish. This line reflects his deep disappointment in humanity and his loss of trust in others.
Q3. Why and how is the severe winter kinder than an ungrateful person?
Ans. The poet finds severe winter kinder than an ungrateful person because nature’s harshness is straightforward and only affects the body. The cold wind might be uncomfortable, but it doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. In contrast, an ungrateful person’s actions hurt emotionally and betray trust, which the poet finds more painful. This comparison highlights how deeply personal betrayal can affect someone.
Q4. Describe how the poet has conveyed the feelings of an afflicted man.
Ans. The poet conveys the feelings of an afflicted man through vivid comparisons and emotional language. He uses the harsh winter environment as a metaphor for his emotional pain. By suggesting that even this harsh weather is less painful than human betrayal, he emphasizes the depth of his suffering. The repeated refrain and the cynical views on friendship and love further illustrate his disillusionment. Through these techniques, the poet paints a picture of someone deeply hurt and struggling to trust others again.
Q5. Summarise this poem in about 100 words.
Ans. Do it yourselves with the help of teacher.
C. 2. Group Discussion
Q1. Gratitude is a mark of civility.
Ans. Gratitude is indeed a sign of civility and good character. It shows that we recognize and appreciate the kindness of others, which is important for building positive relationships in society. Being grateful helps create a more pleasant and respectful environment for everyone. It’s a way of acknowledging that we don’t succeed alone, but with the help and support of others. Expressing gratitude can also make both the giver and receiver feel good, promoting better mental health and stronger social bonds. In contrast, ingratitude can harm relationships and is often seen as rude or selfish behavior.
Q2. Everything is fair in love and war.
Ans. The saying “Everything is fair in love and war” suggests that normal rules don’t apply in extreme situations. However, this idea is controversial and shouldn’t be taken literally. In reality, both love and war have ethical boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed. In love, respecting others’ feelings and choices is important, even if it means not getting what we want. In war, there are international laws and conventions to protect human rights and limit suffering. While strong emotions in love and high stakes in war can tempt people to act unethically, it’s important to maintain our moral principles even in challenging situations.
Comprehension Based Questions with Answers
- Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind
Blow, blow, thou winter wind,
Thou art not so unkind
As man’s ingratitude;
Thy tooth is not so keen.
Because thou art not seen,
Although thy breath is rude.
Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto this green holly;
Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:
Q1. Name the poem and its poet.
Ans. The name of the poem is Blow Blow’Thou Winter Wind and its poet is William Shakespeare.
Q2. Who is not so unkind? “As man’s ingratitude”?
Ans. The winter wind is not so unkind as man’s ingratitude.
Q3. Why is the tooth of the winter wind not so keen?
Ans. The tooth of the winter wind is not so keen because the winter wind is not seen.
Q4. What does Shakespeare say about friendship and love?
Ans. Shakespeare says that most friendship is feigning and most loving is mere folly.
Q5. What does the expression? “Thy breath is rude”, mean?
Ans. It means that the winter wind blows with great force.
- Then, heigh-ho! the holly!
This life is most jolly.
Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky,
Thou dust not bite so nigh As benefits forgot:
Though thou the waters warp,
Thy sting is not so sharp As friend remembered not.
Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly:
Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:
Then, heigh-ho! the holly!
This life is most jolly.
Q1. Who is being addressed in these lines?
Ans. The poet is addressing the cold sky in which the winter wind blows
Q2. How does the winter sky not bite so bitterly as the friend’s forgetfulness?
Ans. The winter sky and the cold wind blowing in it are so bitterly biting as an ungrateful man. A man forgets the good deeds, of his friend. So, the bitter cold of the sky for windy is not so painful as a friend forgetting his friend.
Q3. Which words in the passage suggests cold?
Ans. The word “Freeze” in the passage suggests cold.
Q4. What is meant by the expression “the waters warp”?
Ans. The expression “the waters warp” means that the winter creates waves in the seas.
| Other Chapter Solutions |
|---|
| Chapter 1 Solutions – The Grandmother |
| Chapter 2 Solutions – On His Blindness |
| Chapter 3 Solutions – Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind |
| Chapter 4 Solutions – To Daffodils |
| Chapter 5 Solutions – Sound |
| Chapter 6 Solutions – Self Introduction |
| Chapter 7 Solutions – I Am Like Grass |
| Chapter 8 Solutions – Abraham Lincoln’s Letter to His Son’s Teacher |
