Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors]

hai secretly observed Rasselas eneteran an appertunity of conference with me myling u afford such opportunity?

date is desire of forgetting the sage's a tall get access to him? Did Rasselas

he conversation? Quote the reasons

which the prince gave for his withdrawing from pleasure and retiring to loneliness. Interpret the expression "I am lonely."

4. Express briefly the tenor of the sage's expostulation. Repeat that portion of the next paragraph in which the prince describes his complaint (that is, as far as the word "former.") What, in conformity with all this, is the title of the chapter?

5. The prince found one day exactly like another-what other? What request did he make respecting the tediousness of time? Quote his comparative appreciation of enjoyment and desire.

6. State the effect of this strange complaint on the sage's mind. With what unlucky remark did he now frustrate the design of his remonstrance? Quote the prince's application of that remark. To what did he refer by saying "the sight of them is necessary to happiness?"

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER IV.

1. What prevented further conference between the prince and his old instructor? By what consideration was the old man now grieved and ashamed? What conclusion were they intended to prevent? By what conjectures may the fact be accounted for that an old man soon overcomes the emotions of grief and shame?

2. State the nature of those emotions by which Rasselas was now actuated? Explain why he could not quiet his emotions so speedily as the sage. Compare his former with his present anticipation of the length of life.

3. What was the first beam of hope that had been ever darted into his mind? Explain his never having experienced hope till now? What alteration of his aspect did this beam of hope produce? Of what nature was the desire with which he was now fired?

4. In what consisted the secret stock of happiness of which he was now master? How was it that he could not enjoy that happiness without concealing it? In order to conceal it, how did he behave, instead of being gloomy and unsocial?

5. Show that this necessary procedure must have allowed him many convenient opportunities for solitary thought. How was it that he could now take pleasure both in society and privacy?

5. In what character is Rasselas now introduced? Describe briefly the change which his attendants observed in his conduct. How did they then act towards him and with what effect?

66

6. What singularity of humour made him much observed? Why are the banks of rivulets sheltered with trees" specified as the resort of Rasselas ? Express by single words the several modes of enjoyment he observed among the inferior animals.

7. How is one of the sages described in order to account for his following the prince secretly? What did he secretly observe Rasselas doing? With what reflexions was the prince overheard comparing the condition of the goats with his own?

8. How did he contrast his condition with that of the birds? How was he at a loss to account for his not feeling delighted? Explain the expressions "power of perception " and "its proper pleasure."

9. How might some sense be latent or hidden within his nature as he supposed What other supposition occurred to him? What kind of expression is "he lifted up his head?" What made him return to the palace?

10. What observations on mutual envy did he make as he passed the animals in the field? Explain by his previous reflexions how he regarded their felicity as not the felicity of man.

11. How did he speak of the past and the future as having evils for him from which the lower animals are exempted? Explain the inference he then made respecting the equity of Providence.

12. His observations being on a mournful topic were uttered with a plaintive voice—how then was it that they amused him? What element in his character does this indicate to us? What is said of the change of behaviour he showed when he got home?

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER III.

1. What made the sage who had secretly observed Rasselas endeavour the next day to obtain an opportunity of conference with him? Why was the prince unwilling to afford such opportunity? Explain that.

2. How did Rasselas vindicate his desire of forgetting the sage's lectures? How did this man get access to him? Did Rasselas willingly allow a conference-or what?

3. How did the sage open the conversation? Quote the reasons

which the prince gave for his withdrawing from pleasure and retiring to loneliness. Interpret the expression "I am lonely."

4. Express briefly the tenor of the sage's expostulation. Repeat that portion of the next paragraph in which the prince describes his complaint (that is, as far as the word "former.") What, in conformity with all this, is the title of the chapter?

5. The prince found one day exactly like another—what other? What request did he make respecting the tediousness of time? Quote his comparative appreciation of enjoyment and desire.

6. State the effect of this strange complaint on the sage's mind. With what unlucky remark did he now frustrate the design of his remonstrance? Quote the prince's application of that remark. To what did he refer by saying "the sight of them is necessary to happiness?"

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER IV.

1. What prevented further conference between the prince and his old instructor? By what consideration was the old man now grieved and ashamed? What conclusion were they intended to prevent? By what conjectures may the fact be accounted for that an old man soon overcomes the emotions of grief and shame?

2. State the nature of those emotions by which Rasselas was now actuated? Explain why he could not quiet his emotions so speedily as the sage. Compare his former with his present anticipation of the length of life.

3. What was the first beam of hope that had been ever darted into his mind? Explain his never having experienced hope till now? What alteration of his aspect did this beam of hope produce? Of what nature was the desire with which he was now fired?

4. In what consisted the secret stock of happiness of which he was now master? How was it that he could not enjoy that happiness without concealing it? In order to conceal it, how did he behave, instead of being gloomy and unsocial?

5. Show that this necessary procedure must have allowed him many convenient opportunities for solitary thought. How was it that he could now take pleasure both in society and privacy?

APPENDIX II.

NOTES ON RASSELAS.

(The numbers correspond to the marginal divisions of the text.)

1. The first paragraph of Chap. I. is introductory to the whole story, and is remarkable for the fine melodious flow of its language. It addresses in a figurative way those who are easily inclined to think true what they secretly fancy, who eagerly think to obtain imaginary objects of hope, who in the time of youth think that all the good things which they attribute to the time of age are sure to come, and that the happiness they fail to realise at present will, ere long, be experienced.

Fancy is metaphorically supposed to whisper, or suggest secretly, because one's fancy is privately indulged, without reference to reason, or to the opinions of others. The objects of hope are supposed to move farther off as they are approached. Youth and age both refer to one individual,— the age that once was youth being expected to perform youth's promises.

The paragraph concludes by calling attention to the history of Rasselas, because that history is intended to exemplify the vanity of such credulity, eagerness, and expectation, as the paragraph refers to.

Abyssinia, sometimes called Ethiopia, the southern portion of the great region of the Nile, in Africa, lies on the west of the Red Sea, in the northern part of the torrid zone. It was Christianised towards the end of the fourth century, and is still nominally Christian. The once powerful empire of Abyssinia is now dissolved, and of the several petty states that have risen upon its ruins, the principal are Amhara, Tigré, and Shoa.

Ye, the nominative to the imperative verb attend; and also a nominative of address. Who, a plural relative, second person.

2. Two principal streams, unite to form the Nile, the Abiad or

« ZurückWeiter »