Summary:
How Soon Hath Time is a sonnet written by John Milton, reflecting on the passage of time and the personal feelings of the poet. Milton, who was in his early twenties when he wrote this poem, expresses a sense of frustration and sorrow about the rapid passage of time. He laments that time has passed quickly, and in doing so, he has not yet achieved all that he hoped to accomplish. In the poem, Milton uses the metaphor of a “young man” in relation to his own age and compares his unfulfilled ambitions with the reality of life’s fleeting nature. He concludes by acknowledging that time has its own purpose, and that everything happens according to God’s will, suggesting that his life and achievements will be fulfilled in time, as per divine design.
1. : What is the main theme of How Soon Hath Time?
(A) The beauty of youth
(B) The passage of time and unfulfilled ambition
(C) The joy of love
(D) The importance of education
2. : Who is the speaker in How Soon Hath Time?
(A) A young lover
(B) John Milton himself
(C) A wise elder
(D) A religious figure
3. : How does the poet feel about the passing of time in How Soon Hath Time?
(A) Indifferent
(B) Joyful and accepting
(C) Sad and frustrated
(D) Grateful for every moment
4. : What does Milton lament about in How Soon Hath Time?
(A) His lack of material wealth
(B) His inability to accomplish all he had hoped to by a certain age
(C) His failure in love
(D) His lack of recognition as a poet
5. : What does Milton believe about the passage of time in How Soon Hath Time?
(A) Time is irrelevant to human life
(B) Time moves too quickly and disrupts life plans
(C) Time is guided by God’s will and purpose
(D) Time is an illusion
6. : How does the poet suggest that he will be fulfilled in the future?
(A) Through wealth and fame
(B) Through God’s will and purpose
(C) Through his accomplishments
(D) Through marriage
7. : What literary form is How Soon Hath Time?
(A) Free verse
(B) Sonnet
(C) Lyric poem
(D) Haiku
8. : What does Milton compare his unfulfilled ambitions to in How Soon Hath Time?
(A) A flower that never blooms
(B) A bird that never flies
(C) A young man who has yet to achieve greatness
(D) A dream that fades away
9. : Which of the following best describes the tone of How Soon Hath Time?
(A) Confident and optimistic
(B) Reflective and resigned
(C) Angry and rebellious
(D) Joyful and celebratory
10. : In How Soon Hath Time, what is Milton’s view on the passage of time?
(A) He believes it should be ignored
(B) He sees it as a divine process that shapes life according to God’s plan
(C) He views it as a punishment
(D) He sees it as something that should be celebrated