Summary:
“Hymn Before Sunrise in the Vale of Chamouni” is a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, written in 1802. The poem was inspired by Coleridge’s deep admiration for Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps. He was influenced by Friedrich Schiller’s poem “Die Götter Griechenlands” and was moved by the grandeur of nature.
The poem is a celebration of nature’s majesty and its connection to the divine. Coleridge describes the sublime beauty of the mountains, glaciers, and valleys, expressing awe at their grandeur. He reflects on the power of God as the ultimate creator, emphasizing the insignificance of humans in comparison to nature’s vastness. The poem’s tone is reverent and exalted, portraying the natural world as a testament to divine power and glory.
MCQs:
- Who wrote Hymn Before Sunrise in the Vale of Chamouni?
A) William Wordsworth
B) Percy Bysshe Shelley
C) Samuel Taylor Coleridge
D) Lord Byron
Answer: C) Samuel Taylor Coleridge - What inspired Coleridge to write this poem?
A) His visit to Chamouni
B) Friedrich Schiller’s poem Die Götter Griechenlands
C) A religious vision
D) A conversation with William Wordsworth
Answer: B) Friedrich Schiller’s poem Die Götter Griechenlands - Which mountain is central to the poem?
A) Mount Everest
B) Mont Blanc
C) K2
D) Mount Kilimanjaro
Answer: B) Mont Blanc - What is the main theme of the poem?
A) The importance of human ambition
B) The conflict between man and nature
C) The majesty of nature and divine power
D) The beauty of city life
Answer: C) The majesty of nature and divine power - What literary movement does the poem belong to?
A) Realism
B) Romanticism
C) Modernism
D) Classicism
Answer: B) Romanticism - What tone does Coleridge use in the poem?
A) Sarcastic and humorous
B) Reverent and awe-struck
C) Melancholic and regretful
D) Detached and analytical
Answer: B) Reverent and awe-struck - How does Coleridge describe Mont Blanc?
A) As a dangerous and terrifying place
B) As a symbol of human weakness
C) As a divine and majestic creation
D) As a place of loneliness and despair
Answer: C) As a divine and majestic creation - Which of the following best describes Coleridge’s view of nature in the poem?
A) A hostile and uncontrollable force
B) A lifeless and indifferent entity
C) A divine manifestation of God’s power
D) A simple background for human activity
Answer: C) A divine manifestation of God’s power - What kind of imagery is most prominent in the poem?
A) Urban and industrial imagery
B) Religious and natural imagery
C) Maritime and oceanic imagery
D) War and destruction imagery
Answer: B) Religious and natural imagery - What message does the poem ultimately convey?
A) The superiority of human intelligence over nature
B) The temporary nature of beauty
C) The awe-inspiring power of God through nature
D) The importance of scientific discoveries
Answer: C) The awe-inspiring power of God through nature
Question | Answer |
Poem Name | Hymn Before Sunrise in the Vale of Chamouni |
Author | Samuel Taylor Coleridge |
Year Written | 1802 |
Main Themes | Nature’s grandeur, divine power, sublimity |
Literary Devices | Imagery, metaphor, personification |
Inspiration | Friedrich Schiller’s Die Götter Griechenlands |
Central Symbol | Mont Blanc |
Significance | Celebrates nature as a reflection of God’s greatness |