Summary:
“The Pied Piper of Hamelin” is a ballad written by Robert Browning. The story is based on the German legend of the Pied Piper who was hired by the town of Hamelin to rid it of a rat infestation. He played a magical pipe to lure the rats into the Weser River, where they drowned. However, when the town refused to pay him for his services, the Piper took revenge by playing his pipe again, this time luring away the town’s children. The poem explores themes of justice, retribution, and the consequences of breaking promises. The Piper, a figure of both magic and vengeance, teaches the town a harsh lesson in the consequences of dishonoring agreements.
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| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | The Pied Piper of Hamelin |
| Poet | Robert Browning |
| Year Written | 1842 |
| Year Published | 1842 |
| Poem Type | Ballad |
| Verse Form | Rhymed Stanzas |
| Setting | Hamelin, a town in Germany |
| Main Character | The Pied Piper, Townspeople, The Mayor, The Children |
| Themes | Justice, Revenge, Breaking promises, Consequences |
| Tone | Dark, Cautionary |
| Famous Quote | “Who’ll sing me the praises of the Pied Piper?” |
| Main Conflict | The Piper’s revenge after being denied payment |
| Structure | The poem consists of 5 stanzas, each with regular rhyme schemes |
| Legacy | One of Browning’s most well-known poems, often used to teach lessons about the consequences of broken promises |