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.
MCQs:
- What does the Pied Piper use to lure the rats away from Hamelin? a) A flute
b) A horn
c) A pipe
d) A drum
Answer: c) A pipe - How do the townspeople react when the Pied Piper asks for his payment? a) They refuse to pay him
b) They pay him immediately
c) They ignore him
d) They ask him to leave
Answer: a) They refuse to pay him - What does the Pied Piper do after the townspeople refuse to pay him? a) He plays his pipe again and lures the children away
b) He leaves the town in anger
c) He calls for reinforcements
d) He begins playing to attract more rats
Answer: a) He plays his pipe again and lures the children away
The Pied Piper of Hamelin - How many children does the Pied Piper take away from Hamelin? a) 50
b) 100
c) 130
d) 200
Answer: c) 130 - What is the lesson conveyed in “The Pied Piper of Hamelin”? a) Never break promises
b) Trust in magic
c) The power of music
d) Obey the authorities
Answer: a) Never break promises - Who hires the Pied Piper in the poem? a) The King
b) The townspeople of Hamelin
c) A rich merchant
d) The mayor of Hamelin
Answer: b) The townspeople of Hamelin - What is the reaction of the children when the Pied Piper plays his pipe? a) They follow him willingly
b) They resist him
c) They cry for help
d) They try to escape
Answer: a) They follow him willingly - What happens to the children after they are led by the Pied Piper? a) They are returned to the town
b) They are lost forever
c) They are taken to a new town
d) They are transformed into rats
Answer: b) They are lost forever - In what form does the Piper’s magic manifest in the poem? a) Through a spell
b) Through a pipe with magical powers
c) Through a potion
d) Through a magic cloak
Answer: b) Through a pipe with magical powers - What is the tone of the poem “The Pied Piper of Hamelin”? a) Joyful and festive
b) Dark and cautionary
c) Lighthearted and funny
d) Mysterious and adventurous
Answer: b) Dark and cautionary
| 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 |