Auden

Question 1

Lullaby: When was this poem published?

Answer 1

1937

Question 2

Lullaby: What is going on in this poem?

Answer 2

Speaking to his sleeping lover, the speaker muses on death, change, and the passage of time. Despite that some of these thoughts are depressing or upsetting, this night is perfect.

Question 3

As I Walked Out One Evening: What is the form of this poem?

Answer 3

Lyrical ballad

Question 4

As I Walked Out One Evening: What happens in this poem?

Answer 4

The speaker is out for an evening stroll when he hears someone singing sweet nothings to their lover about undying love. In the middle of the song, the clocks of the city begin to chime in with their own song - about the inescapability of time and death. By the time the clock is done chiming, the lovers are gone.

Question 5

As I Walked Out One Evening: How many speakers are in this poem?

Answer 5

Three

Question 6

As I Walked Out One Evening: What do the clocks “conclude”?

Answer 6

That love is still worthwhile even though it will end and we will die.

“You shall love your crooked neighbour / With your crooked heart.”

Question 7

The Shield of Achilles: What is described in this poem?

Answer 7

Thetis is looking over Hephaestos’ shoulder as he is making new armor for her son, Achilles. She expects to see traditional scenes of temples, dancing, libations, pastoral scenes, etc. - but instead she sees him crafting scenes of brutality, darkness, and death.

Question 8

When did Auden live?

Answer 8

1907 - 1973

Question 9

The Shield of Achilles: When was this poem published?

Answer 9

1952

Question 10

What is the classical source for this poem?

Answer 10

The Illiad

Question 11

The Shield of Achilles: Discuss the temporality of this poem.

Answer 11

The poem is obviously based in classical sources, but many of the scenes Thetis glimpses on the shield Hephaestos makes are reminiscent of WWII, just a few years past at the time of the poem’s publication.

The poem isn’t necessarily directly referencing events from WWII, but it is exploring a possible future for the world that has recently seen such horrible atrocities.

Question 12

The Shield of Achilles: What is a Biblical reference in the poem?

Answer 12

The three figures which are seen being led to three posts in the ground (Jesus’s crucifixion between two criminals).

These can also be seen as an allusion to those killed in concentration camps.

Question 13

In Praise of Limestone: What real-life locale inspired this poem?

Answer 13

The countryside outside of Florence, Italy.

Question 14

Musee des Beaux Arts: What is the form of this poem?

Answer 14

A Free Verse ekphrastic.

An ekphrastic poem is a vivid description of a scene or, more commonly, a work of art.

Question 15

Musee des Beaux Arts: What is the subject of this poem?

Answer 15

Brueghel’s “Icarus” (16th c. painting)

Question 16

Musee des Beaux Arts: What is the sentiment of this poem?

Answer 16

That life does not necessarily notice miraculous events. When Icarus falls from the sky – a big deal both for Icarus and mythology – there are farmers and sailors who go about their business.

Events that define some people’s entire existence – especially painful ones – are totally inconsequential to others.

Question 17

Musee des Beaux Arts: What is an ekphrastic poem?

Answer 17

An ekphrastic poem is a vivid description of a scene or, more commonly, a work of art.

Question 18

In Praise of Limestone: What is the sentiment of this poem?

Answer 18

In this “postmodern pastoral,” the poet reflects on the limestone formations and how they were created by the endless onslaught of water, sun, and air. The limestone landscape has been formed through huge historical and geological disruptions - love and the meaning of life are much the same.

(Difficult things are also needed to make something beautiful.)

Question 19

September 1, 1939: What is the significance of the date in this poem?

Answer 19

It is the date WWII begins (Germany invades Poland)

Question 20

September 1, 1939: What is the sentiment of this poem?

Answer 20

The speaker is sitting in a NYC bar, which offers a distraction from the turmoil of the outside world, where WWII has just broken out. Here, patrons can pretend the day is “average”, but the poet feels it is his responsibility to “undo the folded lie” and face reality. Things are really dark right now – all we can do is love each other and look forward to death.

Question 21

September 1, 1939: What is a noted change in a later version of this poem?

Answer 21

In the original version, Auden says that “We must love one another or die,” indicating that there might be some kind of transcendence in love. Later, he changes it to “We must love one another AND die,” because he felt that the first sentiment was dishonest.