Isabella or The Pot of Basil Revision

Question 1

What form is the poem?

Answer 1

Ottava Rima

Question 2

The poet makes use of a number of gothic conventions. How many can you name? (5)

Answer 2

Prolonged period of love being held back.
Gloomy forest setting.
Lorenzo’s Ghost appearing at midnight.
Grief and Madness
The macabre burial of the head in Basil.

Question 3

‘poor simple Isabel!’ sets the protagonist up immediately as what?

Answer 3

A vulnerable and innocent victim.

Question 4

‘a young palmer’ is an intertextual reference to what?

Answer 4

Romeo and Juliet - ‘holy palmer’s kiss’ - which immediately establishes the Lorenzo and Isabella as tragic lovers.

Question 5

What is the effect of the anaphora in the first stanza?

Answer 5

It shows the depth of their devotion to each other and also the frustration that they cannot be together.

Question 6

Why does Keats capitalise ‘Love’ in the first stanza?

Answer 6

To Keats and other Romantic writers, abstract emotions were also given more significance.

Question 7

Keats’ meaningful descriptions of love in the poem - such as ‘her lute-string gave an echo of his name – are thought to be inspired by who?

Answer 7

Fanny Brawne

Question 8

‘He knew whose gentle-hand was at the latch // Before the door had given her to his _____.’

Answer 8

eyes

Question 9

In the fourth stanza, Keats uses a lot of pauses, caesura and punctuation, why?

Answer 9

It symbolises the separation between the two.

Question 10

‘I may not speak // And yet I will, and tell ___ ____ all plain.’

Answer 10

my love

Question 11

‘I will drink her _____’

Answer 11

tears

Question 12

What does ‘Stifled his voice’ symbolise?

Answer 12

Social convention that prevents him from speaking to her.

Question 13

Analyse: ‘Alas! When passion is both meek and wild!

Answer 13

The antithesis could show Lorenzo’s conflicting emotions, his love versus social convention.

It could show their doomed, alluding to their different natures and how they cannot work together.

Question 14

‘If Isabel’s quick ____ had not been wed.’

Answer 14

eye

Question 15

In Stanza VIII, Lorenzo tells Isabel of his love. How does Keats create a sense of foreboding about that confession?

Answer 15

Through the semantic field of death. ‘my grief’, ‘its doom’ ‘grieve’ ‘cannot live’.

Question 16

What technique does Keats use in Stanza IV to create a positivity surrounding their love?

Answer 16

Natural imagery - ‘leading me from wintry cold’ ‘‘to summer clime’ ‘the blossoms that unfold’ ‘lusty flower’

Question 17

In Stanza X, how does Keats temper the mood and remind us of tragedy?

Answer 17

‘Twin roses by the zephyr blown apart’.

Question 18

What is the significance of ‘a ditty fair // sang’?

Answer 18

Ditty is an archaic word for a short song. It is light-hearted showing her happiness but the length indicates the foreboding danger that will cut their time short.

Question 19

How is ‘All close they met again, before the dusk’ significant?

Answer 19

The caesura emphasises the approaching darkness that will ruin their love.

Question 20

What is a hyacninth?

Answer 20

A funeral flower

Question 21

‘Than idle ears should pleasure in their ____.’

Answer 21

Woe

Question 22

What is actually being suggested in the line ‘Were they unhappy then? – It cannot be–’?

Answer 22

It is suggested that there relationship cannot ‘exist’ due to the social constraints. The use of dashes serves to separate them further, symbolising the barrier between the two.

Question 23

In Stanza XII, what does the anaphora of ‘too many’ emphasise?

Answer 23

The common trait in love being heartache.

Question 24

Analyse: ‘there is richest juice in poison-flowers.’

Answer 24

Poison foreshadows the harm that will come. However, richest juice suggest the taboo nature of their love made their feeling stronger.

Question 25

What does 'enriched from ancestral merchandise' suggest about the brothers?

Answer 25

That they have inherited wealth and have not had to work for it. It gives them an immediate sense of entitlement.

Question 26

Analyse: 'And for them many a weary hand did swelt // In torched mines and noisy factories.'

Answer 26

It depicts the brothers as cruel masters, possibly linking them to mill and factory owners during the Industrial Revolution.

Question 27

Why might Keats link the brothers to the Industrial Revolution?

Answer 27

Because as a Romantic, Keats had an affinity with nature and therefore a dislike of those in industry, depicting the brothers as some such people.

Question 28

The brothers are described as '_____ - _____ they turned an easy wheel.'

Answer 28

Half-ignorant

Question 29

What is the example of anaphora Keats uses in Stanza XVI to establish the brothers as villanous?

Answer 29

'Were they proud?'

Question 30

Keats' condemnation of the brothers in Stanza XVI seems to take an anti-capitalist stance 'red-lined accounts' and 'richer than songs'. What does this show us about Keats?

Answer 30

That Keats has sympathy for the suffering of ordinary working people.

Question 31

'Fair Isabella in her ____ nest?'

Answer 31

downy

Question 32

How does 'in her downy nest' presents Isabella in comparison to her 'proud' brothers?

Answer 32

It presents her as innocent and delicate like the fluffy feathers of baby birds.

Question 33

Who is referred to as 'Hot Egypt's pest'?

Answer 33

The brothers

Question 34

'Must see behind, as doth the ______ ______'.

Answer 34

Hunted hare

Question 35

Analyse: 'Must see behind, as doth the hunted hare.'

Answer 35

The zoomorphism presents the brothers as the predators and Lorenzo as the prey.

Question 36

Who is Boccaccio?

Answer 36

An Italian writer and poet who wrote a similar story in prose and is praised by Keats in the poem for his ability to depict lovers and and their feelings.

Question 37

Why do you think Keats addresses 'O eloquent and famed Boccaccio'?

Answer 37

To point out the lasting legacy of love stories told through these high art forms, indicating their importance.

Question 38

'To some high noble and his olive-trees' indicates what about the brothers and their reasons for disliking Lorenzo?

Answer 38

It shows that they want her sister to marry someone else for their wealth.

Question 39

'To make the youngster for his _____ atone'

Answer 39

crime

Question 40

Why does Keats capitalise 'Mercy' in 'cut Mercy, with a sharp knife to the bone'?

Answer 40

To give added importance to the abstract (typical of Keats). Compassion and love should outweigh thoughts of wealth and status.

Question 41

In stanza XXV, Keats returns to idea of Lorenzo sensing Isabella before he sees her - 'the light whisper of her footstep soft' - why does he do this?

Answer 41

To remind us of the depth of their connection, increasing the tragic nature of this scene as the reader know the brothers mean him harm.

Question 42

What does 'amorous dark' refer to?

Answer 42

It refers to sexual desires, reminding us of the forbidden nature of their relationship, again perhaps making a reference to Romeo and Juliet.

Question 43

What is significant about their goodbye in Stanza XXVI?

Answer 43

There is a dramatic irony to it as the reader starts to/or understands that this is actually their final goodbye, yet she leaves 'merrily'.

Question 44

'So the two brothers and their _______ man // Rode past Florence'

Answer 44

'murder'd'

Question 45

What is the effect of the juxtaposing language in Stanza XXVII? 'stream // Gurgles' 'dancing bulrush' against 'murder'd man' ''sick and wan' and 'for the slaughter'

Answer 45

The natural world seems filled with life, contrasting the humans who are linked to death and suffering. Even the brothers are 'sick and wan' possibly linking them to an idea of guilt or concern for what they are about to do.

Question 46

What is interesting about the line 'There was Lorenzo slain and buried'?

Answer 46

It is oddly minimalist, particularly considering the rest of the poem.

Question 47

Why does Keats choose to present Lorenzo's murder in such a minimalist fashion?

Answer 47

1. because the act of the murder is too horrific to relate. 2. the ease and speed with which Lorenzo is dispatched, increases the callous presentation of the brothers.

Question 48

'It aches in ________ -- is ill at peace'

Answer 48

loneliness

Question 49

Why do the brothers dip 'their swords in water'?

Answer 49

To attempt to cleanse themselves of their sins.

Question 50

'Each ______ by his being a murderer.'

Answer 50

richer

Question 51

What technique - typical of Keats - is used here? 'Poor Girl!'

Answer 51

Exclamatory

Question 52

In Stanza XXX, what could Keats be referring to through language choices such as 'pleasures' 'instead of love' 'gentle moan' and 'low murmuring'?

Answer 52

A sexual longing.

Question 53

What does Keats imply when he calls 'Selfishness, Love's cousin'?

Answer 53

That the two are intrinsically linked.

Question 54

What does her 'richer zest // came tragic' imply?

Answer 54

That he feelings of passion, lust and longing for him becomes deeper grief 'and sorrow'.

Question 55

In Stanza XXXII, the 'autumn' and 'the breath of winter' arrives. What technique is this?

Answer 55

Pathetic fallacy.

Question 56

In Stanza XXXII, Isabella is referred to as 'sweet' rather than 'fair' as she was earlier. What does this indicate?

Answer 56

That she is more mature and has lost her innocence. Whether or not this is from her relationship or the loss of Lorenzo is unclear.

Question 57

What is the effect of the caesura in the line 'But Lorenzo came not. Oftentimes'?

Answer 57

It creates a blunt tone perhaps representing her realisation that he will not come.

Question 58

The image of sight is returned to in 'an eye all pale'. What does the pale eye suggest?

Answer 58

That without Lorenzo she is now blind.

Question 59

'every night in dreams they _____ aloud // To see their sister in her snowy shroud.'

Answer 59

groan'd

Question 60

How are we once again reminded of the love that murder has interrupted in stanza XXXV?

Answer 60

'Had marr'd his glossy hair which once could shoot // Lustre into the sun' (through the use of light imagery contrasted with dark 'doom')

Question 61

'Pale shadow' 'piteous tongue' 'tremulous shake' of music 'ghostly undersong' 'hoarse night gusts' are all used in stanza XXVI and link to which genre?

Answer 61

Gothic

Question 62

Why does Keats refer to Lorenzo as 'Its eyes'?

Answer 62

It dehumanizes the ghost.

Question 63

Analyse: 'were still all dewy bright // With love'.

Answer 63

The enjambment emphasises the lasting feeling and connection of the two.

Question 64

Analyse: 'Upon the skirts of human-nature dwelling // Alone'.

Answer 64

The line shows he cannot pass on and is still suffering in death. However the enjambment draws attention to his true suffering - not having her.

Question 65

Why does Lorenzo call Isabella a seraph?

Answer 65

They are the highest and noblest celestial being - just seeing her brings him some comfort despite the pain of his suffering and tomb.

Question 66

Why does Lorenzo state her 'paleness warms' and 'paleness makes [him] glad?'

Answer 66

Her is referring to her beauty. Paleness in this time was considered a desirable trait.

Question 67

'I thought the worst was _____ ______'

Answer 67

simple misery

Question 68

Analyse: 'school'd my infancy'

Answer 68

Isabella has become more experienced of the evil in the world.

Question 69

'And went into that dismal _____-_____'

Answer 69

'forest-hearse'

Question 70

'Ah! this is a _____ to what was felt // When Isabella by Lorenzo knelt.'

Answer 70

holiday

Question 71

Why when Isabella sees 'the murderous spot' does 'she [seem] to grow'?

Answer 71

The grief she feels gives her strength.

Question 72

The lily (a flower associated with funerals is described as 'native' in stanza XLVI. What does this imply?

Answer 72

That the idea of pain is rooted in love. The two are symbiotic.

Question 73

'To dig more _________ than misers can'

Answer 73

fervently

Question 74

What does 'she kissed it with a lip more than chill than stone' imply?

Answer 74

Death. The suggestion is that she is dying herself, such is the intensity of her grief.

Question 75

'But to throw back at times her ______ her.'

Answer 75

veiling

Question 76

What is interesting about the fact that Isabella is engaging in 'dismal labouring' in XLVIII?

Answer 76

The brothers killed Lorenzo because they wanted her to marry higher, but here she is connecting to Lorenzo through manual labour.

Question 77

When finding Lorenzo's body why did she 'not stamp and rave'?

Answer 77

Because she is now drained of emotion. Her moment of catharsis has already passed.

Question 78

''Twas love ; cold, - dead indeed, but not ______.'

Answer 78

dethroned

Question 79

'She drench'd away: - and _____ she comb'd, and kept // Sighing all day -- and ______ she kiss'd, and wept.'

Answer 79

still/still

Question 80

In LIII, what technique is used to shows Isabella's obsession?

Answer 80

Anaphora - 'And she forgot...'

Question 81

'And so she ever fed it with ____ _____'

Answer 81

thin tears

Question 82

In LV, which mythological character is referred to who once again links to the idea of tragedy in love?

Answer 82

Echo from the echo and Narcissus tale.

Question 83

In LVI, why is Isabella referred to once again (echoing the first line) as simple?

Answer 83

She is pure and of a single, loving mind.

Question 84

'She withers like a _____'

Answer 84

palm

Question 85

Who are Baalites?

Answer 85

Worshippers of the God of rain.

Question 86

Analyse: 'seldom did she go to chapel-shrift'.

Answer 86

Such is her grief that she has even forgone her faith (consider the importance of that in the Romantic period)

Question 87

Analyse: 'For cruel 'tis,' said she // To steal my Basil-pot away from me.'

Answer 87

Keats gives her voice here allowing the audience to feel pathos. Basil-pot is also capitalised making clear she is refencing Lorenzo.

Question 88

Analyse: 'O cruelty // To steal my Basil-pot away from me.'

Answer 88

Keats gives Isabella the final lines of the poem. It reinforces the tragedy of the poem but also shows the suffering she must go through to reclaim some degree of agency.