Vitaï Lampada

Question 1

Vitaï Lampada — Context:

Answer 1

• Henry Newbolt was a devout Christian and a firm believer in the value of tradition.
• He was appointed controller of telecommunications in WWI to help shape public opinion in favour of the war effort.
• In the early 19th Century, school children were taught values of honesty, chivalry and hard work. Newbolt felt that these should be used as moral guides.
• The poem exhibits Newbolt’s views of valuing tradition and personal discipline for the sake of the whole society.

Question 2

Vitaï Lampada — Structure:

Answer 2

Three 8 line stanzas, each representing a different moment in the life of a Clifton College schoolboy, where Newbolt attended.

• Repeated refrain at the end of each stanza, life lessons from school will go through an individual’s life with them.

Question 3

Vitaï Lampada — Rhythm:

Answer 3

Loose Iambic Pentameter

Traditional rhythmic pattern reinforces focus Newbolt puts on tradition.

Question 4

Vitaï Lampada — Rhyme:

Answer 4

ABAB alternating rhyme scheme.

Moves back and forth between A and B, reflecting how the school boys will always return back to their heritage and upbringing in times of need.