After Blenheim

Question 1

Sides of war

Answer 1

English vs French, English won

Question 2

Consequences of the battle

Answer 2

1. Old Kasper’s father’s “dwelling”(which was at Blenheim) was burned to the ground, he was forced to “fly” with his wife and child and he did not have a place to “rest his head” on.
2. The country was “wasted far and wide” with “fire and sword”.
3. Many “childing” mothers died.
4. Many “new-born babies” died.
5. After the battle was won by the English, there lay thousands of bodies “rotting in the sun”.

Question 3

Who was responsible for the victory of the English?

Answer 3

The Duke of Marlbro’ and prince Eugene

Question 4

Refrain in After Blenheim

Answer 4

Refrain is used when the phrase “great victory” is repeated in every stanza to emphasise the idea of propaganda affecting people’s opinions on war.

Question 5

Alliteration in After Blenheim

Answer 5

Alliteration is used in the phrase “with wonder-waiting eyes” to add to the rhythm of the poem.

Question 6

Metonymy in After Blenheim

Answer 6

Metonymy is used in the phrase “sported on the green” to describe the environment of Old Kasper, Wilhelmine and Peterkin better.

Question 7

Polysdenton in After Blenheim

Answer 7

Polysdenton is used in the lines “large and smooth and round” to slow down the rhythm of the poem and emphasise on the skull that Wilhelmine was holding,.

Question 8

Archaism in After Blenheim

Answer 8

Archaism is seen by the use of words such as “Twas”, “nay” and “quoth”.

Question 9

Hyperbaton in After Blenheim

Answer 9

Hyperbaton is used in the phrase “which he beside the rivulet”.

Question 10

Consonance in After Blenheim

Answer 10

Consonance is used in After Blenheim in the phrase “Little Wilhelmine looks up”(with the repetition of the consonant “l”) in order to add to the rhythm of the poem.