After Blenheim Flashcards
When does this poem take plaec?
During a summer evening
What is the name of the grandfather?
Old Kaspar
Who were the grandfather’s grandchildren?
His granddaughter was Wilhelmine and his grandson was Peterkin
Where and when did Peterkin find the skull?
He found it beside the rivulent while playing there
How is the skull described?
The skull is described as being “large”, “smooth” and “round”
Are skulls common in the garden? How does Old Kaspar know?
Skulls are common in the garden.
He knows this because, often, when he goes to “plough”, the “ploughshare” “turns” the skulls “out”.
Who wanted to know about the war first?
Peterkin
Who fought in the Battle of Blenheim? Who won?
The English and the French. The English won
What consequences did Old Kaspar face due to the war?
Old Kaspar’s father lived at Blenheim during the war, “yon stream hard by”. His “dwelling” was burnt to the ground and he was “forced to fly”. He fled with his wife and child and he did not have any place to “rest his head”.
What consequences did the country overall face because of the battle of Blenheim?
The country was “wasted fire and wide” with “fire and sword”. Many childing mothers and newborn babies died.
What shocking sight was seen after the Battle of Blenheim?
After the Battle of Blenheim, “many thousand bodies” laid “rotting in the sun” on the battle field. This was the “shocking sight” that was seen.
Who won great praise for victory in the Battle of Blenheim?
The Duke of Marlbro’ and prince Eugene
Does Kaspar know the reason for the war?
No.
When asked by Peterkin what good came of the war at last, Old Kaspar said that he “could not tell”.
Additionally, when explaining the sides of the war, he said that he could not make out what the French and the English fought for.
What is the genre of After Blenheim?
Ballad
Refrain in After Blenheim
The poetic device refrain is used for the phrase “the great victory” in order to cement the irony of the war.
Although the war was praised by everyone for its greatness, throughout the poem, Kaspar cannot find a reason for the war to occur. This makes it seem like a meaningless massacre.
This irony is shown to emphasise that, despite what any propaganda that may be indoctrinated to people says, wars are senseless, futile and evil and that, in war, there are no winners.
