Anthology Lesson: "The Horses of the Sea"

Anthology Lesson: "The Horses of the Sea"

Lesson on reading poetry!

Points for the class:

• 📌 Point 1: Determine correct word usage and synonyms and antonyms for vocabulary words (p. 54)

• 📌 Point 2: Determine denotations, the author's purpose, and the contrast within the poem (p. 55-56)

• 📌 Point 3: Determine characteristics, and structure and mood (p. 57)

The horses of the sea

Rear a foaming crest,

But the horses of the land

Serve us the best.

The horses of the land

Munch corn and clover,

While the foaming seahorses

Toss and turn over.

"The Horses of the Sea" by Christina Rossetti

Multiple Choice

If the conditions are right, the crest will curl and topple as the wave breaks upon the shore.

(The word crest is best defined as...)

• the peak of a land mass

• the bottom of the sea

• the top of a wave

• to lift up

Multiple Choice

Goats are often used to eradicate invasive weeds, as they munch them to prevent them from spreading.

(The word munch is best defined as...)

• to chew, often loud enough to be heard

• to grow rapidly

• a lot; a great amount

• to overrun

Multiple Choice

A wild horse will rear up and try to shake a rider. Tame horses are much easier to ride.

(The word rear is best defined as...)

• behind

• the back of a theater

• raise to an upright position

• to scare

Multiple Choice

Which answer is a synonym for munch?

• grind

• drop

• trample

• shorten

Multiple Choice

Which answer is an antonym of rear?

• hoist

• curtail

• drop

• escape

Multiple Choice

Which answer is an antonym of crest? (Hint: quickly google a word if you are unfamiliar with its definition!)

• apex

• nadir

• elevate

• jump

Literary Analysis:

"Denotation": the literal meaning of a word, typically its definition in a dictionary

"Connotation": any emotional meaning attached to a word

(For instance: the denotation (or literal meaning) of "skinny" and "slender" are the same: having a light or small body. However, the words have slightly different connotations. "Skinny" has a somewhat negative connotation of being underweight or bony, while "slender" has a positive connotation of being in shape and maintaining a healthy weight.)

Multiple Choice

Horses' movements can be described in many ways. If a horse rears, it suggests__________.

• it is moving backwards

• it is acting strong-willed or stubborn

• it is trotting

• it is tired

Multiple Choice

What does "to serve" mean, in line 4?

• to give food out

• to play tennis

• to agree with

• to be of use

Multiple Choice

Of all the ways to describe eating, what feelings or ideas go along with the word "munch"?

• making noise when you eat

• being a sloppy eater

• being a picky eater

• eating with good manners

Multiple Choice

What mood is reinforced by the phrase "munch corn and clover"?

• mellow

• solemn

• tense

• silly

Multiple Choice

Which word in the first stanza contrasts with the idea of the idea of the sea horses "rearing"?

• best

• land

• serve

• follow

In what ways do horses of the land "serve" us? Why do you think Rossetti chose this word? (p. 56 in workbook)

Answer:

📌 Horses serve people by working on farms, carrying them from place to place, and entertaining them with races. By choosing the word "serve", Rossetti suggests that these horses have a purpose.

What part of the sea do you associate with the words "crest" and "foaming"? What are other words in the poem that have this same condition? Why does Rossetti choose these words? (p. 56)

Answer:

📌 The two words are with the waves and surf of the ocean. The verbs "toss and turn over" have similar connotations of the rough ocean. Rossetti chose these words because her "horses of the sea" are not live being, but the waves and surf of the ocean.

How does the author draw attention to the contrast between the two types of horses that she describes in the poem? In your answer, examine her choice of words for each type of horse as well as any transitional words in the poem.

Answer:

📌 Rossetti uses words such as "serve", "munch", "corn", and "clover" to create an image of real-life horses that live and work on land. For the "horses of the sea", she uses the words "crest", "turn", and "toss" to create an image of rolling waves that are nothing but airy foam. While one is sturdy and dutiful, the other type is light and rebellious.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following describes characteristics of "the horses of the sea"?

• active and rebellious

• solemn and slow

• fast and hungry

• lazy and withdrawn

Multiple Choice

Which of the following describes characteristics of the "horses of the land"?

• energetic and spirited

• driven and stubborn

• dutiful and laid-back

• proud and tall

Rossetti begins and ends the poem with the horses of the sea. Examine the stucture of the poem. Why might Rossetti have structured the poem the way she did?

Answer:

📌 The horses of the land are mentioned at the end of the first stanza and the beginning of the second stanza. In this way, the sea horses surround the land horses as land is surrounded by water. However, she also might have structured it this way to highlight sea horses as the focus of the poem, as the title suggests.

Open Ended

Describe the mood of the poem. What words or phrases help create that mood as you read?

The mood of the poem:

📌 "horses of the sea": active, tumultuous, churning waves, and bobbing seahorses

📌 "horses of the land": calm and soothing, peaceful, etc.