Easter 1916 By William Butler Yeats 1921

What does the phrase "rode to harriers" mean in the context of the poem?

• It means to ride horses.

• It refers to participating in a hunt.

• It signifies traveling to a distant place.

• It means to join a group of travelers.

Who is referred to as "this man" in the poem, and what was his role in the Easter Rising?

• Patrick Pearse, leader of the Easter Rising

• James Connolly, commander of the Irish Citizen Army

• Thomas Clarke, signatory of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic

• Eamon de Valera, future President of Ireland

Who is "his helper and friend" mentioned in the poem, and what was his significance in the Easter Rising?

• James Connolly

• Patrick Pearse

• Thomas Clarke

• Michael Collins

Who is "this other man" referred to in the poem, and why did Yeats dislike him?

• A fellow poet

• A political figure

• A romantic rival

• A family member

Define the term "vainglorious" as used in the poem.

• Boastful

• Humble

• Generous

• Timid

What does the term "lout" mean as used in the poem?

• A clumsy, ill-mannered person

• A skilled craftsman

• A wise scholar

• A brave warrior

Which of the following statements best describes the poetic effect of the repetition of the phrase "A terrible beauty is born" in line 16, line 40, and line 80?

• The repetition emphasizes the social and political turmoil following the Easter Rising.

• The repetition stresses the new government that was "born" from the Irish rebellion.

• The repeating line embodies both the violence and idealism of the Easter Rising, out of which a changed Ireland emerged.

• The repeating line reflects the Irish people's strengthening resolve for independence, implying the Easter Rising will not be the last conflict with England.

PART A: How do the descriptions of the local people involved in the uprising in stanza 2 help develop the speaker's point of view?

• The descriptions show the speaker praising some people and criticizing others, revealing the speaker's bias.

• The speaker criticizes all of the local people, implying that the speaker disagrees with the rebellion that they led.

• The speaker laments these people's potential, which they now will never fulfill, suggesting that the speaker is sympathetic to their plight.

• The descriptions include both criticism and praise, implying that the speaker is conflicted in his feelings toward the uprising as both noble and futile.

Which TWO phrases from the stanza best support the answer to Part A?

• So daring and sweet

• terrible beauty

• coming into his force

• drunken, vainglorious lout

• voice grew shrill

How does the pastoral scene in stanza 3 impact the rest of the poem?

• It offsets the serious and modern industrial tone set in the beginning of the poem.

• It suggests that life in nature goes on despite the actions of humanity.

• It serves as a metaphor for the uprising's leaders' dedication, symbolized as the stone, which remains – though still and futile – while life moves on around it.

• It suggests a chance for rebirth for the Irish state and for Irish nationalism, even in the aftermath of the Easter Rising.