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.

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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

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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

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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

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

• Boastful

• Humble

• Generous

• Timid

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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