CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew Chapter 17: When I Set Out For Lyonnesse NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Honeydew, Chapter 17, the poem 'When I Set Out For Lyonnesse'. It breaks down the poem's stanzas to help students understand its imagery, themes, and the poet's journey. The solutions focus on interpreting specific lines and words that convey the atmosphere, the traveler's solitude, and the mysterious nature of the destination. By analyzing the poem's nuances, students can deepen their comprehension and appreciation of poetic expression. These solutions are designed to aid students in their exam preparation, offering clear explanations for each question.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 8
SubjectEnglish Honeydew
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 17

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 8 English Honeydew, Chapter 17, 'When I Set Out For Lyonnesse', focuses on analyzing the poem's evocative language and imagery. It guides students through understanding the poem's depiction of a cold, late evening journey, the traveler's isolation, and the mysterious, unforeseeable events at Lyonnesse. The solutions help students identify specific lines that reveal the atmosphere and the reactions of others, enhancing their literary comprehension skills for this specific poem.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the imagery used to describe a cold, late evening.
  • Identify words and phrases indicating the traveler's solitude.
  • Interpret lines that suggest an improbable or unforeseeable event.
  • Analyze how the poem conveys mystery and unspoken observations.
  • Connect specific lines of the poem to their implied meanings.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Poem Analysis
  • Imagery in Poetry
  • Vocabulary Interpretation
  • Traveler's Solitude
  • Unforeseeable Events
  • Poetic Devices
  • Stanza Interpretation
  • Rhyme and Meter (implied)
  • Figurative Language
  • Literary Comprehension

Important topics

  • Interpreting 'rime' and 'starlight' for cold and late evening
  • Understanding 'lonesomeness' for solitude
  • Defining 'unforeseeable' events
  • Analyzing 'mute surmise' and 'radiance rare'
  • Connecting poem lines to their meanings

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

In the first stanza of the poem 'When I Set Out For Lyonnesse', find words that show:

(i) that it was very cold.

(ii) that it was late evening.

(iii) that the traveller was alone.

Solution:

The first stanza uses specific words to create a vivid picture of the traveler's journey:

(i) The word 'rime', which refers to frost, clearly indicates that the weather was very cold.

(ii) The mention of 'starlight' suggests that it was late evening or night, as stars are most visible after sunset.

(iii) The word 'lonesomeness' directly conveys that the traveller was alone on this journey.

Question 2

Something happened at Lyonnesse. It was:

(a) improbable

(b) impossible

(c) unforeseeable

Pick out two lines from stanza 2 to justify your answer.

Solution:

(i) The event that happened at Lyonnesse was (c) unforeseeable.

(ii) The two lines from stanza 2 that justify this answer are:

'No prophet durst declare; Nor did the wisest wizard guess'

These lines emphasize that the event was so unexpected that neither a prophet nor a wizard, who are often depicted as having foresight, could have predicted it.

Question 3

Read the lines from the poem that imply the following:

(i) 'Everyone noticed something, and they made guesses, but didn't speak a word'.

(ii) Now read the line that refers to what they noticed.

Solution:

(i) The line that implies everyone noticed something and made guesses without speaking is: 'All marked with mute surmise'. This phrase captures the idea of silent observation and unspoken conjecture.

(ii) The line that refers to what they noticed is: 'My radiance rare and fathomless'. This suggests that the traveler possessed an unusual and profound quality or appearance that drew the attention of others.

Common mistakes

  • Misinterpreting words related to weather and time.
  • Failing to identify lines that explicitly show solitude.
  • Confusing 'improbable' with 'impossible' or 'unforeseeable'.
  • Overlooking the significance of 'mute surmise' and 'radiance rare'.

Revision tips

  • Reread the poem carefully, paying attention to descriptive words.
  • Focus on the specific lines mentioned in the solutions for justification.
  • Practice identifying poetic devices like imagery and personification.
  • Summarize the mood and events of each stanza in your own words.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which word in the first stanza suggests that the traveler was alone?

Q2. What kind of event happened at Lyonnesse, according to the poem?

Q3. Which phrase implies that people noticed something unusual about the traveler but did not speak about it?

Q4. What did people notice about the traveler, as suggested by the poem?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the poem 'When I Set Out For Lyonnesse'?

The poem explores a mysterious journey to Lyonnesse, focusing on the atmosphere of a cold, late evening, the traveler's solitude, and the sense of an unusual, unforeseeable event or presence associated with the destination.

How do the NCERT Solutions help students understand the poem?

The solutions break down each question, providing clear explanations for word meanings, line interpretations, and thematic elements, helping students grasp the poem's nuances and answer comprehension questions effectively.

What does 'mute surmise' mean in the context of the poem?

'Mute surmise' refers to the act of observing something with silent guesswork or conjecture. In the poem, it suggests that people noticed something about the traveler but did not voice their thoughts or guesses aloud.

Which words in the first stanza indicate the cold weather?

The word 'rime', which refers to frost, is used in the first stanza to indicate that the weather was very cold.

What is the significance of 'radiance rare and fathomless'?

This phrase suggests that the traveler possessed an extraordinary, deep, and perhaps mystical quality or glow that others noticed, contributing to the poem's sense of mystery.

Important links

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