The Shepherd
William Blake (1757-1827)
How sweet is the shepherd’s sweet lot!
From the morn to the evening he strays;
He shall follow his sheep all the day,
And his tongue shall be filled with praise.
For he hears the lambs’ innocent call,
And he hears the ewes’ tender reply;
He is watchful while they are in peace,
For they know when their shepherd is nigh.
Theme:
Ans. Here in this poem the Shepherd stands for God and the sheep represent human beings. So the poem implies the happiness and security of human beings under the blessings of God. It also shows the enjoyments and happiness of God in innocence of his creations. Write down the theme of the following poem
Paraphrasing
How sweet is the shepherd’s sweet lot!
The shepherd’s life is very peaceful, simple, and full of happiness. His job seems like a pleasant and fulfilling one, and he enjoys every part of it.
From the morn to the evening he strays;
From early morning until the end of the day, the shepherd spends his time walking around, guiding his sheep. He moves freely through the countryside, spending all his time with them.
He shall follow his sheep all the day,
Throughout the whole day, the shepherd’s job is to keep an eye on his sheep. He moves with them wherever they go and makes sure they stay safe and together.
And his tongue shall be filled with praise.
The shepherd is so content with his work that he speaks joyfully about his life. His heart is full of gratitude, and he praises the beauty of nature and the simple pleasures of his job.
For he hears the lambs’ innocent call,
The shepherd listens to the soft, innocent cries of the baby lambs. These sounds are pure and innocent, reflecting the peacefulness of nature.
And he hears the ewes’ tender reply;
He also hears the gentle responses of the mother sheep (ewes) as they call back to their lambs, creating a calm and loving atmosphere.
He is watchful while they are in peace,
Even though his sheep are calm and content, the shepherd remains vigilant. He keeps a close watch to make sure they are safe from any dangers or threats.
For they know when their shepherd is nigh.
The sheep are very familiar with the shepherd. They can sense when he is near, which makes them feel safe and secure. The shepherd’s presence reassures them, and they trust him completely.
Short Answer Questions
What is the shepherd’s life like?
The shepherd’s life is peaceful and fulfilling. He spends his day with his sheep, guiding and protecting them.
How long does the shepherd spend with his sheep?
The shepherd spends the whole day with his sheep, from morning to evening.
What does the shepherd do while watching over his sheep?
The shepherd ensures that his sheep are safe and listens to the innocent calls of the lambs and the tender replies from the ewes.
How does the shepherd feel about his job?
The shepherd feels content and joyful. He praises the peaceful life he leads and enjoys being surrounded by nature.
What is the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep?
The shepherd has a protective and caring relationship with his sheep. They trust him, and he watches over them with vigilance.
What do the sheep do when the shepherd is near?
The sheep feel safe and secure when the shepherd is near. They trust him and are calm in his presence.
What kind of sounds does the shepherd hear from the sheep?
The shepherd hears the innocent calls of the lambs and the tender responses from the ewes.
What is the role of the shepherd during the day?
The shepherd’s role is to guide, protect, and watch over his sheep as they move through the countryside.
How does the poem portray the shepherd’s work?
The poem portrays the shepherd’s work as peaceful, fulfilling, and full of love and care. It highlights the shepherd’s connection to nature and his sheep.
What is the tone of the poem?
The tone of the poem is calm, serene, and joyful. It conveys a sense of contentment and harmony with nature.
Multiple-choice questions based on the text:
What is the shepherd’s main activity in the poem?
A) Farming
B) Watching over his sheep
C) Hunting
D) Playing music
Answer: B) Watching over his sheep
How does the shepherd feel about his job?
A) Tired
B) Bored
C) Content and joyful
D) Angry
Answer: C) Content and joyful
What do the sheep do when the shepherd is near?
A) Run away
B) Feel safe and calm
C) Cry loudly
D) Wander off
Answer: B) Feel safe and calm
What does the shepherd hear from the lambs?
A) Loud cries
B) Innocent calls
C) Singing
D) Complaints
Answer: B) Innocent calls
What is the tone of the poem?
A) Angry and tense
B) Calm and serene
C) Sad and melancholy
D) Nervous and fearful
Answer: B) Calm and serene
What is the shepherd’s role?
A) To entertain the sheep
B) To protect and guide the sheep
C) To lead the sheep in battles
D) To keep the sheep in a barn
Answer: B) To protect and guide the sheep
What do the ewes do in the poem?
A) Run away from the shepherd
B) Tenderly reply to the lambs
C) Ignore the shepherd
D) Sing loudly
Answer: B) Tenderly reply to the lambs
What does the shepherd’s tongue “filled with praise” suggest?
A) The shepherd is sad
B) The shepherd is angry
C) The shepherd is joyful and content
D) The shepherd is singing
Answer: C) The shepherd is joyful and content
What is the shepherd’s relationship with the sheep in the poem?
A) A distant and unloving one
B) Protective and caring
C) Indifferent
D) Hostile
Answer: B) Protective and caring
What does the poem suggest about the shepherd’s life?
A) It is stressful and busy
B) It is simple and peaceful
C) It is lonely
D) It is full of excitement
Answer: B) It is simple and peaceful
Summary:
This poem is a simple yet beautiful portrayal of the shepherd’s life. The shepherd’s life revolves around the care and safety of his sheep, and he finds contentment and joy in this peaceful, repetitive work. He is surrounded by nature and has a strong connection with his sheep. The poem emphasizes the purity and innocence of the shepherd’s existence, suggesting a harmonious relationship between him and the animals he tends to. The shepherd’s watchful nature and the trust the sheep place in him create a sense of calm and peace in their world. This connection between the shepherd and his flock represents a loving, protective bond.
Theme:
The theme of The Shepherd by William Blake is about the peaceful and fulfilling life of a shepherd. It explores themes of care, responsibility, and the connection between humans and nature. The shepherd’s role is one of protection, and his life is portrayed as simple but rich in joy, love, and tranquility.
Bangla Translation (Summary)
এই কবিতাটি রাখালের জীবনের একটি সরল কিন্তু সুন্দর চিত্রায়ন। রাখালের জীবন তার ভেড়ার যত্ন এবং সুরক্ষার চারপাশে আবর্তিত হয় এবং এই শান্তিপূর্ণ, পুনরাবৃত্তিমূলক কাজে সে তৃপ্তি এবং আনন্দ খুঁজে পায়। সে প্রকৃতি দ্বারা বেষ্টিত এবং তার ভেড়ার সাথে একটি দৃঢ় সংযোগ রয়েছে। কবিতাটি রাখালের অস্তিত্বের বিশুদ্ধতা এবং নির্দোষতার উপর জোর দেয়, যা তার এবং তার যত্ন নেওয়া প্রাণীদের মধ্যে একটি সুরেলা সম্পর্কের ইঙ্গিত দেয়। রাখালের সতর্ক স্বভাব এবং তার উপর ভেড়ার আস্থা তাদের জগতে প্রশান্তি এবং শান্তির অনুভূতি তৈরি করে। রাখাল এবং তার পালের মধ্যে এই সংযোগ একটি প্রেমময়, প্রতিরক্ষামূলক বন্ধনের প্রতিনিধিত্ব করে।
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