THE POEM---LOCHINVAR

LOCHINVAR

 “O young Lochinvar .................................... There never was knight like the young

Lochinvar.”

Q1 What is being told to the reader about Lochinvar in the six lines of the first stanza? What image of Lochinvar is created before us?

Lochinvar came from the west. His horse was the best in the land. Except for his sword he had no weapons. He was alone and unarmed. He was faithful in love and fearless in the matters of war .He was a brave knight.

Q2 Where do you think Lochinvar was going? Why do you think so?

To win his true love. For a line in the poem says ‘So faithful in love and dauntless in war.............

Q3 How do you know that Lochinvar was bent on achieving whatever he was aiming at?

Lochinvar did not take any breaks. No stones or obstacles could stop him in his way. The Eske river did not have any shallow areas which would make crossing the river easier. However, Lochinvar with all his might even swam the deep Eske river.

Q4 Where does Lochinvar finally alight? What had happened by the time he had arrived?

He alighted at the gate of Netherby. By the time he had arrived the bride Ellen had consented to marry another man, who was a dastard/coward in war and a laggard/lags behind in love.

“So boldly he enter’d...........Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar?”(pg 11)

Q5  Was the bride’s father pleased at Lochinvar’s arrival? How do you know this?

No. He was not pleased. When he was questioning Lochinvar he had his hand on his sword.

Q6 What did the bride’s father ask Lochinvar?

He asked whether Lochinvar had come there in peace or to fight or to have a dance during the wedding.

“I long woo’d your daughter......That would gladly be bride to the young Lochinvar.”(pg 11)

Q7 What did Lochinvar tell Ellen’s father regarding his entry at Netherby?

He said that he had proposed Ellen however Ellen’s father had denied his suit. A love which was not encouraged would soon die down. He had now come to have a dance and drink a cup of wine at Ellen’s wedding. He also added that there are many suitable maidens in Scotland who would gladly be his bride.

“The bride kiss’d the goblet/wine glass......Now tread we a measure!” said young Lochinvar”(pg 11)

Q8 What did lochinvar do in the above lines?

Lochinvar quickly drank the wine and threw the cup down. Ellen was filled with emotions. She had a smile on her lips and she was blushing. Before her mother could stop Lochinvar he asked her for a dance.

Q9 Do you think Lochinvar came with a plan in mind? Why do you think so?

Yes, Lochinvar did come with a plan in his mind and that was to elope with the fair Ellen. It is only someone who was determined to acheive something , would think of overcoming all the obstacles in his way like the way Lochinvar did.

(a) Brave, fearless, true lover

 (b) For a laggard in love and a dastard in war. The bridegroom was slow in love

and wicked and cruel when it came to war.

 (c) Lochinvar answers that his suit was denied and now he has come only for a

dance.

 (d) Lochinvar did not want anyone else to know about his plans.

“So stately his form .................................... To have match’d our fair cousin with young Lochinvar.”(pg. 11)

Q10 Why did the bride-maidens feel Lochinvar was a better match for Ellen?

The handsome Lochinvar and the beautiful Ellen made a lovely couple on the dance floor.

Q11  How did Ellen’s father and mother react?

Her mother fretted and father fumed.

“One touch to her hand...........They’ll have fleet steeds that follow,” quoth young

Lochinvar.”(Pg. 11-12)

Q12  what plan did lochinvar execute?

Lochinvar whispers into Ellen’s ears. As they reach the hall door a horse was waiting for them. He swung Ellen onto the horse and rode away with her. Young Lochinvar knew they would be followed by the horses and the kinsmen.

There was mounting.........gallant like young Lochinvar?(pg.12)

Q 13 explain the above lines?

The men of Netherby mounted their horses. They raced and chased the couple. But no one could spot them far and wide.