PSEB Class 10 English Poem 2 Death the Leveller Important Question Answers from English Main Course Book
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PSEB Class 10 English Poem 2 Death the Leveller Textbook Questions
1. What is the theme or the central idea of the poem?
Ans: Death is the great equalizer that treats everyone equally regardless of status, wealth, or power. All earthly glory and achievements are temporary “shadows” that vanish at death. The sceptre and crown must tumble down and become equal with the poor man’s scythe and spade in the dust. However, only the virtuous actions of just people survive death and continue to “smell sweet and blossom.” The poem warns against human pride and emphasizes that moral goodness is the only lasting legacy.
2. Write the summary of the poem in your own words.
Ans: The poem declares that all glories from noble birth and high status are mere shadows without real substance. No armor can protect against death, which places its icy hand even on kings. Royal symbols like the sceptre and crown must fall into the dust and become equal with the poor farmer’s tools.
Warriors who kill in battle and win victories must also eventually surrender to death. They conquer each other but cannot conquer death itself. Early or late, all must bow to fate and become pale captives creeping toward death.
The final stanza warns people not to boast of mighty deeds because victory garlands wither. On death’s purple altar, both victor and victim bleed equally. Everyone must go to the cold tomb. Only the actions of just people create a lasting legacy, their good deeds smell sweet and blossom even after death.
3. What lesson do you get from this poem?
Ans: The poem teaches us to be humble rather than proud of our achievements, wealth, or status because death makes everything equal. All humans are fundamentally the same, we all face the same inevitable fate. We should not attach importance to material success, power, or glory as these are temporary illusions that vanish at death.
The only thing that survives death is the memory of good deeds and virtuous actions. Therefore, we should focus on living righteously, being just, kind, and compassionate rather than pursuing power or boasting of achievements. Only moral goodness creates lasting value beyond death.
4. What does the expression ‘scythe and spade’ stand for in line 8?
Ans: “Scythe and spade” symbolically represent common people, particularly poor farmers and laborers. A scythe is a tool for cutting grain and a spade is for digging, both are simple, humble tools used by the working class.
The poet contrasts these with “Sceptre and Crown” (symbols of royal power) to show death’s equalizing power. In death, there is no difference between the highest king and the lowest peasant, both become equal in the dust. This emphasizes that social status is meaningless in death’s eyes.
5. Do the conquerors tame death or the dead?
Ans: Conquerors tame neither death nor the dead, they only tame “one another still,” meaning they conquer fellow human beings in battle.
Despite their military might and physical strength, warriors cannot conquer or control death itself. They may defeat other humans, but they must eventually surrender to death, becoming “pale captives” who creep to death. This shows the futility of military conquest, death conquers the conquerors. No matter how many battles you win, death wins the final battle.
6. Explain the lines “Only the actions of the just / Smell sweet and blossom in their dust”.
Ans: These lines mean that only the good deeds of virtuous, righteous people survive death. While the physical body decays to dust, moral actions continue to “smell sweet” (create pleasant memories and positive legacy) and “blossom” (grow, flourish, continue influencing others).
This is a paradox: while physical things die and decay, virtue actually grows after death. Good deeds are like seeds planted in soil that bloom into flowers, they create lasting positive impact. This is the only true immortality, not physical survival but moral and spiritual legacy. The lines teach that we should focus on being virtuous since only goodness has permanent value beyond death.
7. Write true or false against the following sentences:
(a) There is no armour against fate.
(b) Death spares the mighty but punishes the weak.
(c) Death can even kill good deeds.
(d) Death lays his icy hand on kings.
Ans.
(a) True
(b) False (Death treats everyone equally; it does not spare anyone)
(c): False (Only the actions of the just survive death)
(d): True
8. This poem highlights the uselessness of human power and might. What is that which cannot be snatched by death?
Ans: The virtuous actions and good deeds of just people cannot be snatched by death. While death destroys all physical things, wealth, power, status, achievements, and the body itself, it cannot destroy moral goodness.
Good deeds create a lasting legacy that continues to “smell sweet and blossom” even after physical death. The positive influence of just actions, the memories of kindness and righteousness, and the moral example set by virtuous people survive and even flourish after death. This is the only form of immortality available to humans, spiritual and moral immortality through righteous living.
9. Read John Donne’s poem ‘Death, Be not Proud’ and compare the two poems.
Ans: Both poems address death but with different approaches:
Similarities:
Both challenge death’s ultimate power
Both use personification of death
Both suggest something survives death
Both belong to metaphysical poetry tradition
Differences:
Shirley’s “Death the Leveller”:
Accepts death’s physical power over everyone
Emphasizes death as the great equalizer
Focuses on moral immortality, virtue survives death
Solemn, warning tone
Message: Live humbly and virtuously; only good deeds survive
Donne’s “Death, Be not Proud”:
Denies death’s power entirely
Calls death weak, a slave to fate
Focuses on spiritual immortality, Christian resurrection
Defiant, mocking tone
Message: Don’t fear death; it will die when believers wake to eternal life
Punjab Board Class 10 English Poem 2 Death the Leveller Extra Question and Answers
Extract-Based questions
A
“The glories of our blood and state
Are shadows, not substantial things;
There is no armour against Fate;
Death lays his icy hand on kings:”
Q1. What does “glories of our blood and state” mean?
Ans. It means the honors and pride we get from noble birth (blood) and high social position (state). All that fancy heritage, royal lineage, prestigious family name, that’s what he’s talking about. The things people brag about at parties.
Q2. Why are these glories called “shadows”?
Ans. Because they’re not real, not substantial. Shadows look impressive but you can’t hold them, they’re illusions without actual substance. Birth and status appear important but lack true reality. They’re temporary, insubstantial, meaningless ultimately. Just like shadows disappear when light changes, these glories vanish at death.
Q3. What does “no armour against Fate” mean?
Ans. No protection exists that can save you from death and destiny. You can wear the strongest armor in battle, build the highest walls, hire the best guards, none of it matters. Fate and Death get through every defense. Nobody’s protected, nobody’s safe. That’s the terrifying truth.
Q4. What is significant about death laying hands “on kings”?
Ans. If death can touch kings, the most powerful, protected, privileged people, then it can touch anyone. That’s the point. Kings should be untouchable, right? They have armies, wealth, power. But death’s “icy hand” reaches even them. If kings aren’t safe, nobody is. That emphasizes death’s absolute power.
Q5. Why describe death’s hand as “icy”?
Ans. Because death is cold, lifeless, freezing. “Icy” creates a physical, sensory image, you can almost feel that cold touch. It suggests death drains warmth and life, leaving only coldness. Also, ice is hard, unfeeling, merciless. Perfect description of death’s nature.
B
“Some men with swords may reap the field,
And plant fresh laurels where they kill:
But their strong nerves at last must yield;
They tame but one another still:”
Q1. What does “reap the field” mean in this context?
Ans. Killing people in battle, like harvesting crops. “Reap” normally means cutting grain with a scythe. Here it’s a brutal metaphor, warriors cutting down enemies like wheat. The battlefield becomes a harvest field, and human lives are the crop. Disturbing but powerful imagery.
Q2. What are “fresh laurels” and why do warriors “plant” them?
Ans. Laurels are victory wreaths, symbols of triumph given to Roman generals. “Planting” them means achieving new victories wherever they fight. Every battlefield becomes a place of honor for them. But it’s ironic, they’re planting symbols of life (laurels) where they’re causing death. Dark irony there.
Q3. What does “strong nerves must yield” mean?
Ans. Even the strongest warriors, with all their physical power and courage, must eventually surrender to death. “Nerves” means strength, muscles, military might. “Yield” means give in, submit, surrender. No matter how powerful you are, death makes you submit. Strength is useless against mortality.
Q4. Explain “they tame but one another still.”
Ans. Warriors can only conquer other humans, not death itself. “But” means “only”, they’re still just taming each other, nothing more. They defeat fellow humans in battle but can’t defeat death. That’s the limitation. All their conquests are meaningless because death conquers them ultimately. Only humans taming humans, while death tames everyone.
Q5. What irony exists in this stanza?
Ans. The irony is that conquerors who make others bow become prisoners themselves. Those who inspire fear end up “pale captives” who “creep to death” in fear. The mighty warriors who cut down others get cut down by death. They think they’re powerful, but they’re just as helpless as everyone else. That’s deeply ironic.
C
“The garlands wither on your brow;
Then boast no more your mighty deeds!
Upon Death’s purple altar now
See where the victor-victim bleeds.”
Q1. What happens to the garlands and why?
Ans. The victory wreaths on the head wither, fade, die. Because all honors are temporary, they don’t last. Even as you’re celebrating victory, your achievements are already fading. Time kills glory just like it kills everything. Those garlands represent all your accomplishments turning to dust.
Q2. Why does the poet command “boast no more”?
Ans. Because boasting about achievements is pointless when death makes everything meaningless. You’re bragging about mighty deeds that won’t matter in the grave. Pride in accomplishments is foolish since death equalizes everyone. Stop the arrogant boasting, it’s ridiculous given mortality’s reality. Humility, not pride, makes sense.
Q3. What does “Death’s purple altar” symbolize?
Ans. Death’s sacrificial platform where everyone becomes a victim. Purple symbolizes both royalty (power) and blood (violence). The altar image suggests death as a god demanding sacrifice, and everyone gets sacrificed. It’s where all humans, powerful or weak, end up bleeding and dying. Death’s temple where all are offered up.
Q4. Explain the paradox of “victor-victim.”
Ans. The conqueror becomes a victim, that’s the paradox. You win all your battles but lose to death. Victor and victim merge into one because death makes no distinction. On death’s altar, the person who conquered others gets conquered. Winner becomes loser. That compound word captures life’s ultimate irony perfectly.
Q5. What is the tone of this stanza?
Ans. Warning, commanding, almost angry. The poet’s basically saying “Stop being so proud, you fools! Can’t you see death makes your boasting ridiculous?” There’s urgency here, frustration at human arrogance. He’s trying to wake people up to mortality’s reality. Harsh but necessary truth-telling. The tone demands attention.
D
“Your heads must come
To the cold tomb:
Only the actions of the just
Smell sweet and blossom in their dust.”
Q1. What does “heads must come / To the cold tomb” emphasize?
Ans. The inevitability and universality of death. “Must” shows it’s not optional, you will die, no choice. “Heads” represents the whole person, especially the thinking, proud part. “Cold tomb” emphasizes death’s harsh, unfeeling nature. Everyone’s head, no matter how crowned or honored, ends up in the same cold grave. No exceptions, no escape.
Q2. Why are only “actions of the just” mentioned?
Ans. Because they’re the only things that survive death. Not wealth, not power, not victories, only moral goodness endures. “Just” means righteous, virtuous, good. Their actions alone have lasting value. Everything else death destroys. That’s the poem’s one hopeful message among all the darkness.
Q3. What does “smell sweet” suggest?
Ans. Good deeds leave a pleasant memory, a positive legacy. Like flowers leaving sweet fragrance even after they’re cut. Virtuous people are remembered fondly, their goodness creates lasting good feelings. “Sweet” suggests something desirable, pleasant, cherished. Opposite of the bitter memory bad people leave behind.
Q4. How can actions “blossom in their dust”?
Ans. That’s the beautiful paradox. While the body decays to dust, good deeds actually grow and flourish. Like seeds planted in ground that bloom into flowers. The physical dies but the moral lives and expands. Virtue planted in life keeps blooming after death, spreading goodness. Growth from decay, that’s transformation, not ending.
Q5. How does this stanza provide hope?
Ans. After showing death destroys everything physical, it reveals one exception, moral goodness survives. That’s hope. You can achieve immortality through virtue even though physical immortality is impossible. Your good deeds outlive you, continuing to influence and inspire. Death doesn’t get total victory after all. Something precious remains. That’s genuinely hopeful.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. “Death the Leveller” was written by ________.
A. John Donne
B. James Shirley
C. William Shakespeare
D. John Milton
Ans. B. James Shirley
2. James Shirley was born in ________.
A. 1586
B. 1596
C. 1606
D. 1616
Ans. B. 1596
3. Shirley was primarily known for writing ________.
A. novels
B. poems
C. plays
D. essays
Ans. C. plays
4. Shirley wrote approximately ________ plays.
A. twenty
B. thirty
C. forty
D. fifty
Ans. C. forty
5. The glories of blood and state are called ________.
A. real things
B. shadows
C. treasures
D. blessings
Ans. B. shadows
6. According to the poem, there is no ________ against fate.
A. prayer
B. hope
C. armour
D. escape
Ans. C. armour
7. Death lays his ________ hand on kings.
A. warm
B. gentle
C. icy
D. golden
Ans. C. icy
8. The Sceptre and Crown must ________ down.
A. fall
B. tumble
C. break
D. crash
Ans. B. tumble
9. In the dust, kings become equal with ________.
A. nobles
B. warriors
C. scythe and spade
D. merchants
Ans. C. scythe and spade
10. Warriors “reap the field” with ________.
A. plows
B. swords
C. arrows
D. spears
Ans. B. swords
11. “Laurels” symbolize ________.
A. peace
B. victory
C. love
D. wisdom
Ans. B. victory
12. Even strong ________ must eventually yield.
A. hearts
B. minds
C. nerves
D. bones
Ans. C. nerves
13. Warriors “tame but ________ still.”
A. death
B. fate
C. one another
D. themselves
Ans. C. one another
14. Early or late, all must ________ to fate.
A. bow
B. stoop
C. kneel
D. submit
Ans. B. stoop
15. When dying, warriors become ________ captives.
A. brave
B. pale
C. dark
D. strong
Ans. B. pale
16. The garlands ________ on the brow.
A. bloom
B. shine
C. wither
D. glow
Ans. C. wither
17. Death’s altar is described as ________.
A. golden
B. purple
C. silver
D. white
Ans. B. purple
18. On death’s altar, the – bleeds.
A. king-queen
B. victor-victim
C. rich-poor
D. young-old
Ans. B. victor-victim
19. All heads must come to the ________ tomb.
A. dark
B. deep
C. cold
D. stone
Ans. C. cold
20. Only the actions of the ________ survive death.
A. brave
B. rich
C. just
D. powerful
Ans. C. just
21. Good actions ________ sweet after death.
A. taste
B. smell
C. sound
D. look
Ans. B. smell
22. Virtuous deeds ________ in the dust.
A. die
B. fade
C. blossom
D. disappear
Ans. C. blossom
23. The poem has ________ stanzas.
A. two
B. three
C. four
D. five
Ans. B. three
24. The rhyme scheme of each stanza is ________.
A. ABAB
B. AABB
C. ABABCCDD
D. ABCABC
Ans. C. ABABCCDD
25. The central theme is that death is a great ________.
A. mystery
B. leveller
C. conqueror
D. teacher
Ans. B. leveller
True or False
State whether the following statements are true or false
- James Shirley was born in London in 1596.
- Shirley worked as a lawyer most of his life.
- The glories of blood and state are substantial things.
- There is no armour against Fate.
- Death spares kings from his icy hand.
- The Sceptre and Crown must tumble down.
- In death, kings remain superior to common people.
- Warriors can conquer death with their strength.
- All must eventually stoop to fate.
- Warriors become pale captives when approaching death.
- Garlands remain fresh on the victor’s brow forever.
- Death’s altar is described as purple.
- The victor becomes a victim on death’s altar.
- Everyone’s head must come to the cold tomb.
- Only the actions of the just smell sweet and blossom in their dust.
Answers
- True
- False (He worked as a schoolmaster)
- False (They are shadows, not substantial things)
- True
- False (Death lays his icy hand on kings too)
- True
- False (In the dust, they are made equal with the poor)
- False (Their strong nerves must yield; they cannot conquer death)
- True
- True
- False (The garlands wither on the brow)
- True
- True
- True
- True
Fill in the Blanks
- James Shirley was born in ________.
- The glories of blood and state are ________, not substantial things.
- There is no ________ against Fate.
- Death lays his ________ hand on kings.
- The ________ and Crown must tumble down.
- In the dust, royalty becomes equal with the poor crooked ________ and spade.
- Some men with ________ may reap the field.
- Warriors plant fresh ________ where they kill.
- Their strong ________ at last must yield.
- They tame but ________ ________ still.
- Early or ________, they stoop to fate.
- They become ________ captives who creep to death.
- The ________ wither on your brow.
- Death’s ________ altar is where the victor-victim bleeds.
- Your heads must come to the ________ tomb.
- Only the actions of the ________ smell sweet.
- Good deeds ________ in their dust.
- The poem is divided into ________ stanzas.
- Each stanza has ________ lines.
- Death is called the great ________.
Answers
- 1596 / London
- shadows
- armour
- icy
- Sceptre
- scythe
- swords
- laurels
- nerves
- one another
- late
- pale
- garlands
- purple
- cold
- just
- blossom
- three
- eight
- leveller
Extra Questions
Answer the following Questions-
1. What is the main message of “Death the Leveller”?
Ans. Death treats everyone equally regardless of status, wealth, or power, it is the great equalizer. All earthly glory and achievements are temporary shadows that vanish at death. Only virtuous actions and moral goodness create lasting value that survives mortality.
2. Why are glories called “shadows”?
Ans. Because they lack real substance and are temporary illusions. Like shadows that disappear when light changes, the glories of birth and social status vanish at death. They appear impressive but have no lasting reality or permanence.
3. What does “scythe and spade” represent?
Ans. These tools symbolize common laborers and poor farmers, the lowest social class. The poet contrasts them with royal symbols (Sceptre and Crown) to show that death makes all equal. In the grave, there’s no difference between king and peasant.
4. How does the poem describe warriors?
Ans. Warriors “reap the field” with swords and “plant fresh laurels” through victories, but their strength must eventually yield to death. Despite conquering others, they cannot conquer death and become “pale captives” who creep toward mortality. They tame only each other, never death itself.
5. What is meant by “victor-victim”?
Ans. This paradoxical term shows that conquerors become victims of death just like those they conquered. On death’s altar, there’s no distinction between winner and loser, both bleed equally. The victor in life becomes a victim in death.
6. What survives death according to the poem?
Ans. Only the actions of just and virtuous people survive death. While physical bodies decay to dust, good deeds continue to “smell sweet and blossom,” creating a lasting, positive legacy. Moral goodness is the only true immortality.
7. Why should humans not be proud?
Ans. Because all achievements, power, and glory are temporary and meaningless in death’s face. Death reduces everyone to dust equally regardless of their accomplishments. Pride in worldly success is foolish when mortality makes everything equal ultimately.
8. How does death “level” humanity?
Ans. Death makes no distinctions based on birth, wealth, power, or status, it treats kings and commoners identically. The Sceptre and Crown tumble down to become equal with the scythe and spade in the dust. Social hierarchies disappear completely in death.
9. What is the significance of “icy hand”?
Ans. “Icy hand” personifies death as cold, lifeless, and merciless. It creates a physical, sensory image of death’s touch that drains warmth and life. The coldness suggests death’s unfeeling, inevitable nature that touches even the most powerful kings.
10. What lesson does the poem teach about living?
Ans. Focus on virtue and just actions rather than pursuing power, wealth, or glory. Since only moral goodness survives death, we should live righteously and humbly. Avoid pride in achievements because death equalizes everything eventually.
11. Why can’t warriors conquer death?
Ans. Despite their strength and military might, warriors can only defeat other humans, not death itself. Their “strong nerves must yield” to mortality’s power. Death conquers the conquerors, making them helpless “pale captives.”
12. What happens to garlands in the poem?
Ans. Victory garlands wither and fade on the victor’s brow, symbolizing how all honors and achievements are temporary. Even at the moment of triumph, glory is already dying. This withering represents the transience of worldly success.
13. Why is death’s altar “purple”?
Ans. Purple symbolizes both royalty (power and status) and blood (violence and death). On this altar, both meanings merge, the royal and powerful bleed just like everyone else. Purple represents the meeting point of glory and mortality.
14. What is ironic about “murmuring breath”?
Ans. The “murmuring” (complaining, protesting) breath suggests warriors resist death reluctantly even though they faced it fearlessly in battle. Those who made others fear now fear themselves. The mighty die unwillingly, murmuring complaints about their fate.
15. How does the poem view worldly achievements?
Ans. All worldly achievements are temporary “shadows” without lasting substance or value. Military victories, royal power, and social status are meaningless in death’s face. The poem dismisses earthly accomplishments as vain illusions that death destroys completely.
16. What does “stoop to fate” mean?
Ans. It means bowing down and submitting to death and destiny. Everyone, regardless of power or pride, must eventually humble themselves before mortality. “Stoop” suggests forced submission, death makes the mighty bow low.
17. Why are warriors described as “pale captives”?
Ans. “Pale” suggests they’ve lost color and vitality, becoming ghostly in death’s approach. “Captives” shows they’re prisoners of mortality despite being conquerors in life. The description emphasizes their helplessness and fear before death’s power.
18. What contrast exists in stanza 1?
Ans. The stanza contrasts royal symbols (Sceptre and Crown) with peasant tools (scythe and spade). This juxtaposes the highest and lowest social positions to emphasize death’s equalizing power. Both end up equal in the same dust.
19. How does virtue “blossom” in dust?
Ans. While physical bodies decay, good deeds continue growing and flourishing after death. Like seeds planted in soil that bloom into flowers, virtuous actions create positive influence that expands. It’s growth from decay, transformation, not ending.
20. What is the poem’s tone?
Ans. The tone is solemn, serious, and warning. The poet speaks with authority and urgency, trying to humble the proud and wake people to mortality’s reality. There’s also hope in the final lines about virtue surviving death.