AP Success - AP English Literature: Sailing to Byzantium
I
That is no country for old men. The young In one another's arms, birds in the trees, —Those dying generations—at their song, The salmon-falls, the mackerel-crowded seas, Fish, flesh, or fowl, commend all summer long Whatever is begotten, born, and dies. Caught in that sensual music all neglect Monuments of unageing intellect.
II
An aged man is but a paltry thing, A tattered coat upon a stick, unless Soul clap its hands and sing, and louder sing For every tatter in its mortal dress, Nor is there singing school but studying Monuments of its own magnificence; And therefore I have sailed the seas and come To the holy city of Byzantium.
III
O sages standing in God's holy fire As in the gold mosaic of a wall, Come from the holy fire, perne in a gyre, And be the singing-masters of my soul. Consume my heart away; sick with desire And fastened to a dying animal It knows not what it is; and gather me Into the artifice of eternity.
IV
Once out of nature I shall never take My bodily form from any natural thing, But such a form as Grecian goldsmiths make Of hammered gold and gold enamelling To keep a drowsy Emperor awake; Or set upon a golden bough to sing To lords and ladies of Byzantium Of what is past, or passing, or to come.
"Sailing to Byzantium" by William Butler Yeats
Question 1
The phrase "no country for old men" (line 3) most likely suggests that the country mentioned is:
physically challenging for the elderly to navigate
unwelcoming or inhospitable to the aged
a place where youthfulness is celebrated or idealized
lacking in resources or facilities for older people
a metaphorical country, representing a state of mind or being
Question 2
In line 9, the term "sensual music" could best be interpreted to mean:
Actual music that appeals to the senses
The natural sounds of the environment that seem musically alluring
The tempting aspects of youthful experiences
A specific genre of music popular among the young
The rhythm and flow of life that captivates the young
Question 3
The "monuments of unageing intellect" (line 10) most likely symbolize:
Historical landmarks
Artistic or intellectual achievements that withstand the test of time
Memories that do not fade with age
Physical structures built to honor the elderly
The wisdom that comes with age, contrasting with the physical decline
Question 4
In lines 15-22, the speaker seems to imply that the "aged man" can gain vitality and purpose through:
Physical rejuvenation
Intellectual pursuits
Emotional or spiritual expression
Interaction with the young
Travel and exploration
Question 5
The repeated reference to Byzantium (line 22) is significant because it:
Represents a place of intellectual and artistic achievement
Suggests a historical context for the poem
Implies a journey or pilgrimage the speaker intends to undertake
Symbolizes a retreat from the sensual world
Highlights the speaker's fascination with ancient civilizations
Question 6
The phrase "sick with desire" (line 31) most directly suggests that the speaker:
Is physically ill
Longs for a transformation or escape
Is overwhelmed by the beauty of nature
Desires to return to youth
Feels a strong romantic or sexual attraction
Question 7
In the context of stanza III, the "sages standing in God's holy fire" (line 27) are likely invoked to:
Imply a judgment or punishment
Represent wisdom and enlightenment
Symbolize destruction and renewal
Indicate a ceremony or ritual
Suggest a divine or supernatural presence
Question 8
The "artifice of eternity" (line 34) in the final line of stanza III suggests that the speaker desires:
To create a lasting work of art
To find a way to live forever
To understand the concept of eternity
To escape the natural cycle of life and death
To achieve a state of timelessness through spiritual means
Question 9
In stanza IV, the comparison of the speaker's future form to a Grecian goldsmith's creation (lines 41-42) implies a desire for:
Wealth and opulence
Permanence and beauty
Artistic recognition
Connection to classical heritage
Transformation into an object of art
Question 10
The overall tone of the poem can best be described as:
Nostalgic and sentimental
Reflective and contemplative
Urgent and desperate
Joyful and celebratory
Resigned and melancholic
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