Read the following extract from Leigh Hunt's poem, 'The Glove and the Lions' and answer the questions that follow: And truly 'twas a gallant thing to see that crowning show, Valour and love, and a king above, and the royal beasts below.
Explain the following lines in your own words: (a) ‘smiling lips and sharp bright eyes which always seemed the same’ (b) ‘the occasion is divine’ (c) ‘Faith, gentlemen, we’re better here than there’
Topic: Explaining lines
Answer
(a) The lady wore a fixed expression — lips always smiling and eyes always keen and bright. The sameness suggests the smile was a mask rather than a feeling, hinting at the vanity beneath her beauty.
(b) The lady tells herself that this is the perfect opportunity, sent as if by heaven, to have her lover display his devotion publicly and win her admiration.
(c) King Francis remarks to the nobles that they are far safer up on the benches than down in the pit with the lions — a light comment that underlines how deadly the arena is.
"In your own words" means paraphrase plus significance — one mark each here, so give both. For (a), the examiner is looking for the suggestion of insincerity in "always seemed the same"; for (b) the self-serving use of "divine"; for (c) the king’s wry acknowledgement of the danger. Merely restating the line in simpler words scores half.