THE INCHCAPE ROCKROBERT SOUTHEY

The Abbot of Aberbrothokand over the waves its warning rung.

1. Which bell is referred to in the extract? Who placed it? Why?
2. What does the poet say about the weather in the beginning of the poem? What impact did it
have on the ship? How is the ship personified here?
3. For whom was the bell a blessing? How did it help them? Whom did they bless?
4. How does the poet present an atmosphere of joy in the poem?
The buoy of the inchcape bell was seen.rovers mirth was wickedness.
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What is the darker speck referred to? Who fixed his eye on it? Why?
Explain his heart was mirthfulwickedness.
Who was Sir Ralph? Why did he dislike the Abbot? What did he do to show his dislike?
Whom does Sir Ralph address just after this extract? What does he instruct them? Where does
he propose to go?

Down sank the bell for Scotlands shore.

1. How did the bell sink? In what tone did Sir Ralph speak while watching the bell sink? How
are his words ironic?
2. The sinking of the bell is described through sensuous images. Find out and explain these
images? Explain the symbolism in the sinking of the bell.
3. Where did Sir Ralph go after destroying the bell? How did he grow rich?
4. Do you believe that it was his destiny which brought him back to Scotland? How can you say
so? Explain.
On the deck the rover takes his standcould hear the inchcape bell.
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How is the weather described just before this extract? Explain in detail.
What did Sir Ralph say? Why did he say so? What aspect of his is shown here?
Why could anyone not hear anything? What were they regretting?
How had the bad conditions in the sea affect the ship? What shock did the mariners have?

Sir Ralph the Rover tore his hair.ringing his knell.

1. What had happened that made the rover tear his hair? Why did he curse himself?
2. Describe the manner in which the ship sank? Who was responsible for it? How?
3. Which dreadful sound did he hear? Why was it dreadful? What does the poet compare the
sound to?
4. Had you been in place of the rover what would have been your thoughts? What moral do you
learn from this poem?\