The Age Of Chivalry Poem (Content)

Unit 1 – Poem: The Age of Chivalry

Warm Up

Look at the pictures. Name the activities.

Discuss and Answer
1. What are the adventure activities of NCC?
2. When can you join the NCC?
3. What is the motto of NCC?

Think and Answer
1. Why do we need adventure in life?
2. Do you like adventures? Why?
3. Why does NCC conduct the adventure activities?

The Age of Chivalry

by George Krokos

Back in the days of old
when knights were bold
who with a sword or lance
in armour sought romance.

It was the age of chivalry
long ago in man’s history
when to fight for a righteous cause
one did gain considerable applause.

It was mainly for show, love and glory
they deemed themselves being worthy
to capture the heart of some fair maiden
which was the most desired prize laden.

Oh, they would strike heavy blows
on all of their opponents and foes
in a one to one combat defying death
as crowds watched with abated breath.

Yes, it was far back in those days of yore
that courage and strength came to the fore
where there was this life and death struggle;
such issues at hand the knights would juggle.

And in fighting for their country, faith and king
noble impressions on people’s minds would ring
that even through the ages are held in high esteem
those knights in shining armour do now all seem.

There are many legends based on their heroic exploits
a legacy of tales which have been told with much adroit
highlighting aspects of human wisdom related to virtue and vice
and the lessons to be learnt are those of goodness and sacrifice.

History usually repeats itself time and again
as it often happens a situation comes when
we’re asked to do something for a just cause
and acting with chivalry we shouldn’t pause.

About the Poet

George Krokos was born on 30th June, 1951 in Samos, Greece and now lives in Melbourne, Australia. He is an aspiring poet who has written quite a number of poems inspired by nature, science, philosophy and the spiritual aspects of life. He has studied eastern and western religions and associated philosophy for over 35 years and has practised various forms of yoga and meditation.

Glossary

• lance – a long weapon with a wooden shaft and a pointed steel head, formerly used by a horseman in charging.
• chivalry – the medieval knightly system with its religious, moral, and social code.
• abated – unpleasant
• impressions – feelings
• exploits – adventure
• adroit – clever or skilful

Read and Understand

A. Read the lines and answer the questions.

1. When to fight for a righteous cause
   one did gain considerable applause.
   a. When will one get an applause?

2. And in fighting for their country, faith and king
   noble impressions on people’s minds would ring
   a. What does ‘noble impression’ mean?
   b. Who can leave a noble impression?

3. There are many legends based on their heroic exploits
   a legacy of tales which have been told with much adroit
   a. What does ‘heroic exploits’ mean?
   b. What are legends?

B. Answer briefly.

1. What is an adventure?
2. Describe the appearance of a knight.
3. What are the characteristics of an adventure?

C. Think and Answer.

1. Why does the poet ask us to imagine that we have tiny wings on our back?
2. Why should we fight for righteous cause?

D. Literary Appreciation

1. Underline the rhyming words in each stanza.
2. Write down the alliterated words from the lines given below.
   i. in a one to one combat defying death
   ii. that courage and strength came to the fore

Creative Writing – Concrete Poems

Concrete poems are made up of words that have been placed in such a way that they make the shape of an object and also use words to describe the object.

Steps
1. Make a simple outline of the shape or object (an animal, a football, a fruit etc.) large enough to fill a piece of paper.
2. Brainstorm a minimum of ten words and phrases that describe the shape. List action and feeling words as well.
3. Place a piece of paper over the shape and decide where your words are going to be placed so that they outline not only your shape but also fit well together.
4. Separate words and phrases with commas.

E. Now read the poem and pick out the nouns. Then write your own concrete poem.

Practice Practice Exercises

1. What are the adventure activities of National Cadet Corps?

2. When can you join the National Cadet Corps?

3. What is the motto of National Cadet Corps?

1. Why do we need adventure in life? .

2. Do you like adventures? Why? .

3. Why does National Cadet Corps conduct the adventure activities? .

a. When will one get an applause?

a. What does ‘noble impression’ mean?

b. Who can leave a noble impression?

a. What does ‘heroic exploits’ mean?

b. What are legends?

1. What is an adventure?

2. Describe the appearance of a knight.

3. What are the characteristics of an adventure?

1. Why does the poet ask us to imagine that we have tiny wings on our back?

2. Why should we fight for righteous cause?

1. Underline the rhyming words in each stanza.

2. Write down the alliterated words from the lines given below.