What imagery does the poet use to delineate summer’s day more picturesquely than any painter could?
The poet uses the imagery of psaltery to delineate the summer’s day more picturesquely than a painter could. The insects humming, the chirping birds and the wind playing through the leaves- all give a musical beauty to this perfect summer day. The splendid display of flowers and clouds along with the mesmerising scents of flower adds to this perfect day’s charm.
What do you understand by ‘Psalteries of summer’?
The poet uses the metaphor of ‘Psalteries of summer’ to describe the extraordinary musical charms of a perfect summer day. The poet is captivated by the natural music which comes from the chirping birds, the rapid beating of wings by bees and gnats and the sound of wind flowing through the air and trees.
In which lines are creatures attributed with human qualities? How does this add to the beauty of the summer’s day?
In the following lines the creatures are attributed with human qualities:-
“There seemed to rise a tune
From Miniature Creatures“
Here in the lines, the poet refers to creatures like bees and gnats as ‘Miniature Creatures’, who with their humming and beating of wings fill the air with a satisfying tone of music.
How would you explain the image of the ‘Hindered Flags’?
The poet uses the image of the ‘Hindered Flags’ to depict the elegance with which the flowers stand on their stems with petals full of fragrance. It is as if embattled troops have hoisted their flags up.
Why are the pronouns referring to the Sun capitalised?
The pronouns referring to the Sun are capitalised because the poet personifies it as a monarch. The grandeur of the sun is enhanced here. The sun sometimes shines ‘Whole’, while at times it is ‘half’ or ‘utter hid’ and has ‘Estates of Cloud’ to protect him from the mortal gaze.
You came across ‘dulcimer’ in the poem ‘Kubla Khan’. Did you note down ‘Psaltery’ as another musical instrument? They are very similar. Look up the illustrations for the two in an illustrated dictionary. Find out in what ways they are different from one another.
Dulcimer and Psaltery are both stringed musical instruments who belong to the Zither family. Both these instruments vary in there shapes and sizes. A Psaltery is generally triangular, rectangular or wing-shaped with plucked stings across a flat sound board while A Dulcimer has three or four fretted strings and is generally diatonic.