Question

What does the phrase 'his honour'd Bones' indicate about the poet's attitude towards Shakespeare?

• A. surprising
• B. invisible
• C. unremarkable
• D. fascinating

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Parsing the Adjective 'Honour'd':
The word “honour'd” directly denotes deep veneration, prestige, and high esteem. By pairing this adjective with “Bones” (representing Shakespeare's physical remains), the poet establishes a respectful tone.

Step 2: Decoding the Poet's Literary Stance:
John Milton does not view Shakespeare merely as a historical writer who has passed away, but as an intellectual and creative giant. His attitude is one of absolute reverence, admiration, and awe.

Step 3: Synthesizing the Final Conclusion:
Therefore, the phrase indicates that Milton's attitude towards Shakespeare is one of profound veneration and deep artistic respect, viewing his memory as sacred.

Answer 2

Step 1: Identifying the Contrast Between Material and Intellectual Legacy:
Milton contrasts physical memorials (“piled Stones,” “Star-ypointing Pyramid”) with Shakespeare's literary creations.

Step 2: Evaluating the Concept of 'Hallowed Reliques':
The poet questions burying Shakespeare's “hallowed reliques” (his remains) because he believes that physical tombs are weak, static, and perishable monuments. They are completely inadequate for preserving the legacy of a dynamic, immortal genius.

Step 3: Formulating the Central Argument:
Milton questions this need because Shakespeare has already built himself a far superior, living monument in the minds and hearts of his readers, making material monuments redundant.

Answer 3

Step 1: Deconstructing the Compound Adjective:
The archaic phrase “Star-ypointing” literally translates to “pointing toward the stars” or “reaching up into the heavens.”

Step 2: Connecting to Historical Context:
A “Pyramid” represents the grandest, most labor-intensive physical tomb built by ancient civilizations (such as the Egyptians) to achieve physical immortality.

Step 3: Defining the Combined Metaphor:
Thus, a “Star-ypointing Pyramid” refers to a towering, majestic stone structure that reaches toward the sky, serving as a symbol of human ambition to build permanent material monuments.

Answer 4

Step 1: Reviewing the Surrounding Verse Context:
Milton asks, “What need'st thou such weak witness of thy name?” directly after describing physical monuments (“piled Stones” and the “Pyramid”).

Step 2: Explaining Why They are 'Weak':
These physical structures are called “weak” because they only witness the name of a person in a cold, silent, and inanimate medium (stone). They cannot convey the living beauty, depth, and intelligence of Shakespeare's actual writings.

Step 3: Defining the Referent:
Therefore, the “weak witness” refers to any man-made, physical, and material monument, such as grand tombs, pyramids, or piled stones.

Answer 5

Step 1: Locating the Cause in the Verse:
Milton writes: “Thou in our wonder and astonishment Hast built thy self a live-long Monument.”

Step 2: Explaining the Process of Building:
Shakespeare does not build his monument out of dead stone. Instead, he builds it out of the active intellectual engagement, “wonder,” and “astonishment” of his readers as they read his plays and poetry.

Step 3: Summarizing the Result:
Therefore, by inspiring endless awe and imagination across generations, Shakespeare has built an everlasting, living monument in the minds of humanity.

Answer 6

Step 1: Defining the Target Word:
The word “astonishing” is an adjective that describes something highly impressive, surprising, extraordinary, or remarkable.

Step 2: Evaluating the Options:

• Surprising is a synonym, meaning unexpected.
• Invisible refers to something that cannot be seen, which is semantically unrelated.
• Unremarkable means ordinary, common, and not worthy of notice or attention (the direct opposite of astonishing).
• Fascinating is a positive synonym, meaning extremely interesting.

Step 3: Determining the Antonym:
Thus, “unremarkable” is the correct and precise antonym for astonishing.