Comprehension

Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
Pity would be no more
If we did not make somebody Poor;
And Mercy no more could be
If all were as happy as we.
And mutual fear brings peace,
Till the selfish loves increase:
Then Cruelty knits a snare,
And spreads his baits with care.
He sits down with holy fears,
And waters the ground with tears;
Then Humility takes its root
Underneath his foot.
(The Human Abstract)

Question: 1

Why, according to the poet, has pity become a necessity?

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Blake's poetry often criticizes institutional virtues, pointing out that virtues like pity and mercy are sometimes used to justify the inequalities that make them necessary.

Updated On: Jun 23, 2026

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Question: 2

When, according to the poet, would there be no mercy?

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Blake uses the pronoun “we” in a satirical way to represent the comfortable upper classes, highlighting how they sometimes look down on the less fortunate.

Updated On: Jun 23, 2026

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Question: 3

How long can peace exist?

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Look for transition words like “till” or “until” to find the exact boundaries or time limits set on concepts (such as peace) in a poem.

Updated On: Jun 23, 2026

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Question: 4

What is meant by 'Cruelty knits a snare, And spreads his baits with care'?

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To explain complex metaphors, identify the personified character (Cruelty), their actions (trapping), and the real-world behaviors those actions represent (deception).

Updated On: Jun 23, 2026

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Question: 5

'Only fears and tears can humble man.' Do you agree?

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In analytical essay questions, you do not have to agree with the literal statement. You can use the poem's satirical tone to build a more balanced, critical argument.

Updated On: Jun 23, 2026

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Question: 6

Which word is the apt antonym of 'bait'?

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To easily find antonyms, think of the words as forces: if a “bait” pulls a target toward it, its antonym must be something that pushes them away (a “deterrent”).

Updated On: Jun 23, 2026