Multiple choice

Why did the widow of the slain warrior not cry?

Directions: Read the following poem carefully. On the basis of your reading of the poem, complete the following sentences as briefly as possible. Write your answer against the correct question number.

Home They Brought Her Warrior Dead
Home they brought her warrior dead:
She nor swooned, nor uttered cry:
All her maidens, watching, said,
'She must weep or she will die.'

Then they praised him, soft and low,
Called him worthy to be loved,
Truest friend and noblest foe;
Yet she neither spoke nor moved.

Stole a maiden from her place,
Lightly to the warrior stepped,
Took the face-cloth from the face;
Yet she neither moved nor wept.

Rose a nurse of ninety years,
Set his child upon her knee—
Like summer tempest came her tears—
'Sweet my child, I live for thee.'

                        Alfred Tennyson

  1. Because she fell unconscious at the sight of her dead husband.

  2. Because she was in such a shock that she could not react.

  3. Because as a brave lady of high birth she could control her emotions.

  4. Because she was not informed about the death of her husband.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The poem describes the widow in a state of shock - 'She nor swooned, nor uttered cry', 'Yet she neither spoke nor moved', 'Yet she neither moved nor wept'. This complete lack of response indicates she was in such deep shock that she was unable to react emotionally or physically.

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