Poem "The Man Of Life Upright"

Questions & Answers

Q1:   Explain briefly the man features of the poem?

The main features of an upright man are that he is an honorable man. His heart is free from all kinds of guilt. He is not vain or proud. He is honest and lives a simple life. He does not desire wealth or property. His wealth is his good deeds. He desires to go on a pilgrimage.

Q2:   What does an upright man do, when he faces “cares” of the world?

When an upright man faces the cares (problem) of his world, he reads his holy book and hopes for God’s mercy. He gains knowledge of the life after death.

Q3:   What does the poet mean when he says, “whose silent days in harmless goes are spent.”

An upright man lives a simple and a peaceful life. His joys are simple. He feels good by doing good deeds.

Q4:   Why only an upright man, “behold with unfrighten eyes, the horrors of the deep and terrors of the skies.”

It mean, only an upright man has courage to face bravely the dangers while traveling by sea or the danger (natural disasters) of the skies such as earthquake etc. Because he does not fear death.

Q5:   Why doesn’t an upright man need, “any armor for defense”?

Because an upright man is honorable and honest. He has full faith in God; therefore he needs no weapons for his defense.

Q6:   Why does the poet call “the earth his sober inn”?

The poet calls the earth his sober inn because he knows that his stay in this world is very short, just like a traveler who stays briefly in an inn (rest house) and then on his onward journey.

Q7:   What is the main objective of an upright man?

         The man objective of an upright man is to live an honest and a simple life and perform a pilgrimage.

Summary

Introduction

Thomas Campion was a prominent scholar, poet and musician of his time. Man of Life Upright is simple in expression but it contains depth of thought and feeling. The poem present the concept of an ideal personality, leading a highly disciplined and controlled life. He is master of himself.

Summary

The pure and innocent heart of an upright man is free from evil ideas and intentions. He passes his life in simple happiness. He has perfect control over his wishes and emotions. As a result, worldly loss and problems fail to disturb him.

He is confident and brave. He does not count on power or material resources. In a battle he depends upon God and seeks help from him. He does not have strong forts, weapons of war or secret cellars for his safety.

This man faces the natural calamities such as stormy winds, heavy rains and tempest calmly and courageously. His faith in God remains firm and unshaken.

“Faith is the force of Life.” …………….- Tolstoy

The poet says that this main shows complete indifference to the happy and unhappy events of Life. He is aware of that all wordly things and events are temporary and worthless. He seeks knowledge from the heavenly books and study of the objects of Nature adds to his wisdom and refines his intellect.

Compion says that the main of upright life considers the world a place for brief stay. It no more than an inn, without any glamour or charm. He believes that his good deeds are his only assets and earning. When called upon by God, he will have to embark on the journey to the next and eternal world.

“It matters not how long we live, but how we live.” ………….- Bailey