“Mutability” and “A Defence of Poetry” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Question 1

Which idea do these lines convey?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Thoughts can have negative effects.

Question 2

This part of the poem compares people to lyres, which are musical instruments. How does the poem describe the sound the strings make?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

The strings are always making new sounds.; People respond uniquely to different experiences.

Question 3

People respond uniquely to different experiences.People are likely to enjoy music.People eventually become unimportant.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

People respond uniquely to different experiences.

Question 4

Which sentence best describes the idea expressed in the final stanza?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Life is fleeting and always changing.

Question 5

The strings are making unpleasant sounds.The strings are always making new sounds.The strings are no longer making sounds.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

The strings are making unpleasant sounds.; The strings are always making new sounds.; People respond uniquely to different experiences.

“Mutability” and “A Defence of Poetry” by Percy Bysshe Shelley Answers