Death The Leveller
Class: tenth
Lesson: 2nd
Students involved:
arti, saajan,
jobanpreet singh.
Project developed by: Smt. hemlata
School Name: Ghs Maqboolpura.
Amritsar.
Written By:James Shirley
Summary:
James Shirley has chosen to write about a
subject that make us feel uncomfortable i.e
nature of Death. The Statement death is a
leveller means that no matter how you have
lived your life, when we die we all made equal.
Everybody is brought to the same level death.
The title is significant as death will level even
kings and great warriors equally
Stanza 1
The glories of our blood and state .
Are shadows, not substantial things:
There is no armour against Fate;
Death lays his icy hand on kings:
Explanation

In the opening of first stanza. Shirley is arguing
that the splendor of our life and nation are
merely clouds they are not important things.
There is no shield that can save us from what is
destined for us. Death has been personified
given human qualities even if you are king you
will eventually die because it is inevitable.
Stanza 2
Sceptre and crown
Must tumble down,
And in the dust be
equal made
With the poor
crooked scythe and
spade.
Explanation

Shirley explains that crown is above and other
people are the bottom, saying that royalty is the
top but it is not true we are all equal to each
other. Using scythe and spade they are
harvesting death making an image of death
cutting people down and digging granes.
Stanza 3
Some men with swords may recap the field,
And plant fresh laurels where they kill;
But their strong nerves at last must yield;
They tame but one another still:
Explanation

Shirley praising men who fought in battle
with swords. They may win by killing others.
But the strong nerves of even such men
must at last bow before death. He describe
the men of were brave. They can defeat one
another only. They can’t defeat death.
Stanza 4
Early or late
They stoop to fate,
And must give up their murmuring breath
When they, pale captives, creep to death.
Explanation

If you are young or old. Then it is
inevitable that you will be die. When death
overpowers them. They look like pale
captives. Death ends all their pride.
Stanza 5
The garlands wither on your brow;
Then boast no more your mighty
deeds
Upon Death s purple altar now
See where the victor victim bleeds.
Explanation

The fame and honour won by you shall fade
away after your death. We should not proud
of our mighty achievements. We are mortal
creatures. If we triumph over our enemies and
victims and that we should look at our
decisions in a new light because we may never
have the chance to make it right again. He
also mentioned a purple alter an alter has
religious purpose and therefore he is
mentioning religion and royalty.
Stanza 6
Your heads must
come
To the cold tomb:
Only the actions of
the just
Smell sweet and
blossom in their dust.
Explanation

According to Shirley Your heads too, will
have to lie under the cold tombs after your
death only the good deeds or actions of men
live after death and spread their fragrance all
around us.
Word meanings
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Words
Meanings
Blood
Substantial
Scepter
Crooked
Spade
Descent
important
verge
round circled
coon
Word meanings
Words
meanings
6. Laurels
7. Stoop
8. Creep
9.Wither
10. Captives
Awards
bend
crawl
dry
prisoners
Questionnaires
Answers the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What do some men do with swords ?
Who stoop to fail ?
Which two words show that men do not
die?
What do you meant by pale captives?
What are the garlands that wither?
Answers the following:
7. Why one should not boast one’ s mighty
deeds ?
8. What do you meant by victim victor?
9. What is that which is much happens?
10. What is cold tomb symbol of ?
11. What idea does the poet want to convey?
Correct
INCORRECT
Biblography




http://manandedhia.blogspot.com/2010/05/de
ath-leveller.html
http://inpursuitofhistory.com/2010/01/22/dea
th-the-leveller-pursuit-of-poesy-friday-no-2/
http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Lov
e-Poetry/1633105
Text book of class 10th
Thank you