(a) Why is the snake called a king in exile ? (b) What is the pettiness referred to in these lines ?

Question

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow : 

For he seemed to me again like a king, 

Like a king in exile, uncrowned in the underworld, 

Now due to be crowned again. 

And so, I missed my chance with one of the lords 

Of life. 

And I have something to expiate:

A pettiness. 

(a) Why is the snake called a king in exile ? 

(b) What is the pettiness referred to in these lines ? 

(c) What does the word 'underworld' mean ? 

(d) The poet refers to ...... as one of the lords of life.

Answer 1

(a) The snake is a majestic creature and is forced to remain underground, out of man’s sight. 

(b) The act of throwing a log at the snake/harming the snake. 

(c) Under the earth / underground / a snake hole. 

(d) Snake.