(a) Why is Shakespeare described as wicked?

Question

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

Surely, Shakespeare is wicked, the map a bad example, With ships and sun and love tempting them to steal For lives that slyly turn in their cramped holes From fog to endless night? On their slag heap, these children ‘ Wear skins peeped through by bones and spectacles of steel With mended glass, like bottle bits on stones

(a) Why is Shakespeare described as wicked? 

(b) Explain, “from fog to endless night.” 

(c) What does the reference to ‘slag heap’ mean? 

(d) How do they live in their holes?

Answer 1

(a) Shakespeare has been described as ‘wicked’ because the children are not aware of his literary genius. In their school, hardly any learning takes place, as they are troubled by hunger, despair and failed aspirations. 

(b) With reference to the passage, ‘from fog to endless night’ refers to early morning to late night. It means that every day is the same for the slum children. 

(c) The bloodless bodies of the poor children are referred to as ‘slag heap’. 

(d) They live like rats in their cramped little holes. Their houses are small, dirty and congested. Fog and darkness dominate their lives.