For what are men better than sheep or goats That nourish a blind life within the brain,

Question

Explain  the  passages with reference to the context :

For what are men better than sheep or goats That nourish a blind life within the brain, If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer Both for themselves and those who call them friend ? For so the whole round earth is in every way Bound by gold chains about the feet of God, But now farewell.

Answer 1

Context : The wounded King Arthur is going on his mysterious journey. He bids goodbye to his favourite knight Bedivere. He requests him to pray for the peace of his soul. He tells him the power of prayer that even the impossible works become possible by prayer. 

Explanation : In this stanza the poet tells us the power of prayer and distinction between men and animals. The animals do not have brain. They can’t use their reasoning power. They have no knowledge of God. But man knows what God is. So he should pray to God for himself and for his friends. So the people who do not pray to God are just like animals. Prayer is what we say due to affection. It is affection that binds us with God. So prayer is very necessary and effective.