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Questions and Answers
What role did John Milton Hay hold under Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt?
What role did John Milton Hay hold under Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt?
What central theme is explored in the poem 'My Castle in Spain'?
What central theme is explored in the poem 'My Castle in Spain'?
How does Robert G. Ingersoll describe Napoleon's tomb in his poem?
How does Robert G. Ingersoll describe Napoleon's tomb in his poem?
What is a significant contrast Ingersoll makes about Napoleon in his poem?
What is a significant contrast Ingersoll makes about Napoleon in his poem?
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What ironic situation is presented regarding the Queen in 'My Castle in Spain'?
What ironic situation is presented regarding the Queen in 'My Castle in Spain'?
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Which of the following best captures the tone of Ingersoll's poem about Napoleon?
Which of the following best captures the tone of Ingersoll's poem about Napoleon?
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What significant event did John Milton Hay participate in during his time in Spain?
What significant event did John Milton Hay participate in during his time in Spain?
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What virtues does the narrator associate with the Queen in 'My Castle in Spain'?
What virtues does the narrator associate with the Queen in 'My Castle in Spain'?
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What feeling does the man in 'My Castle in Spain' primarily express?
What feeling does the man in 'My Castle in Spain' primarily express?
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What aspect of Napoleon's life does Ingersoll reflect upon in his poem?
What aspect of Napoleon's life does Ingersoll reflect upon in his poem?
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How does the narrator in 'My Castle in Spain' describe the Queen?
How does the narrator in 'My Castle in Spain' describe the Queen?
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In the poem by Ingersoll, how is Napoleon's tomb described?
In the poem by Ingersoll, how is Napoleon's tomb described?
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What deeper message does Ingersoll convey about glory in his poem?
What deeper message does Ingersoll convey about glory in his poem?
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What irony is present in the man's connection to the Queen in 'My Castle in Spain'?
What irony is present in the man's connection to the Queen in 'My Castle in Spain'?
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What kind of literary works was John Milton Hay known for besides being a diplomat?
What kind of literary works was John Milton Hay known for besides being a diplomat?
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What event significantly marked John Milton Hay's time in Spain?
What event significantly marked John Milton Hay's time in Spain?
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What does the man in 'My Castle in Spain' prioritize above the riches and culture of the castle?
What does the man in 'My Castle in Spain' prioritize above the riches and culture of the castle?
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What profession did John Milton Hay hold at the beginning of his career?
What profession did John Milton Hay hold at the beginning of his career?
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In Robert G. Ingersoll's poem, how does he depict Napoleon's legacy?
In Robert G. Ingersoll's poem, how does he depict Napoleon's legacy?
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Which quality is NOT associated with the Queen in 'My Castle in Spain'?
Which quality is NOT associated with the Queen in 'My Castle in Spain'?
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What element of Napoleon's life does Ingersoll emphasize as crucial in his poem?
What element of Napoleon's life does Ingersoll emphasize as crucial in his poem?
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What feeling does the narrator in 'My Castle in Spain' express regarding his situation?
What feeling does the narrator in 'My Castle in Spain' express regarding his situation?
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How does Ingersoll compare Napoleon's experience to that of common people?
How does Ingersoll compare Napoleon's experience to that of common people?
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What aspect of his life in Spain does John Milton Hay likely reflect upon in relation to war?
What aspect of his life in Spain does John Milton Hay likely reflect upon in relation to war?
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Study Notes
John Milton Hay
- American statesman and official
- Served as United States Secretary of State
- Biographer of Abraham Lincoln
- Wrote poetry
- “My Castle in Spain” is a poem of longing and homesickness
- The poem describes a castle in Spain full of riches, history and culture
- The speaker compares a woman in the castle to the virtues of beauty, wisdom, purity and honesty
- The woman is "unconscious"
Robert G. Ingersoll
- Politician and prominent orator
- Famous for his speeches exposing religious superstitions
- "At the Tomb of Napolean" is a three stanza poem
- Describes Napolean's grave as a “gold and gilt tomb”
- Ingersoll imagines Napolean's achievements and failures
- The poem reflects upon Napolean's personal losses
- Ingersoll compares Napolean's accomplishments to the simple life
- Ingersoll concludes that Napolean's glory is worthless
John Milton Hay
- American statesman and diplomat
- Served as United States Secretary of State under Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt
- Served as a private secretary and assistant to Abraham Lincoln
- Wrote poetry and literature throughout his life, including a biography of Lincoln
- Served as a diplomat in Spain after Isabella II was deposed
- Experienced the Spanish American War firsthand
"My Castle in Spain"
- Poem describes a man's longing for a castle in Spain
- The castle is depicted as full of riches, history and culture
- The man's longing is primarily focused on the Queen who dwells there
- The Queen is compared to virtues of beauty, wisdom, purity, and honesty
- The speaker implies that the Queen waits for his return, unaware of his fate
- The poem suggests a tragic ending, possibly involving war and loss
Robert G. Ingersoll
- American politician and prominent orator
- Famous for his witty speeches exposing religious superstitions
- Earned a substantial income for his public speaking engagements
"At The Tomb of Napoleon"
- Contains 3 stanzas
- Describes Napoleon's tomb as "fit almost for a dead deity"
- Uses a series of 13 "I saw him -" statements to chronicle Napoleon's accomplishments and failures
- Highlights Napoleon's significant victories and military campaigns
- Depicts Napoleon's personal losses in love and his responsibility for widows and orphans
- Contrasts Napoleon's imperial glory with the simple life of a peasant
- Expresses a preference for the peasant's life over Napoleon's history of war and conquest
John Milton Hay
- American statesman and official
- Served as a diplomat
- Served as the United States Secretary of State under Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt
- Biographer of Abraham Lincoln
- Wrote poetry and literature throughout his life
"My Castle in Spain"
- Poem describes a man’s longing and homesickness for a castle in Spain
- Castle is full of riches, history and culture
- Man is longing for Queen who dwells in the castle
- Queen is compared to virtues of beauty, wisdom, purity and honesty
Robert G. Ingersoll
- Politician and prominent orator
- Earned $3,500 per night for his speeches
"At the Tomb of Napolean"
- Poem describes an imagined visit to the tomb of Napolean
- Napolean's tomb is described as "gold and gilt"
- Poem details successes of Napolean such as his military achievements
- Poem details failures of Napolean such as contemplating suicide and causing suffering
- Poem concludes that Napolean’s achievements are worthless compared to a simple life
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Description
Explore the works of John Milton Hay and Robert G. Ingersoll, two significant figures in American literature and politics. Analyze Hay's poem 'My Castle in Spain' and Ingersoll's poignant reflections in 'At the Tomb of Napolean'. Discover themes of beauty, longing, and the essence of true value in their writings.
