Std 7 English · Unit Four

4.1 Under the Greenwood Tree

Complete textbook exercise solutions — Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati), Grade Seven English.

Reference: The solutions below are based on the poem "Under the Greenwood Tree" by William Shakespeare found in the provided document[cite: 20].

1From the poem, find the old word used for each of the following:[cite: 20]

towards — Unto[cite: 20]
here — hither[cite: 20]
does — doth[cite: 20]

2Write in your own words.[cite: 20]

(a) Who does the poet invite to join him?[cite: 20]

The poet invites a person who loves to rest under the greenwood tree, sing merrily with the birds, stay away from ambitions, and live a simple, contented life under the open sun.

(b) How should that person sing?[cite: 20]

That person should sing joyfully, matching his merry notes with the sweet singing of the birds in the forest.

The poem conveys that a simple, contented life spent in the lap of nature is free from human enemies, worldly ambitions, and stress. In such a peaceful life, the only hardships one has to face are natural ones, like the winter chill and rough weather.

3Pick out the lines that mean:[cite: 20]

(a) Sing in such a manner:
"And turn his merry note / Unto the sweet bird's throat"[cite: 20]
(b) One who wishes to join me:
"Who loves to lie with me"[cite: 20]
(c) Who gives up his desire for wealth, power, fame, etc.:
"Who doth ambition shun"[cite: 20]
(d) Life in the forest is free from ill-wishers:
"Here shall he see / No enemy"[cite: 20]
(e) Happy to eat whatever he can get:
"Seeking the food he eats, / And pleased with what he gets"[cite: 20]

4Find from the Internet and write down.[cite: 20]

(a) In which century did William Shakespeare write his famous plays?[cite: 20]
William Shakespeare wrote his famous plays in the late 16th and early 17th century.

(b) From which play is this song extracted?[cite: 20]
This song is extracted from Shakespeare's famous comedy play, 'As You Like It'.

(c) Which character from the play sings this song?[cite: 20]
The song is sung by the character Amiens, who is a lord attending on the banished Duke in the Forest of Arden.

5Be a poet. Try to complete the following poem with words that rhyme with each other.[cite: 20]

I'd love to live a life that's free,
Relax under a shady tree,
And fall into a dreamy sleep,
With no strict hours, forced to keep.
And sing aloud a merry song,
Untrodden paths, as I walk along.
You ask me what I'd get to eat?
Fruits and nuts and berries sweet.
You ask me with whom I'd get to play?
Birds and animals, happy and gay.
And if a woodcutter put a chop?
Firmly, I would put a stop!
So that's the life I'd like to lead,
Free from worries, free from greed.

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