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Question
‘Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder’ you have probably heard this saying. Discuss in your class how far the statement is true.
Solution
The statement ‘Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder’ means that beauty is subjective and therefore, what is beautiful for one person may not be beautiful for another. The idea of beauty is very abstract. The statement is completely true because a person’s idea of beauty is dependent on a variety of factors and these factors help them perceive an idea of beauty that is unique to them. Beauty is created by the observer, thus making them the sole authority on deciding what appeals to them and what doesn’t. It is often said ‘One man’s trash is another man’s treasure’, meaning one person may find something to be of no value, whereas for another it may turn out to be something priceless. The difference lies in the perception. A subjective idea like beauty cannot be quantified by a person for another. Each individual has to perceive it in their own way. In the words of David Hume, “Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty”.
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| Column A | Column B |
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| (2) | |
| (3) |
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|
She walks in beauty, like the night Meet in her aspect and her eyes; One shade the more, one ray the less, And on that cheek, and o’er that brow, A mind at peace with all below, |
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|
She walks in beauty, like the night One shade the more, one ray the less, And on that cheek, and o’er that brow, |
A1. Select and write the two Statements from the given list which justify the theme of the poem.
- The poet is blunt and direct in his expression of love.
- Internal beauty is as important as the external beauty.
- The poet is in love with the lady’s outward beauty.
- Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.
A2. Complete the following web describing the various aspects of the lady’s beauty. One is done for you at the centre place.
A3. Write your idea of 'a beautiful person' in your own words.
A4. Find out and explain an example of 'Antithesis’ from the given extract.
A5. Compose a poem of your own in about 2 to 4 lines on the topic 'Beauty'.
