Eldorado

Gaily bedlight,
A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
Had journeyed long,
Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.

But he grew old,
This knight so bold,
And o'er his heart a shadow
Fell as he found
No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.

And, as his strength
Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow;
'Shadow,' said he,
'Where can it be,
This land of Eldorado?'

'Over the mountains
Of the moon,
Down the valley of the shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,'
The shade replied,----
'If you seek for Eldorado!'

1.
What does the first stanza tell us about the knight?
2.
Why did a shadow fall on the heart of the knight?
3.
Who did the knight meet when his strength was failing? Was this stranger able to answer his question?
4.
Do you think the 'valley of the shadow' is a valley in the real world? Give reasons for your answer
5.
The poet uses the word 'shadow' four times-in the middle of each stanze, with a new meaning each time.
Complete the following sentences with the appropriate stanza numbers :
a. In stanza ___________, shadow means a spirit.
b. In stanza ___________, shadow implies despair.
c. In stanza ___________, shadow refers to death.
d. In stanza ___________, shadow refers to shade.
6.
What do you think is the Eldorado that the knight is searching for?

1 more answer(s) available.