An English Teacher's Dream Lesson: "The Pied Piper of Hamelin"--Text, Interpretation, Quiz, and Key

 

Initial Prompt in Bard: "New Chat" Give me the text of the Pied Piper of Hamlin

 Robert Browning's poem: In 1842, English poet Robert Browning wrote a long, dramatic poem based on the Pied Piper legend. This version is known for its beautiful language and vivid imagery.

 "The Pied Piper of Hamelin":

I

Hamelin Town's in Brunswick,
By the river Weser, lies;
Five miles away the mountain spins
Its ancient mill-wheels in the skies.
With all its pumps and whistles quaint,
There's Hamelin! And there's the Mayor,
Puzzled and perplexed, a perfect goose,
A puffed-up, empty bladder.

II

Rats! They marched from cellar to barn,
Over the well-spread feast they danced.
Licked the soup, they lapped the cream,
Poked their noses into milk-pans,
Squirmed all through the pantry bright,
Sifted the flour, and licked the treacle,
Pushed the kittens off the hearth,
And worried dogs as they took their nap.

III

The Mayor called a council at once:
Burgomasters, Aldermen, Knaves and Hanses
Ratsbane, cats and traps were tried,
All by turns, with baleful eyes.
Vain! The Mayor was at his wits' end,
Ieeping through the streets to and fro,
While the piper a sweet, merry tune did blow.

IV

Then into the council-chamber strode
He, clad in motley, all a-grin,
Blowing through the pipe his merry din.
"Fear not, friends," he said, "your rats I'll pipe
To a safe distance from your town,
For fifty guilders." (Ten times more
Than what he asked before!)

V

But, gullible fools, those Hamelin men,
Swore no expense should stand their way;
They handed the guilders, grinned, and then
Clapped for joy as he piped that day.

VI

He piped first for a pennyworth,
And lo! from gutter, sink, and hole,
The rats crept out, all tails abrist,
A monstrous, squeaking, wriggling shoal!
Over the Mayor's toes they ran,
Over the Alderman's silken gown;
With squeak and scramble, one and all,
Off to the Weser they swept down.

VII

The piper led them with his tune,
To a great mill-dam far below,
There on a heap the brown rats stood,
And, as the music ceased to flow,
Squelched and splashed and drowned themselves
All but the piper's own pet brown,
Who scampered back to the piper's crown.

VIII

The Hamelin folk were wild with joy,
Their homes were quiet, free from rats;
They sang, they danced, they feasted well,
And thanked the piper with a cheer:
"Now go," they cried, "and take your pay,
And be off before you lose it all!"

IX

But the piper laughed, "Then I'll change my tune,
And with it change your minds, I ween!"
He piped a tune so shrill and strange,
The Hamelin children heard it, and
Ran helter-skelter out of doors,
And after him they went in rows,
Through fields and streets, and lanes, and squares.

X

He went on piping to the mill,
The children followed, glad and still.
His music worked its wondrous spell,
They marched right in, and, as they went,
The millstone fell and closed the stream,
And safe were the children evermore,
In a land where children love to go.

XI

But Hamelin's children never came back,
Only a tower on Koppelberg
Keeps the story, and a black stone slab
Bears this rhyme upon its face:
"Hamelin's children follow'd the Piper
To a land where summer always sings,
And where the flowers are ever spring.
Be grateful, Hamelin folk, be wise,
And never break a promise thrice!"

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Text "Interpret" Followup in bard

Here's an interpretation of Robert Browning's "The Pied Piper of Hamelin":

Key Themes:

• Betrayal of trust: The central theme revolves around the consequences of broken promises and dishonesty. The town leaders' refusal to pay the Piper leads to a devastating loss, as he retaliates by taking their children.
• Power of music: The poem highlights music's captivating and transformative power. The Piper's melodies control both rats and children, demonstrating its ability to both enchant and manipulate.
• Greed and selfishness: The townspeople's initial desperation gives way to greed and ingratitude. They renege on their payment, prioritizing wealth over integrity, resulting in harsh consequences.
• Corruption of authority: The Mayor and council are depicted as foolish and self-serving, prioritizing their comfort over the town's well-being. Their mismanagement leads to the crisis and ultimately, the loss of their children.
• Loss of innocence: The Pied Piper's allure symbolizes the dangers that can befall children when adults fail to protect them. The children's disappearance underscores the fragility of innocence and the importance of responsible leadership.

Additional Insights:

• Historical context: The poem may reflect societal concerns during Browning's time, such as child labor and exploitation, as well as distrust of authority figures.
• Psychological interpretation: The Piper could represent the allure of temptation or the consequences of unchecked desires. The rats could symbolize societal ills or personal vices that require reckoning.
• Mythological elements: The Pied Piper's otherworldly abilities and the children's entrance into a magical land align with elements of folklore and mythology.

Overall, "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" offers a cautionary tale about the importance of honoring promises, the potential dangers of unchecked power, and the need for responsible leadership to protect the vulnerable.

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 Give me a 10 question test on The Pied Piper of Hamelin

The Pied Piper of Hamelin Quiz (10 Questions)

Instructions: Multiple choice unless otherwise specified. Choose the best answer for each question.

1. Where is the town of Hamelin located? a) Bavaria b) Brunswick c) Austria d) Switzerland

2. What pest plagues Hamelin at the beginning of the story? a) Mice b) Fleas c) Squirrels d) Rats

3. How much does the Pied Piper initially ask for to rid Hamelin of the rats? a) One penny b) Fifty guilders c) A lifetime supply of cheese d) He offers to do it for free

4. What happens to the rats after the Pied Piper leads them away? a) They return to Hamelin and take over the town. b) They disappear mysteriously. c) They die by drowning in a mill dam. d) They join the Pied Piper in his magical land.

5. What motivates the Pied Piper to return to Hamelin and take the children? a) He misses the townspeople and wants to reunite with them. b) He is angered by the townspeople's refusal to pay the full amount. c) He needs the children to join him in his magical land. d) He enjoys playing his tune and wants to show off his skill.

6. How does the Pied Piper lure the children away from Hamelin? a) He promises them candy and toys. b) He threatens to unleash the rats again. c) He plays a hypnotic melody on his pipe. d) He tells them stories of adventure in a faraway land.

7. Where does the Pied Piper lead the children? a) To a nearby forest where they can play safely. b) Back to the mill dam where he previously drowned the rats. c) Into a mysterious mountain cave. d) To a magical land of eternal childhood.

8. What is the inscription on the black stone slab in Hamelin? a) A warning against trusting strangers. b) A recipe for the best rat poison. c) A reminder of the importance of keeping promises. d) A description of the Piper's magical land.

9. What is the most likely fate of the Pied Piper and the children? a) They live happily ever after in the magical land. b) They eventually return to Hamelin, forgiven by the townspeople. c) They remain trapped in the mountain cave forever. d) Their fate remains unknown, a matter of speculation.

10. What message or lesson does the poem "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" convey? a) The importance of environmental protection. b) The dangers of relying on quick fixes to solve problems. c) The consequences of breaking promises and treating others unfairly. d) The allure of the unknown and the desire for adventure.

Bonus question: Briefly explain how Robert Browning's poem differs from the original fairytale version of the Pied Piper story.

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Give me an answer key for this quiz

Answer Key for the "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" Quiz:

1. b) Brunswick
2. d) Rats
3. b) Fifty guilders
4. c) They die by drowning in a mill dam.
5. b) He is angered by the townspeople's refusal to pay the full amount.
6. c) He plays a hypnotic melody on his pipe.
7. d) To a magical land of eternal childhood.
8. c) A reminder of the importance of keeping promises.
9. d) Their fate remains unknown, a matter of speculation.
10. c) The consequences of breaking promises and treating others unfairly.

Bonus Question Answer:

Browning's poem focuses more on the moral and psychological aspects of the story, exploring themes of betrayal, greed, and the loss of innocence. The fairy tale version is typically shorter and more straightforward, emphasizing the Piper's magic and the children's disappearance. Browning also adds elements of satire and social commentary, criticizing the townspeople's behavior and raising questions about authority and responsibility.