Question

The complicated passage "those passions read / Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, / The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed . . ." could be interpreted as meaning that

Answer 1

The passage suggests that emotions and essence of life are captured in art, reflecting the creator's skill and the inspiration behind it, embodying themes of legacy and memory.

Step-by-step explanation:

The passage "those passions read / Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, / The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed" suggests that strong emotions and the essence of what once was alive are still evident and can be discerned from inanimate objects or artworks. The 'lifeless things' could be sculptures, paintings, or monuments that reflect the intense feelings of individuals who once existed, as well as the artist's ('the hand that mocked') skill in capturing such passions and the deep care or inspiration ('the heart that fed') that led to their creation. This interpretation touches upon themes of legacy, memory, and the transcendent power of art to convey human experience far beyond the lifetimes of both the subjects and the creator.

Answer 2

The complicated passage "those passions read / Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, / The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed . . ." could be interpreted as meaning that the passage reflects on the emotions depicted on the urn despite the figures being frozen in time.

Step-by-step explanation:

The complicated passage you quoted is from a poem called 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' by John Keats. In this particular passage, Keats is reflecting on the emotions and passions that are depicted on the urn.

The phrase 'those passions read / Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, / The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed' suggests that even though the figures on the urn are frozen in time, the emotions they represent still hold meaning and significance. The 'hand that mocked them' refers to the artist who created the urn, and the 'heart that fed' refers to the emotions and inspiration that fueled the creation of the artwork. So therefore the passage reflects on the emotions depicted on the urn despite the figures being frozen in time.