1. What do you think it must feel like for an explorer to discover a new country or for an astronomer to discover a new planet or star? Discuss the emotions that such a discovery might provoke.
2. If you had to pick one book, poem, film or song that has had the greatest impact on your life so far, which would you pick and why?
3. Can reading about an experience be just as good as actually living that experience?
COMPREHENDING AND RESPONDING
1. When Keats says that he is well-travelled, do you think he is talking about literal or metaphorical travel, or both? Give reasons for your answer.
2. Explain the following lines in your own words: ‘Round many western islands have I been/ Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold.’
3. Why do you think Keats describes Homer as ‘deep-brow’d’? Refer to the poem in support of your answer.
4. Keats had read Homer’s epic poems before, so what was different about his experience of reading Chapman’s translations of the Iliad and the Odyssey? Refer to lines 7–10 in support of your answer.
5. Do you agree that Keats’ simile comparing his experience to that of an explorer such as Cortez is effective? Explain your answer with reference to the poem.
6. ‘In his poem “On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer”, Keats explores the joy of truly connecting with and understanding a text.’ Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Support your answer with reference to the poem.
7. What theme or themes can you find in this poem? Refer to the poem in support of your answer.
CREATING 1. Write a short story that revolves around the discovery of something monumental.
2. Write a speech to be delivered to Junior Cycle students in your school inspired by this quotation from A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin: ‘A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies ... The man who never reads lives only one.’
3. You have the chance to interview someone who has either made an important discovery or invented something important. Write the text of that interview for an online publication. Include at least five questions and five answers.
