So Han-shan writes you these words,
These words which no one will believe.
Honey is sweel; men love the taste.
Medicine is bitter and hard to swallow.
What soothers the feelings brigns contentment, -what's this line mean?
What opposes the will calls forth anger. -what's this line mean?
Yet I ask you to look at the wooden puppets,
Worn out by their moment of play on the stage.
I haven't answer these four question(would love some help or ideas)
1. What imagery is produced through the language?
2. How does the imagery effect the poem's meaning?
3. What moods are created by particular words?
4. What tone is established through the language choices of the author?
Here is what I think:
Han Shan’s poem ninety-nine of Cold Mountain is showing that men only want an immediate satisfaction throughout life instead of the big picture or long term. The poet starts writing these words, but not actions like Gandhi. The words he predicts will have not have any effect on people day to day because they will ignore them. Full truth is hard to swallow for most people. The next two lines show how men are selfish and only focused on what’s best for here and now; however, maybe the long-term solution is better. Honey makes us feel good temporary and it’s enjoyable, while we hate to take medicine, but it will keep us healthy. We concentrate so much on eating in this society which is only going to make us temporary happy. We think in an egocentric way. Feelings=fleeting; will only lasts as long as the mind. The last two lines show the puppets looking worn because their moments of play are short because they are controlled by greed, desires, and temporary fixes.
I see you posted this elsewhere on the web. I have been away for a while, and did not see this until now. Do you still need more input, or is the assigment history at this point?