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The best description of the reason for the use of lines of consistently similar length in the poem is C It allows the poet to create a steady rhythm throughout. The consistent line length contributes to the poem's musicality and flow, making it more engaging and easier to recite.
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The repetition of the lines “Brennan on the Moor, Brennan on the Moor, / Bold and undaunted stood young Brennan on the Moor” emphasizes Willy Brennan’s bravery and defiance as an outlaw. This is evident in the way the phrase captures his boldness, as he remains unafraid of authority (“Bold and undaunted”), and in reflecting his legendary status as a figure who challenges societal norms and expectations.
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The poet's structure of the poem into stanzas of four lines and two lines serves to differentiate between narrative action and repeated themes. The four-line stanzas often present specific events and details of Brennan’s exploits, such as his encounters with the Mayor and his subsequent betrayal, while the two-line stanzas reinforce the central theme of his bravery and heroic stature, particularly through the refrain celebrating Brennan’s fearlessness.
It’s of a famous highwayman a story I will tell;
His name was Willy Brennan, in Ireland he did dwell;
And on the Kilworth mountains he commenced his wild career,
Where many a wealthy gentleman before him shook with fear.
5 Brennan on the Moor, Brennan on the Moor,
Bold and undaunted stood young Brennan on the Moor. . . .
One day, on the highway, as Willy he sat down,
He met the Mayor of Cashel a mile outside the town;
The Mayor, he knew his features—“I think, young man,” said he,
10 “Your name is Willy Brennan—you must come along with me.”
Brennan on the Moor, Brennan on the Moor,
Bold and undaunted stood young Brennan on the Moor.
As Brennan’s wife had gone to town provisions for to buy,
When she saw her Willy, she began to weep and cry;
15 He says, “Give me that tenpenny.” As soon as Willy spoke,
She handed him a blunderbuss, from underneath her cloak.
Brennan on the Moor, Brennan on the Moor,
Bold and undaunted stood young Brennan on the Moor.
Then with his loaded blunderbuss—the truth I will unfold—
20 He made the Mayor tremble, and robbed him of his gold;
One hundred pounds were offered for his apprehension there,
And he, with his horse and saddle, to the mountain did repair.
Brennan on the Moor, Brennan on the Moor,
Bold and undaunted stood young Brennan on the Moor.
25 Then Brennan being an outlaw, upon the mountain high,
With cavalry and infantry to take him they did try;
He laughed at them with scorn, until at length, it’s said;
By a false-hearted woman he basely was betrayed.
Brennan on the Moor. Brennan on the Moor.
30 Bold and undaunted stood young Brennan on the Moor. . . .
So they were taken prisoners, in irons they were bound,
And conveyed to Clonmel Jail, strong walls did them surround;
They were tried and found guilty—the Judge made this reply:
“For robbing on the king’s highway, you’re both condemned to die.”
35 Brennan on the Moor, Brennan on the Moor,
Bold and undaunted stood young Brennan on the Moor.
When Brennan heard his sentence, he made this reply;
“I own that I did rob the rich, and did the poor supply;
In all the deeds that I have done I took no life away;
40 The Lord have mercy on my soul against the judgment day.”
Brennan on the Moor, Brennan on the Moor,
The structure of the poem uses lines of consistently similar length. Which best describes a
reason this text feature is used in the poem?
A It shows all events in the poem are equally important.
B It makes it easier for the poet to find rhyming end words.
C It allows the poet to create a steady rhythm throughout.
D It makes the sometimes difficult phrasing easier to read.
4 Explain what effect the repetition of the lines “Brennan on the Moor, Brennan on the Moor, /
Bold and undaunted stood young Brennan on the Moor” has on the meaning of the poem.
Use at least two details from the text to support your answer. In a short sentence
5 The poet organizes the poem into stanzas that have four lines or only two lines. Explain why
the poet structured the poem in this way by comparing the content presented in the four-line
and two-line stanzas. Support your answer with at least two details from the poem. In a short sentence
1 answer