Question

of late, eternal condor years
so shake the very heaven on high
with tumult as they thunder by,
i have no time for idle cares
through gazing on the unquiet sky.
and when an hour with calmer wings
its down upon my spirit flings-
that little time with lyre and rhyme
to while away- forbidden things!
my heart would feel to be a crime
unless it trembled with the strings.
what theme of the poem does the first stanza reveal?
options:

• nature is the world’s teacher.
• romantic notions shape one’s youth.
• children should spend time outside.
• nature is full of romantic notions.

Explanation:

The first stanza of the poem (lines like "O late, eternal Condor years / So shake the very Heaven on high / With tumult as they thunder by, / I have no time for idle cares / Through gazing on the unquiet sky.") describes nature (the Condor, Heaven, sky) as a powerful, tumultuous force. The speaker is engaged with nature's grandeur, so the stanza reveals that nature is full of romantic notions (like the sublime, a key Romantic theme) or that nature is a powerful, inspiring presence. Among the options, "Nature is full of romantic notions" fits as Romanticism often emphasizes nature's beauty, power, and emotional impact, and the stanza's vivid natural imagery (tumultuous sky, eternal Condor years) aligns with Romantic ideals of nature's grandeur and emotional resonance. Other options: "Nature as the world’s teacher" isn't directly supported (no teaching element), "Romantic notions shape one’s youth" – the stanza is about the speaker's current engagement with nature, not youth - shaping, "Children should spend time outside" – no mention of children. So the best answer is the one about nature being full of romantic notions.

Answer:

Nature is full of romantic notions.