The snake visited the poet’s water trough because it was ___ and it needed to quench its thirst.

Hot

What does the poet's behavior indicate about his character when he waits for the snake to finish drinking?

The poet values patience and proper protocol, believing in waiting his turn.

Fill in the blank: The snake is described as being ___ and ___ in color.

Yellow brown

True or False: The snake made a lot of noise while drinking water from the trough.

False. The snake drank very silently.

What natural phenomenon is mentioned in the content that contributes to the heat of the day?

Mount Etna, an active volcano, is sending out fumes.

What internal conflict does the poet experience regarding the snake he encounters?

The poet feels a conflict between the education and social conventions that dictate he should kill the snake due to its perceived danger, and his personal affection for the snake, which he sees as a guest deserving of hospitality.

Fill in the blank: The snake came to the poet's water trough to ___ and then intended to depart.

Drink water

True or False: The poet ultimately decides to kill the snake despite his initial hesitation.

False. The poet does not kill the snake; instead, he feels honored by its presence.

What does the snake's behavior after drinking water suggest about its nature?

The snake's slow and dreamlike movement after drinking suggests it is calm and content, embodying a sense of peace rather than aggression.

In what way does the poet describe the snake's departure from the water trough?

The poet describes the snake as moving slowly and dreamily, as if it is in a tranquil state, before it curves around and ascends back into the crack in the wall from where it came.

What emotions does the poet experience when the snake retreats into the hole?

The poet feels agitation and a sense of protest against the snake's retreat, indicating a conflict between fascination and a desire to harm.

The act of throwing a log at the snake symbolizes the poet's internal conflict between ___ and ___ regarding nature.

Social conditioning and natural instinct

True or False: The poet expresses regret for his action of throwing a log at the snake and wishes for it to return.

True

What lesson does the poet wish to convey regarding the 'voice of education'?

The poet criticizes the 'voice of education' for teaching him to kill snakes without reason, paralleling it with the senseless killing of the albatross by the Ancient Mariner.

Fill in the blank: The poet's fascination with the snake is mixed with a feeling of ___ after he throws the log.

Guilt

What does the poet imply about the snake's behavior in relation to its royal status?

The poet implies that the snake behaves with dignity and grace, akin to a king, which reflects its royal status as the king of the underworld.

The poet feels that he has acted with ___ towards the snake.

Pettiness

True or False: The poet believes he has treated the snake with the respect it deserves.

False. The poet regrets his actions and acknowledges that he failed to treat the snake with due respect.

What amends does the poet wish to make regarding his treatment of the snake?

The poet wishes to make amends by recognizing the snake's dignified nature and treating it with the respect befitting a king.

What does the snake symbolize in the poem, considering its actions and the setting?

The snake symbolizes a connection to nature and instinct, demonstrating a calm presence in a hot environment, which contrasts with the human's need for order and protocol.

Fill in the blank: The poet waited for the snake to finish drinking because he believed in ___ regarding his turn at the water trough.

Protocol

True or False: The poet feels impatience while waiting for the snake to drink water.

False. The poet waits patiently, adhering to his sense of protocol.

Describe the environment in which the snake is drinking water.

The snake is drinking water under the shade of a red flowery tree on a hot day in Sicily, near Mount Etna, which is emitting fumes.

What does the poet observe about the snake’s physical characteristics as it drinks?

The poet observes that the snake is yellow-brown in color, has a soft belly, and drinks silently, resting its throat on the stone bottom of the trough.