Question 1: Identify two poetic techniques used in this extract and explain their effect.

Answer: Possible techniques include imagery (e.g., 'grey horses in the fog') creating mythic visualisation, and personification (e.g., 'manes whispering') adding a sense of mythic storytelling.

Question 2: How does the poet link the mythological references to modern themes?

Answer: The poet juxtaposes divine imagery with the modern world (e.g., 'forgot how to believe'), suggesting a loss and rediscovery of myth in contemporary life.

Question 3: What is the significance of the phrase 'divine battles' in this context?

Answer: It alludes to mythological conflicts, symbolising ongoing struggles or conflicts in the modern world, echoing ancient stories.

Question 4: Discuss how the imagery of 'fading into the mist' contributes to the overall theme of the poem.

Answer: Students should analyse how this imagery suggests the dissolution of myth and the elusive nature of divine influence in modern times, reinforcing themes of memory, fading belief, and the persistence of mythological echoes.

Question 5: Identify and explain the effect of any caesura in the poem.

Answer: Students might note pauses created by punctuation, such as commas, which slow the rhythm and emphasise mythological imagery.

Question 6: How does the poem’s tone reflect the mythological motifs introduced?

Answer: The tone is contemplative and reverent, highlighting a sense of wonder and nostalgia towards mythic stories that still influence modern perceptions.

Question 7: What might the 'shadows stretch like the threads of fate' suggest about the poet’s view of myth?

Answer: It suggests that myth is intertwined with destiny and that these stories are still shaping or stretching into our present lives.

Question 8: Write a brief creative response: imagine a mythological creature that could be hiding in the modern fog. Describe it and its significance.

Answer: Responses should include description of the creature, its mythological origins, and its symbolic meaning in the context of the poem's themes.