About the poet

Edward Lear (12 May 1812 – 29 January 1888) was a British artist, illustrator, author, and poet, renowned today primarily for his literary nonsense, in poetry and prose. In his childhood he suffered from ill health. After a long decline in health, he died of heart disease. His principal areas of work as an artist were threefold: as a draughtsman employed to illustrate birds and animals; making coloured drawings during his journeys; as an author, Lear is principally known for his popular nonsense works, rather than as a travel writer. These show a great ability to use with relish the sound of real and invented English words. The poem ‘The Duck and the Kangaroo’ is a poem with a touch of light humour.

long (v) : want / wish very much

hop (v) : move by jumping

ride (n) : a short journey

the Dee and the Jelly Bo Lee (n) : wonderful places imagined by the poet

reflection (n) : thought / careful thought

bold (adj) : (here) frank

roo-matiz (n) : a disease that makes the muscles and joints painful

worsted socks : woolen socks

web feet (n) : feet that have toes connected by membrane

cloak (n) : a coat that protects from cold

1. Why did the Duck get bored in life? What did it want to do?

2. What problem did the Kangaroo find with the Duck? How was it solved?

3. Who was happy in the end? Why?

4. What is the underlying message in the poem?

II. Read the above poem once again and choreograph it as described here under.

Do you know how to process choreography?