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Question

Direction: Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.

Keats and Shelly were poets of the same period; in other words, they were _______.

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2023 (Tier-II) Paper 1 Previous Year Paper (26-Oct-2023) (Shift-1)
The correct answer is

contemporaries

Understanding the Question: Keats and Shelley

The question asks for a single word to describe two poets, Keats and Shelley, based on the fact that they lived during the same historical period. The phrase "in other words, they were _______" indicates that we need a synonym or a term that specifically refers to people who are alive or active during the same time.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at each option and see if it fits the description of people living and working in the same era:

  • contemporaries: This word means 'persons living at the same time'. If Keats and Shelley lived in the same period, they were indeed contemporaries.
  • co-writers: This term means that they wrote together on the same works. The question only states they were poets of the same period, not that they collaborated on their writing.
  • colleagues: This term typically refers to people who work together in the same profession, often within the same organization or team. While poets are in the same profession, "colleague" doesn't specifically convey the idea of living in the same time period without implying a closer working relationship.
  • associates: Similar to colleagues, 'associates' implies a connection or partnership, which is not necessarily true just because two people lived during the same era.

Identifying the Correct Term for Poets of the Same Period

The word that precisely defines people, like poets Keats and Shelley, who were living and active during the same historical time is "contemporaries". They shared the same period, experiencing similar historical and cultural influences, even if they didn't necessarily work together closely.

Detailed Explanation of the Correct Option

The term 'contemporaries' is derived from Latin, combining 'con-' (meaning 'together with') and 'tempus' (meaning 'time'). Therefore, contemporaries are individuals who exist or occur at the same time. For historical figures, especially artists or writers like Keats and Shelley, being contemporaries means they were active during the same era, influencing or being influenced by the cultural landscape of that period.

Considering that John Keats lived from 1795 to 1821 and Percy Bysshe Shelley lived from 1792 to 1822, their lives significantly overlapped. Both were prominent figures in the Romantic movement of English poetry during the early 19th century. Thus, they were contemporaries.

Term Meaning Fits Keats and Shelley as "of the same period"?
Contemporaries People living at the same time Yes
Co-writers People who write together No
Colleagues People working in the same profession (often together) Less specific; implies working together
Associates Partners or colleagues Less specific; implies a relationship

Based on the analysis, the most appropriate option to fill in the blank is 'contemporaries'.

Revision Table: Understanding Vocabulary

Word Meaning in Context Example Usage
Contemporaries People existing at the same time period. Shakespeare and Marlowe were contemporaries.
Co-writers People who collaborate on writing. They were co-writers on the screenplay.
Colleagues People working in the same profession or company. My colleagues in the literature department.
Associates Partners or fellow workers; connected individuals. Business associates met for lunch.

Additional Information on Literary Periods and Contemporaries

Understanding literary periods is important in the study of literature. A literary period is a span of time often characterized by shared styles, themes, and historical context. Poets and writers who are contemporaries within a specific period, like Keats and Shelley during the Romantic era, often share common influences, explore similar ideas, and may even interact with each other's work. Being contemporaries doesn't necessarily mean they were close friends or collaborators, but rather that they were part of the same cultural and historical landscape.

For example, other contemporaries of Keats and Shelley in the Romantic period included Lord Byron, William Wordsworth, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

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