Eighteenth-century Poetry Quiz

Elegy Written in a Country Courtyard is indeed written in rhymed quatrains. This means that the poem consists of four-line stanzas, with a specific rhyme scheme. The use of rhymed quatrains helps to create a sense of rhythm and structure within the poem, enhancing the overall musicality and flow of the verses.

The correct answer is true because in The Deserted Village, Oliver Goldsmith portrays rural life in a positive and idealized manner. He romanticizes the simplicity, beauty, and harmony of the countryside, highlighting the virtues of the rural community and lamenting the loss of this idyllic way of life. Through vivid descriptions and nostalgic imagery, Goldsmith presents a sentimental and idealized view of rural life, making it clear that he believes it to be an ideal and desirable existence.

Thomas Gray was indeed offered the post of Poet Laureate in 1757, but he declined the honor. This indicates that the statement "In 1757, Thomas Gray was offered the post of Poet Laureate, but he rejected the honor" is true.

Thomas Gray's Elegy Written in a Country Courtyard was first published in 1751.

Horace Walpole is the correct answer because he was a friend of Thomas Gray and played a significant role in popularizing Gray's poem, Elegy Written in a Country Courtyard, among the literary circles in London. Walpole, a prominent writer and politician, was known for his influential connections and his support of Gray's work helped bring it to a wider audience.

The correct answer is "All of the above". The poem Elegy Written in a Country Courtyard does not include an invocation, mourners, or shepherds. An invocation is a prayer or request for guidance, usually addressed to a deity, which is not present in the poem. Mourners, who are typically present in elegies to express grief and sorrow, are also absent. Additionally, shepherds, a common figure in pastoral poetry, are not mentioned in the text. Therefore, none of these features can be found in the poem.

In The Village, by George Crabbe, rural life is not idealized. The poem provides a realistic depiction of the hardships and struggles faced by the rural community, highlighting the poverty, disease, and social inequality that existed in the countryside. Crabbe presents a more nuanced and gritty portrayal of rural life, challenging the romanticized notions often associated with it.

False. The narrator of Elegy Written in a Country Courtyard is not cold and distant like most Augustan narrators.

Syncope is the correct answer because it refers to the poetic device where letters or sounds within certain words are omitted. This can be seen in the example given, "glimm'ring," where the letter "e" is omitted. Syncope adds a sense of rhythm and brevity to the language, creating a more poetic and artistic effect.

The correct answer is "gem, flower". This is because the verses are describing how many beautiful and valuable things go unnoticed or unappreciated. The first verse talks about how many gems of purest ray serene are hidden in the dark unfathomable caves of the ocean. The second verse continues this theme by saying that many flowers are born to blush unseen and waste their sweetness on the desert air. Both gems and flowers are symbolic of beauty and value, and the verses suggest that their beauty is often overlooked or ignored.