The Tribe Of Ben And The Cavalier Poets Quiz

1. To Penshurst, by Ben Jonson, can be classified as a Country Estate poem. True or false?

True

False

"To Penshurst" is a poem written by Ben Jonson that describes the beauty and charm of Penshurst, a country estate in England. The poem praises the natural surroundings, the well-maintained gardens, and the peaceful atmosphere of the estate. It celebrates the harmony between nature and human intervention, highlighting the idyllic qualities of country life. Therefore, it can be classified as a Country Estate poem.

Explanation

"To Penshurst" is a poem written by Ben Jonson that describes the beauty and charm of Penshurst, a country estate in England. The poem praises the natural surroundings, the well-maintained gardens, and the peaceful atmosphere of the estate. It celebrates the harmony between nature and human intervention, highlighting the idyllic qualities of country life. Therefore, it can be classified as a Country Estate poem.

2. "Cavalier poets" is a broad description of a school of English poets of the 17th century, who came from the classes that supported which monarch during the English Civil War?

Charles I

Charles II

James I

James II

The Cavalier poets were a group of English poets who lived during the 17th century. They were known for their loyalty and support towards the monarchy, specifically Charles I. During the English Civil War, Charles I was the reigning monarch and faced opposition from the Parliamentarians. The Cavalier poets, including figures like Robert Herrick and Thomas Carew, expressed their support for Charles I through their poetry, often celebrating his reign and defending his actions. Therefore, the correct answer is Charles I.

Explanation

The Cavalier poets were a group of English poets who lived during the 17th century. They were known for their loyalty and support towards the monarchy, specifically Charles I. During the English Civil War, Charles I was the reigning monarch and faced opposition from the Parliamentarians. The Cavalier poets, including figures like Robert Herrick and Thomas Carew, expressed their support for Charles I through their poetry, often celebrating his reign and defending his actions. Therefore, the correct answer is Charles I.

3. The celebration of "May Day" has pagan origins. True or false?

True

False

The celebration of "May Day" does indeed have pagan origins. It is rooted in ancient Celtic and Germanic traditions that celebrated the arrival of spring and fertility. These pagan rituals were later incorporated into Christian celebrations, such as the Feast of St. Walpurga, which falls on May 1st. Today, May Day is still observed in many countries as a day to celebrate the arrival of spring and the labor movement.

Explanation

The celebration of "May Day" does indeed have pagan origins. It is rooted in ancient Celtic and Germanic traditions that celebrated the arrival of spring and fertility. These pagan rituals were later incorporated into Christian celebrations, such as the Feast of St. Walpurga, which falls on May 1st. Today, May Day is still observed in many countries as a day to celebrate the arrival of spring and the labor movement.

4. Which of the following poets is not a component of the Cavalier Poets?

Robert Herrick

Thomas Carew

Richard Lovelace

George Herbert

George Herbert is not a component of the Cavalier Poets because he was not associated with the group of poets who were known for their support of King Charles I during the English Civil War. The Cavalier Poets, including Robert Herrick, Thomas Carew, and Richard Lovelace, were known for their witty and elegant poetry that celebrated the pleasures of life and love. Herbert, on the other hand, was a metaphysical poet who focused on religious themes and was not part of the Cavalier Poets' circle.

Explanation

George Herbert is not a component of the Cavalier Poets because he was not associated with the group of poets who were known for their support of King Charles I during the English Civil War. The Cavalier Poets, including Robert Herrick, Thomas Carew, and Richard Lovelace, were known for their witty and elegant poetry that celebrated the pleasures of life and love. Herbert, on the other hand, was a metaphysical poet who focused on religious themes and was not part of the Cavalier Poets' circle.

5. Which of the following themes can be found in Robert Herrick's Corinna's Going a-Maying?

Beatus ille

Ubi sunt?

Carpe diem

Nihil novum sub sole

The correct answer is Carpe diem. Carpe diem is a Latin phrase that means "seize the day." This theme is prevalent in Robert Herrick's poem Corinna's Going a-Maying, as the poem encourages the reader to enjoy the present moment and make the most of life while they can. The poem celebrates the joys of youth, love, and nature, emphasizing the fleeting nature of time and the importance of living life to the fullest.

Explanation

The correct answer is Carpe diem. Carpe diem is a Latin phrase that means "seize the day." This theme is prevalent in Robert Herrick's poem Corinna's Going a-Maying, as the poem encourages the reader to enjoy the present moment and make the most of life while they can. The poem celebrates the joys of youth, love, and nature, emphasizing the fleeting nature of time and the importance of living life to the fullest.

6. The Cavalier Poets often referred to themselves as the "Fathers of Ben" in homage to their literary disciple, Ben Jonson. True or False?

True

False

The statement is false because the Cavalier Poets did not refer to themselves as the "Fathers of Ben" in homage to Ben Jonson. The term "Fathers of Ben" was actually used to refer to a group of poets who preceded Ben Jonson and influenced his work. The Cavalier Poets, on the other hand, were a group of poets who were active during the 17th century and were known for their loyalty to the monarchy and their witty and elegant poetry.

Explanation

The statement is false because the Cavalier Poets did not refer to themselves as the "Fathers of Ben" in homage to Ben Jonson. The term "Fathers of Ben" was actually used to refer to a group of poets who preceded Ben Jonson and influenced his work. The Cavalier Poets, on the other hand, were a group of poets who were active during the 17th century and were known for their loyalty to the monarchy and their witty and elegant poetry.

7. What are the "Penates" that appear in the following verse of To Penshurst? "Of thy Penates had been set on flame"

Roman household gods

Anglo-Saxon gods of war

Roman gods of love

Anglo-Saxon fertility gods

The "Penates" mentioned in the verse are Roman household gods. In Roman mythology, the Penates were deities who were believed to protect the home and family. They were typically worshipped in the form of small figurines or statues that were kept in the household shrine or hearth. The verse suggests that if the Penates had been set on flame, it would have been a significant loss or destruction to the home and its inhabitants.

Explanation

The "Penates" mentioned in the verse are Roman household gods. In Roman mythology, the Penates were deities who were believed to protect the home and family. They were typically worshipped in the form of small figurines or statues that were kept in the household shrine or hearth. The verse suggests that if the Penates had been set on flame, it would have been a significant loss or destruction to the home and its inhabitants.

8. In John Suckling's Out Upon It, I Have Loved, how long has the narrator loved his current conquest for?

3 hours

3 days

3 months

3 years

In John Suckling's "Out Upon It, I Have Loved," the narrator has loved his current conquest for 3 days. This suggests that the narrator's love is relatively new and may still be in the early stages of infatuation. The short duration of the narrator's love indicates that it is not a long-standing or deeply rooted feeling, but rather a more fleeting and transient emotion.

Explanation

In John Suckling's "Out Upon It, I Have Loved," the narrator has loved his current conquest for 3 days. This suggests that the narrator's love is relatively new and may still be in the early stages of infatuation. The short duration of the narrator's love indicates that it is not a long-standing or deeply rooted feeling, but rather a more fleeting and transient emotion.

9. In the following verse of the poem, what do the "orient pearls" refer to? "Against you come, some orient pearls unwept"

Tears

Dew

Moon shadows

Clouds

The phrase "orient pearls unwept" suggests that the pearls are located in the east (orient) and have not been shed or cried over (unwept). This imagery is commonly associated with dew, which forms during the early morning hours and is often referred to as "pearls" due to its small, round droplets. Therefore, the phrase "orient pearls" in the verse likely refers to dew.

Explanation

The phrase "orient pearls unwept" suggests that the pearls are located in the east (orient) and have not been shed or cried over (unwept). This imagery is commonly associated with dew, which forms during the early morning hours and is often referred to as "pearls" due to its small, round droplets. Therefore, the phrase "orient pearls" in the verse likely refers to dew.

10. Richard Lovelace spent seven weeks in Gate House prison, London in 1642. Here, he wrote To Althea, from Prison. What does the Greek word αληθεια (aletheia) mean?

Truth

Freedom

Pain

Beauty

The Greek word "aletheia" means truth. In the context of Richard Lovelace's poem, "To Althea, from Prison," the word truth is significant as it reflects the poet's desire for honesty and authenticity. Despite being imprisoned, Lovelace expresses his belief in the power of truth and the freedom it brings. The word choice also adds depth to the poem's themes of love, courage, and resilience in the face of adversity.

Explanation

The Greek word "aletheia" means truth. In the context of Richard Lovelace's poem, "To Althea, from Prison," the word truth is significant as it reflects the poet's desire for honesty and authenticity. Despite being imprisoned, Lovelace expresses his belief in the power of truth and the freedom it brings. The word choice also adds depth to the poem's themes of love, courage, and resilience in the face of adversity.