Brief Solution (2015-2020)|History of English Literature|2nd year

 

Hon's 2nd Year
Department of English
Brief Solution (2015-2020)
History of English Literature

2015

(a) Why is the year 1066 important in the study of English literary History?
Ans: This year is known as a dark age in English because there was no remarkable literary production during this year. So this year is important in the study of English literary history.
(b) How many tales each pilgrim had to tell in "The Canterbury Tales"?
Ans: Each pilgrim had to tell four tales in "The Canterbury Tales", two tales on the way to Canterbury and two more on the way back. 
(c) What kind of book is Milton's Areopagitica?
Ans: It is a critical work.
(d) What is Globe Theatre?
Ans: In association with Shakespeare's playing company the "Lord Chamberlain's Men", a theatre was established in London in 1599 and it is called the Globe Theatre.
(e) Why is 1798 a landmark in the history of English literature? 

Ans: With the publication of "Lyrical Ballads" in 1798, Romantic era began. That is why the year is a landmark in the history of English literature.
(f) What is "Drama of Ideas"?
Ans: Drama of ideas is a form of drama in which certain ideas or theories are presented.
(g) When did the Restoration take place and who was restored to English Throne? 
Ans: The Restoration took place in 1660 and King Charles II was restored to English Throne.
(h) Which age is known as Augustan Age in English literature?
Ans: The second part of Neoclassical Period (1702-1745) is known as Augustan Age in English literature because the writers of this period imitated the style and elegance of the writers who wrote in Italy during the reign of the Emperor, Augustus.
(i) Who are called the pioneers of English novel?
Ans: Samuel Richardson, Henry Fielding, Lawrence Sterne and Daniel Defoe are called the pioneers of English novel.
(j) What was the national identity of W.B Yeats?
Ans: W. B Yeats was an Irish.
(k) What is "Oxford Movement"?
Ans: The Oxford Movement is essentially a religious movement. As the movement started in the University of Oxford, it is called the Oxford Movement.
(l) What are the two cities referred to in the novel "A Tale of Two Cities"?
Ans: The two cities referred to in the novel "A Tale of Two Cities" are London and Paris.

2016

(a) Who is called the father of English poetry?
Ans: Geoffrey Chaucer is called the father of English poetry.
(b) Who wrote Utopia in Latin since English had no prestige outside England?
Ans: Sir Thomas More wrote Utopia in Latin since English had no prestige outside England.
(c) Which royal dynasty was established in the resolution of the so-called War of the Roses and continued through the reign of Elizabeth 1?
Ans: The royal dynasty was established in the resolution of the so-called War of the Roses and continued through the reign of Elizabeth 1 is Tudor.
(d) Name four plays written by William Shakespeare?
Ans: Othello, Hamlet, Macbeth. The Tempest are the four plays written by William Shakespeare.
(e) What is Milton's purpose behind writing "Paradise Lost"?
Ans: "To justify the ways of God towards men" is the purpose of Milton behind writing "Paradise Lost". 
(f) What is "The Pilgrim's Progress"?
Ans: "The Pilgrim's Progress" is one of the most significant works of religious literature written by John Bunyan.
(g) What is satire?
Ans: Satire is a literary attack on the follies and vices of an individual or a society with a view to correcting them through laughter and ridicule.
(h) Why is Alexander Pope famous in English literature?
Ans: Alexander Pope is famous for his satiric outlook in English literature.
(i) In which year did French Revolution take place?
Ans: The French Revolution took place in 1789.
(j) Who defined poetry as "Spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings"?
Ans: William Wordsworth defined poetry as "Spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings".
(k) What signifies the Victorian age?
Ans: Steadiness, improvement, social reformation along with serious miseries such as poverty, injustice and social disorder signify the Victorian Age.
(l) Who are called the Brontes?
Ans: The three sisters Charlotte Bronte, Anne Bronte and Emily Bronte are called the Brontes.

2017

(a) Who was Caedmon?
Ans: Caedmon was the first known poet of Anglo-Saxon Period.
(b) What is "Waiting for Godot"?
Ans: "Waiting for Godot" is an absurd drama written by Samuel Beckett.
(c) Write down the names of four metaphysical poets.
Ans: The names of four metaphysical poets are John Donne, Andrew Marvell, George Herbert and Henry Vaughan.
(d) What is 'comedy of humours'?
Ans: Comedy of humoours is a form of comedy in which the characters' actions are stated strongly revealing their sadness, happiness, pessimism and optimism.
(e) Name the most celebrated writing of Jonathan Swift.
Ans: "Gulliver's Travels" is the most celebrated writing of Jonathan Swift.
(f) Whose poems make up "Lyrical Ballads"? 
Ans: The poems William Wordsworth and Coleridge make up "Lyrical Ballads".
(g) Who are called the "Lake Poets"?
Ans: William Wordsworth, S.T Coleridge and Robert Southey are called the "Lake Poets".
(h) Who was Oliver Cromwell?
Ans: Oliver Cromwell was a puritan leader and came to the power of England in 1649.
(i) What was the slogan of French Revolution?
Ans: The slogan of French Revolution was "Liberty, Equality and Fraternity",
(j) Name two of the major literary creations of Edmund Spenser.
Ans: The Faerie Queene and Amorelti are the major literary creations of Edmund Spenser.
(k) What is 'Pamela'?
Ans: Pamela' is the first of the novels written by Samuel Richardson.
(l) Who wrote 'Robinson Crusoe'? 

Ans: Daniel Defoe wrote 'Robinson Crusoe.

2018

(a) When did the Old English Period begin?
Ans: The Old English Period began in the 5th century.
(b) Who is the first translator of Bible?
Ans: John Wycliffe is often considered as the first translator of Bible.
(c) What is Black Death?
Ans: Black death is a severe epidemic that occurred in Asia and Europe in the 14th and killes an estimated quarter of the population.
(d) Who wrote "Morted' Arthur"? 

Ans: Sir Thomas Malory wrote "Morted Arthur"

(e) What is Gunpowder plot?
Ans: Gunpowder plot was the conspiracy of English Roman Catholics to blow up parliament and King James I, his queen and his eldest son on November 5, 1605.
(f) What is "Canterbury Tales"?
Ans: "The Canterbury Tales" is the best English work of Chaucer.
(g) Which age is known as the age of decadence?
Ans: The Jacobean period is known as the age of decadence.
(h) What is Victorian conflict?
Ans: Victorian conflict refers to the conflicts of morality, technology and industry, faith and doubt, imperialism.
(i) Who popularized the comedies of manners?
Ans: William Congreve popularized the comedies of manners.
(j) Which historical movement influenced the English Romantic Poetry?
Ans: The French Revolution influenced the English Romantic Poetry.
(k) Who are prominent poets of modern age?
Ans: The prominent poets of modern age are W.B Yeats, T.S Eliot, Dylan Thomas, W.H Auden, G.M Hopkins and Rudyard Kipling.
(l) When did the Oxford Movement begin?
Ans: The Oxford Movement began in 19th century.

2019

(a) What is the masterpiece of Geoffrey Chaucer?
Ans: "The Canterbury Tales" is the masterpiece of Geoffrey Chaucer.
(b) Why is 1798 a landmark in the history of English literature?
Ans: The Romantic era started in 1798 with the publication of Lyrical Ballads by S.T Coleridge and William Wordsworth.
(c) What is the first tragedy of English literature?
Ans: 'Gorboduc' by Thomas Sackvile and Thomas Norton is the first tragedy of English literature.
(d) Which poem is considered as the first English epic? 

Ans: Beowulf is considered as the first English epic.
(e) Name the University Wits?
Ans: Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Kyd, Thomas Nashe, Robert Greene, John Lyly, George Peele and Thomas Lodge are regarded as the "University Wits".
(f) Who write 'Gorboduc"?
Ans: Thomas Norton and Sackvile write 'Gorboduc'.
(g) In which year did the glorious revolution occur?
Ans: The glorious revolution occurred in 1688.
(h) Who is called the Poet's poet?
Ans: Edmund Spenser is called the Poet's poet.
(i) How many tales each pilgrim had to tell in "The Canterbury Tales"?
Ans: Each pilgrim had to tell four tales in "The Canterbury Tales", two tales on the way to Canterbury and two more on the way back.
(j) What kind of book is Milton's Areopagitica?
Ans: Milton's Areopagitica is a critical essay.
(k) Who is called the father of English prose?
Ans: John Wycliffe is called the father of English prose.
(l) Write the names of three modern poets.
Ans: The names of three modern poets are W.B Yeats, T.S Eliot and Dylan Thomas.

2020

(a) What type of writing is Beowulf?
Ans: 'Beowulf is an epic.
(b) Which play is considered the first English comedy?
Ans: "Ralph Roister Doister", a sixteenth century play is considered the first English comedy.
(c) Who is the writer of "The Spanish Tragedy"?
Ans: Thomas Kyd is the writer of "The Spanish Tragedy"
(d) Who was the first translator of the Bible into English?
Ans: John Wycliffe was the first translator of the Bible into English.
(e) When did the age of Chaucer begin?
Ans: The approximate duration of the age of Chaucer is from 1340-1400. 
(f) Who is called the father of English poetry?
Ans: Geoffrey Chaucer is called the father of English poetry.
(g) When did the "French Revolution" take place?
Ans: The French Revolution took place in 1789 in France.
(h) What is Reformation?
Ans: The Reformation was a religious movement based on the opposition of the people to the claims of Papal authority and the Church of Rome.
(i) Who wrote "The Spectator"?
Ans: Joseph Addison and Sir Richard Steele wrote "The Spectator".
(j) Name two writers of the Augustan Age?
Ans: Alexander Pope and Edward Young are the two writers of the Augustan Age.
(k) What is meant by "Victorian Compromise"?
Ans: Victorian Compromise means the compromise between science and religion, faith and doubt which were wide spread in the Victorian age.
(l) What was the nationality of G. B Shaw?
Ans: The nationality of G. B Shaw was both Irish and British.