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270+ Literary Criticism Solved MCQs
Chapters
Chapter: Preface to the Plays of Shakespeare
1.
Shakespeare’s drama reflects
A.
life
B.
nature
C.
chaos
D.
order
Answer»
A. life
2.
The object of all criticism according to Johnson is to make the obscure and the
confused
A.
clear and understood
B.
focused and precise
C.
unobscured
D.
orderly
Answer»
A. clear and understood
3.
Johnson tries Shakespeare by the test of
A.
Coherence and cogence
B.
relevance and contemporariness
C.
relativity, clarity and imaginativity
D.
time, Nature and Universality
Answer»
D. time, Nature and Universality
4.
Shakespeare’s characters portrays
A.
humanity
B.
nature
C.
art
D.
truth
Answer»
A. humanity
5.
Who is the 'father of English poetry', the well of English undefiled according to
Arnold?
A.
Milton
B.
Dante
C.
Shakespeare
D.
Chaucer
Answer»
D. Chaucer
6.
Samuel Johnson defended Shakespeare's use of the
A.
comedy
B.
tragedy
C.
tragi-comedy
D.
none of the above
Answer»
C. tragi-comedy
7.
The defect or fault in Shakespeare according to Johnson is that
A.
He sacrifices virtue to convenience
B.
He is so much more careful to please than to instruct
C.
He seems to write without any moral purpose.
D.
All of the above
Answer»
A. He sacrifices virtue to convenience
8.
Johnson said that Shakespeare showed no regard to
A.
The unity of time and place
B.
The unity of action
C.
Characterization
D.
Poetic language
Answer»
A. The unity of time and place
9.
According to Johnson what type of drama did Shakespeare write with much labour?
A.
Comedy
B.
Tragedy
C.
Tragi-comedy
D.
None of the above
Answer»
B. Tragedy
10.
Samuel Johnson was a writer of the
A.
17th Century
B.
18th Century
C.
19th Century
D.
20th Century
Answer»
B. 18th Century
11.
Johnson said that Shakespeare often surpassed expectation or desire when he wrote
A.
Comedy
B.
tragedy
C.
Tragi-comedy
D.
All of the above
Answer»
A. Comedy
12.
Samuel Johnson’s Preface to Shakespeare was published in _________.
A.
1756
B.
1770
C.
1800
D.
1765
Answer»
D. 1765
13.
In Preface to Shakespeare, Johnson defended Shakespeare’s use of _________.
A.
tragic-comedy
B.
tragedy
C.
comedy
D.
None of the above
Answer»
A. tragic-comedy
14.
“Shakespeare was the man, who, of all modern and perhaps ancient poets, had the largest and most comprehensive soul” was said by –
A.
Samuel Johnson
B.
Matthew Arnold
C.
John Dryden
D.
Boyle
Answer»
C. John Dryden
15.
Johnson is of the opinion that Shakespeare writes without moral purpose and is more
careful to please than to ___________.
A.
dictate
B.
instruct
C.
sacrifice
D.
inform
Answer»
B. instruct
16.
Johnson praises Shakespeare and comments that his drama is the mirror of
__________.
A.
himself
B.
nature
C.
life
D.
his family members
Answer»
C. life
17.
The two modes of imitation according to Dr. Johnson are
A.
Tragedy and comedy
B.
Tragedy and tragicomedy
C.
Tragicomedy and Comedy
D.
None of the above
Answer»
A. Tragedy and comedy
18.
Johnson insists that Shakespeare’s mode of composition
A.
Was inconsistent
B.
Lacked seriousness
C.
Remained the same
D.
Changed constantly
Answer»
C. Remained the same
19.
Shakespeare’s first defect according to Johnson was that Shakespeare
A.
Sacrifices virtue to convenience
B.
He disregarded the distinction of time and place
C.
His plots are loose
D.
His declamations are cold and weak
Answer»
A. Sacrifices virtue to convenience
20.
According to Johnson, the plays of Shakespeare were originally classified into
A.
Comedies and tragedies
B.
Comedies, tragedies and histories
C.
Comedies, tragedies and love stories
D.
None of the above
Answer»
B. Comedies, tragedies and histories
21.
In the violation of Unities, Johnson
A.
Criticizes Shakespeare
B.
Praises Shakespeare
C.
Follows Shakespeare
D.
Defends Shakespeare
Answer»
D. Defends Shakespeare
22.
According to Johnson, Shakespeare presented nature
A.
Faithfully
B.
Artificially
C.
Foolishly
D.
Unrealistically
Answer»
A. Faithfully
23.
When we read a Shakespearean play, we are not bothered by consideration of
A.
Characterization
B.
Dialogue
C.
Time and Place
D.
Humour and Pathos
Answer»
C. Time and Place
24.
Which of the following critics preferred Shakespeare's comedies to his tragedies?
A.
Dryden
B.
Pope
C.
Johnson
D.
Addison
Answer»
C. Johnson
25.
Regarding the observance of the three unities in a play, Dr. Johnson's view is that
A.
Only the Unity of Time should be observed
B.
Only the Unity of Action should be observed
C.
Only the Unity of Place should be observed
D.
All the three unities should be observed
Answer»
B. Only the Unity of Action should be observed
26.
The dialogue of Shakespeare are sometimes spoilt by:
A.
Artificiality
B.
Difficult Diction
C.
Ruggedness
D.
None of the above
Answer»
C. Ruggedness
27.
Poetic justice is:
A.
Followed by Shakespeare
B.
Not at all followed by Shakespeare
C.
Criticizes by Shakesperae
D.
Not always followed by Shakespeare
Answer»
D. Not always followed by Shakespeare
28.
Shakespeare has no heroes, his scenes are occupied by
A.
Kings
B.
Queens
C.
Men
D.
Fairies
Answer»
C. Men
29.
Shakespeare approximates the remote, and familiarizes the
A.
Marvelous
B.
Wonderful
C.
Beautiful
D.
Magnificent
Answer»
B. Wonderful
30.
Shakespeare’s drama is the mirror of
A.
human beings
B.
peace
C.
remorse
D.
life
Answer»
D. life
31.
Dennis and Rymer think Shakespeare’s Romans are not sufficiently
A.
Brave
B.
Roman
C.
Strong
D.
Loyal
Answer»
B. Roman
32.
A quibble is to Shakespeare, what luminous vapours are to
A.
Adventurers
B.
Farmers
C.
Sailors
D.
Travellers
Answer»
D. Travellers
33.
Shakespeare had no regard to the unities of
A.
action and place
B.
time and action
C.
time and place
D.
action and theme
Answer»
B. time and action
34.
For Johnson, in Shakespeare’s works, even when the agency is supernatural the
dialogue is level with ___.
A.
Tragedy
B.
Life
C.
Nature
D.
Character
Answer»
B. Life
35.
This, therefore is the praise of Shakespeare, that his drama is the __ of life.
A.
Reflection
B.
Contemplation
C.
Mirror
D.
Study
Answer»
C. Mirror
36.
Shakespeare has united the powers of exciting laughter and sorrow not only in one mind, but in one __.
A.
Composition
B.
Narration
C.
Genre
D.
Action
Answer»
A. Composition
37.
The end of writing is to instruct, the end of poetry is to instruct by __.
A.
Writing
B.
Composition
C.
Pleasing
D.
Passion
Answer»
C. Pleasing
38.
An action which ended happily to the principal persons is a __.
A.
Comedy
B.
Tragedy
C.
History
D.
Tragi- comedy
Answer»
A. Comedy
39.
Tragedy was not in those times a poem of more general dignity or elevation than __.
A.
History
B.
Tragi-comedy
C.
Comedy
D.
Drama
Answer»
D. Drama
40.
According to Dr. Johnson, authors are rated by their best when they are _____.
A.
In their prime
B.
Matured
C.
Old
D.
Dead
Answer»
C. Old
Chapter: Preface to the Lyrical Ballads - William WordsWorth
41.
For Wordsworth the function of poetry is to give
A.
joy
B.
happiness
C.
catharsis
D.
pleasure
Answer»
D. pleasure
42.
To Wordsworth, poetry is a spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings, emotions
recollected in
A.
images
B.
tranquility
C.
simple life
D.
sensation
Answer»
B. tranquility
43.
Wordworth’s poet is a man speaking to
A.
everyone
B.
his readers
C.
men
D.
nature
Answer»
C. men
44.
The function of poetry is both to instruct and delight, but for Wordsworth it is to give
A.
exaltation
B.
pleasure
C.
dictation
D.
purgation
Answer»
B. pleasure
45.
The dominant theme of Wordsworth’s preface is
A.
poetic diction
B.
poetic argument
C.
poetic criticism
D.
poetic license
Answer»
A. poetic diction
46.
Wordsworth’s preface declares the dawn of
A.
English Romantic Movement
B.
British Romantic Movement
C.
European Romantic Movement
D.
Anglo-saxon Romantic Movement
Answer»
A. English Romantic Movement
47.
Wordsworth’s preface can be seen as a forceful plea for simplicity both in
A.
idea and feeling
B.
sentiment an d exposition
C.
expression and elucidation
D.
theme and treatment
Answer»
D. theme and treatment
48.
Wordsworth was primarily
A.
a critic
B.
a poet
C.
an essayist
D.
a philosopher
Answer»
B. a poet
49.
The Preface to the Lyrical Ballads was published in
A.
1798
B.
1799
C.
1800
D.
1801
Answer»
C. 1800
50.
The Principal object in the Lyrical Ballads was to choose incidents and situations from
A.
urban life
B.
agrarian life
C.
common life
D.
genteel life
Answer»
C. common life
51.
Poems of value are produced by a man who possess more than usual organic
sensibility and had also thought
A.
in tranquility
B.
long and deep
C.
passionately
D.
calmly
Answer»
B. long and deep
52.
In the Lyrical Ballads, Wordsworth's purpose was to imitate and adopt the very language of
A.
the neoclassics
B.
metre
C.
men
D.
the classics
Answer»
C. men
53.
Which of the following is not true?
A.
Lyrical Ballads marked the beginning of the Romantic Age
B.
Wordsworth believed that simple language creates better poems than complicated language
C.
Nature is a savage force that needs to be conquered by technology
D.
Lyrical Ballads received mixed reviews when it was originally published in1798
Answer»
C. Nature is a savage force that needs to be conquered by technology
54.
In what ways is the Lyrical Ballads different from much of the poetry that was popular when it was published?
A.
It features poems that focus on nature and rural community
B.
It calls for rigid poetic forms
C.
It sought for poems that are more complicated
D.
It sought to stimulate the reasoning mind rather than produce an emotional response
Answer»
A. It features poems that focus on nature and rural community
55.
Wordsworth justifies the use of metre and denounces the ____________ of the NeoClassical poets for their artificiality.
A.
verse
B.
rhyme
C.
poetic diction
D.
tradition
Answer»
C. poetic diction
56.
Wordsworth quoted ____________ who said, “Poetry is the most philosophical of all
writings”.
A.
Aristotle
B.
Horace
C.
Homer
D.
Virgil
Answer»
A. Aristotle
57.
An Appendix on Poetic Diction was added to the Preface to the Lyrical Ballads
in_____.
A.
1800
B.
1798
C.
1805
D.
1802
Answer»
D. 1802
58.
According to Wordsworth the understanding of the reader must necessarily be in some
degree…
A.
Enlightened
B.
Disheartened
C.
Motivated
D.
Contentment
Answer»
A. Enlightened
59.
Wordsworth said that Poetry is the image of
A.
Man and Science
B.
Man and Society
C.
Man and Nature
D.
Nature and Science
Answer»
C. Man and Nature
60.
According to Wordsworth Poetry is the first and last of all…
A.
Wisdom
B.
Truth
C.
Inspiration
D.
Knowledge
Answer»
D. Knowledge
61.
Wordsworth gives much importance to the ________ of poetry
A.
Fancy
B.
Language
C.
Feelings
D.
Imagination
Answer»
B. Language
62.
Who comments, “the end of writing is to instruct, The end of poetry is to instruct by
pleasing”
A.
Shakespeare
B.
Arnold
C.
Dr. Johnson
D.
None of the above
Answer»
C. Dr. Johnson
63.
The only difference between the language of Prose and the language of Poetry
is_________
A.
Use of Rhythm
B.
Use of Words
C.
Use of feelings
D.
Use of Metre
Answer»
D. Use of Metre
64.
According to Wordsworth ____________ is not essential to poetry
A.
Metre
B.
Imagination
C.
Talent
D.
Rhyme
Answer»
A. Metre
65.
A primary function of poetry according to Wordsworth is to give ___________ for his
readers
A.
Knowledge
B.
Pleasure
C.
Idea
D.
Truth
Answer»
B. Pleasure
66.
Poetry is “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” according to
A.
Arnold
B.
T. S Eliot
C.
Johnson
D.
Wordsworth
Answer»
D. Wordsworth
67.
Wordsworth chosen the various aspects of __________
A.
Royal and rich life
B.
War and peace life
C.
Humble and Rustic life
D.
Nature and poets life
Answer»
C. Humble and Rustic life
68.
The Poetic Composition take place in ______ stages
A.
Four
B.
Eight
C.
Two
D.
Six
Answer»
A. Four
69.
“Poetry is emotions recollected in tranquility”. Who has defined poetry in these
words?
A.
Shelley
B.
Matthew Arnold
C.
S. T. Coleridge
D.
Wordsworth
Answer»
D. Wordsworth
70.
Rustic life is more noble and permanent because they are connected with the objects
of_______
A.
Real life
B.
Truth
C.
Nature
D.
Fancy
Answer»
C. Nature
71.
Wordsworth remarks that Poetry and Painting are
A.
Sisters
B.
Siblings
C.
Brother
D.
Children
Answer»
A. Sisters
72.
Wordsworth states, “Poetry sheds no tears such as Angels weep, but natural and
A.
earthly tears”
B.
childish tears”
C.
human tears”
D.
mournful tears”
Answer»
C. human tears”
73.
Wordsworth believes that a poet is,
A.
“a man speaking to poets”
B.
“a man speaking to men”
C.
“a man speaking to human”
D.
“a man speaking to God”
Answer»
B. “a man speaking to men”
74.
Wordsworth feels that Poetry is the image of
A.
human beings and nature
B.
men and women
C.
God and human
D.
man and nature
Answer»
D. man and nature
75.
The language of every good poem can in no respect differ from that of good __.
A.
Drama
B.
Prose
C.
Novel
D.
Tragi- comedy
Answer»
B. Prose
76.
Wordsworth said the poet should use the __ for removing what would otherwise be
painful or disgusting in the passion.
A.
Principal of selection
B.
Metrical composition
C.
Personification of abstract ideas
D.
Real language of men
Answer»
A. Principal of selection
77.
Who said that poetry is the most philosophic of all writing?
A.
William Wordsworth
B.
William Shakespeare
C.
Aristotle
D.
Matthew Arnold
Answer»
C. Aristotle
78.
In what ways is Lyrical Ballads different from much of the poetry that was popular when it was published?
A.
It calls for even more strict and rigid poetic forms
B.
It features poems that focus on nature and rural communities
C.
It contains poems that are more complicated and academic in tone.
D.
It sought to stimulate the reader’s reasoning mind.
Answer»
B. It features poems that focus on nature and rural communities
79.
According to Wordsworth, poetic diction has
A.
Rules
B.
No rules
C.
Rustic language
D.
Simple language
Answer»
B. No rules
80.
According to Wordsworth, prose and poetry differs by
A.
Style
B.
Emotion
C.
Preface
D.
Metre
Answer»
D. Metre
Chapter: The Study Poetry - Matthew Arnold
81.
only the best poetry according to Arnold is capable of performing its ___
A.
duty
B.
job
C.
task
D.
systems
Answer»
C. task
82.
according to Arnold, poetry interprets life in ____ ways.
A.
one
B.
two
C.
three
D.
four
Answer»
B. two
83.
the first great principle of criticism emancipated by Arnold is __________
A.
Disinterestedness
B.
Detachment
C.
Discernment
D.
Disaffectation
Answer»
A. Disinterestedness
84.
Poetry according to Arnold, attaches its emotion to the
A.
theme
B.
style
C.
idea
D.
diction
Answer»
D. diction
85.
According to Arnold, the scantiest and frailest of classics in English poetry is
A.
Gray
B.
Pope
C.
Burns
D.
Milton
Answer»
A. Gray
86.
Whom did Arnold regard as the high priest of prose and reason
A.
Milton
B.
Gray
C.
Dryden
D.
Pope
Answer»
D. Pope
87.
In the study of poetry Arnold writes that we have to turn to poetry to
A.
understand life and to sustain us
B.
interpret life and to control us
C.
interpret life and to console and sustain us
D.
understand life and to strengthen us
Answer»
C. interpret life and to console and sustain us
88.
What confuses the distinctions between excellent and inferior, sound and unsound, true and untrue or only half-true in poetry?
A.
Charlatanism
B.
Philistinism
C.
Estimates
D.
High seriousness
Answer»
A. Charlatanism
89.
The definition of poetry as enunciated by Matthew Arnold in 'The Study of Poetry" is
A.
A spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings
B.
A criticism of life, governed by the laws of poetic truth and poetic beauty
C.
A just and lively image of human nature, to delight and instruct mankind
D.
An imitation of an action that is serious, complete and of certain magnitude
Answer»
B. A criticism of life, governed by the laws of poetic truth and poetic beauty
90.
What has the power of forming, sustaining and delighting us as nothing else can?
A.
Excellent prose
B.
Criticism
C.
The best poetry
D.
Drama
Answer»
C. The best poetry
91.
According to Matthew Arnold, Chaucer is not one of the great classics because
A.
His poetry does not transcend and efface the poetry of Catholic Christendom
B.
His verse lacks liquidness and fluidity.
C.
his poetry lacks virtue of manner and movement
D.
None of the above
Answer»
D. None of the above
92.
According to Matthew Arnold, poetry is –
A.
a criticism of life
B.
spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings
C.
an escape from personality
D.
the sensuous way of expression
Answer»
A. a criticism of life
93.
Who, according to Arnold is the father of English poetry?
A.
Shakespeare
B.
Wordsworth
C.
Chaucer
D.
Dryden
Answer»
B. Wordsworth
94.
In The Study of Poetry, Arnold puts stress on _______________ in poetry.
A.
bright humour
B.
high seriousness
C.
sensuousness
D.
want of seriousness
Answer»
B. high seriousness
95.
The ‘touchstone method’ was propagated by –
A.
Matthew Arnold
B.
T.S. Eliot
C.
F.R. Leavis
D.
William Wordsworth
Answer»
A. Matthew Arnold
96.
Arnold regards Dryden and Pope as the Classics of English __________.
A.
fiction
B.
poetry
C.
prose
D.
morals
Answer»
C. prose
97.
“The best poetry will be found to have a power of forming, sustaining and delighting
us, as nothing else can” was said by –
A.
William Wordsworth
B.
Matthew Arnold
C.
John Dryden
D.
Alexander Pope
Answer»
B. Matthew Arnold
98.
Middleton Murry had criticized the critical work of –
A.
Matthew Arnold
B.
F.R. Leavis
C.
T.S. Eliot
D.
Samuel Johnson
Answer»
C. T.S. Eliot
99.
What attaches its emotion to facts according to Arnold?
A.
Poetry
B.
Prose
C.
Religion
D.
Tradition
Answer»
C. Religion
100.
How should we conceive poetry as advocated by Arnold?
A.
Worthily and Highly
B.
Highly and Mightily
C.
Worthily and Prayerful
D.
Mighty and Powerful
Answer»
A. Worthily and Highly
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