Easter 1916 Poem By W. B. Yeats! Quiz

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  • 1/18 Questions

    When was the poem written?

    • 1906
    • 1916
    • 1926
    • 1918
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About This Quiz

Are you familiar with the "Easter 1916" poem by W. B. Yeats? Can you pass the quiz based on the same poem? We have prepared this quiz to test your knowledge of Yeat's Easter 1916 poem, and we'll ask you for information such as when the poem was written, what occurs in the first stanza, what terrible beauty means, and how many people Yeats talks to about in his poem. Do you think you know the answer to all these questions? Play the quiz and see how you score.

Easter 1916 Poem By W. B. Yeats! Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    What is sleep a symbol of?

    • Death

    • Laziness

    • Ignorance

    • Tiredness

    Correct Answer
    A. Death
    Explanation
    Sleep is often seen as a symbol of death because during sleep, our consciousness and awareness of the world around us are temporarily suspended. Just like death, sleep is a state of rest and inactivity where our bodies and minds rejuvenate and recharge. Additionally, sleep is often associated with a sense of peace and tranquility, much like the idea of death as a peaceful eternal rest.

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  • 3. 

    How many people of importance does Yeats refer to in his poem?

    • 6

    • 8

    • 9

    • 12

    Correct Answer
    A. 6
    Explanation
    Yeats refers to six people of importance in his poem.

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  • 4. 

    Yeats uses the image of nature and focuses on a stone, but what do the stone and nature symbolize?

    • Immobility vs. change

    • Hard vs. soft

    • Cold vs. warm

    • Rich vs poor

    Correct Answer
    A. Immobility vs. change
    Explanation
    Yeats uses the image of a stone to symbolize immobility and nature to symbolize change. The stone represents something solid, unchanging, and permanent, while nature represents the constant flux and transformation of the world. This juxtaposition of immobility and change highlights the contrasting forces at play in the poem, and perhaps suggests a tension between stability and impermanence in life.

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  • 5. 

    In the first stanza, what does Yeats describes?

    • His dear friends

    • His family

    • Insignificant people

    • Rich people

    Correct Answer
    A. Insignificant people
    Explanation
    Yeats describes insignificant people in the first stanza.

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  • 6. 

    The term "terrible beauty" is a contraction of two contradictory words which in literary terms is called a _____. 

    • Metaphor

    • Oxymoron

    • Allegory

    • Irony

    Correct Answer
    A. Oxymoron
    Explanation
    The term "terrible beauty" is a contradiction in itself, as "terrible" and "beauty" are opposite concepts. This literary device is known as an oxymoron, which is the combination of two contradictory words or ideas. In this case, the oxymoron emphasizes the conflicting nature of the concept being described, creating a vivid and memorable image for the reader.

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  • 7. 

    How does Yeats feel about the woman mentioned at the beginning of the stanza?

    • She is naive to think words are enough to fight the British

    • She is a tough lady with an iron fist

    • She is hot

    • She is ugly 

    Correct Answer
    A. She is naive to think words are enough to fight the British
    Explanation
    The correct answer suggests that Yeats feels that the woman mentioned at the beginning of the stanza is naive for thinking that words alone are sufficient to fight against the British.

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  • 8. 

    Who is represented by the stone?

    • Britain = forceful occupation

    • Ireland = avoiding change and conflict

    • Northern Ireland = the poor man's weapon

    • None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. Ireland = avoiding change and conflict
    Explanation
    The stone represents Ireland as avoiding change and conflict. This implies that Ireland prefers to maintain the status quo and avoid any form of confrontation or upheaval. This could be interpreted as a reflection of Ireland's historical struggle for independence and its desire to maintain stability and peace in the face of political and social challenges.

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  • 9. 

    If all four people in this stanza are described negatively, then why are they included in a poem about the Easter Rising?

    • The Easter Rising changed them and made them use force instead of words

    • To make them stand out as idiots

    • Ireland needed people of words to tell the story afterwards

    • All of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. The Easter Rising changed them and made them use force instead of words
    Explanation
    The correct answer is that the Easter Rising changed them and made them use force instead of words. This explanation suggests that the four people in the stanza were initially described negatively but were included in the poem because the Easter Rising transformed them, causing them to abandon peaceful means of communication and resort to violence. This change in their behavior and beliefs makes them significant figures to be included in a poem about the Easter Rising.

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  • 10. 

    How does Yeats feel about the first two men mentioned in stanza two?

    • He thinks that they are men of words, but not of action (owns a school and a writer)

    • He thinks that their skills as writers and poets will fight off the British.

    • He thinks that they are strong and courageous.

    • He thinks those men are physically weak and illiterate. 

    • He thinks those men are physically weak and illiterate. 

    Correct Answer
    A. He thinks that they are men of words, but not of action (owns a school and a writer)
    Explanation
    Yeats feels that the first two men mentioned in stanza two are men of words, but not of action. This is indicated by the fact that one of them owns a school and the other is a writer. This suggests that they are more focused on intellectual pursuits rather than taking physical or practical actions.

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  • 11. 

    Yeats mentions a winged horse = Pegasus which is a figure from Greek mythology and suggests Pearse's skill as a ______. 

    • A coward

    • A strong and intelligent warrior

    • A writer

    • A doctor

    Correct Answer
    A. A writer
    Explanation
    In this question, Yeats mentioning a winged horse, Pegasus, from Greek mythology suggests Pearse's skill as a writer. Pegasus is often associated with poetry and inspiration, symbolizing the ability to soar above ordinary thoughts and create beautiful works of literature. By referencing Pegasus, Yeats implies that Pearse possesses the creativity and talent of a writer.

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  • 12. 

    Which of these names are mentioned in the poem?

    • James Connolly

    • Maud Gunne

    • Major John Macbride

    • Constance Markievicz

    • Patrick Pearse

    • Thomas MacDonagh

    • Liam O'Connoll

    • Jack Macdermott

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. James Connolly
    A. Maud Gunne
    A. Major John Macbride
    A. Constance Markievicz
    A. Patrick Pearse
    A. Thomas MacDonagh
    Explanation
    The names mentioned in the poem are James Connolly, Maud Gunne, Major John Macbride, Constance Markievicz, Patrick Pearse, and Thomas MacDonagh.

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  • 13. 

    What is meant by a "terrible beauty"?

    • The beauty of change and freedom leads to death and misery, but is necessary

    • The beautiful Ireland now looks ugly and terrible

    • Freedom is like a wild, terrible and uncontrollable natural force

    • All of the above

    • All of the above

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. The beauty of change and freedom leads to death and misery, but is necessary
    A. Freedom is like a wild, terrible and uncontrollable natural force
    Explanation
    The phrase "terrible beauty" refers to the idea that something can be both beautiful and destructive at the same time. It suggests that change, freedom, and freedom itself can bring about negative consequences such as death and misery, but they are still essential and necessary. Additionally, it implies that freedom is not always a gentle or controlled force, but can be wild, terrible, and uncontrollable. Therefore, all of the given options capture different aspects of this concept of "terrible beauty."

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  • 14. 

    How does Yeats feel about the third man described at the end of the stanza?

    • He is brave

    • He is a drunk

    • He is arrogant

    • He is intelligent

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. He is a drunk
    A. He is arrogant
    Explanation
    The given answer suggests that Yeats feels that the third man described at the end of the stanza is both a drunk and arrogant. This can be inferred from the information provided in the stanza, which implies that the third man's behavior and actions exhibit qualities of drunkenness and arrogance.

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  • 15. 

    Why does Yeats focus on the four people's personalities and common everyday skills and not their political involvement and achievements?

    • He is a socialist and does not like anyone standing out

    • By indicating that they are common citizens he makes them one with the people.

    • He shows that even common and imperfect people can be heroic and change things for Ireland

    • He is too afraid to say anything about politics. 

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. By indicating that they are common citizens he makes them one with the people.
    A. He shows that even common and imperfect people can be heroic and change things for Ireland
    Explanation
    Yeats focuses on the four people's personalities and common everyday skills rather than their political involvement and achievements because he wants to convey the idea that they are ordinary citizens who can relate to the common people. By indicating that they are common citizens, he makes them one with the people, emphasizing their relatability and connection to the everyday struggles of the Irish people. Furthermore, he wants to highlight that even common and imperfect individuals have the potential to be heroic and make a positive impact on Ireland.

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  • 16. 

    That Yeats finds the people 'insignificant' is revealed in the lines:

    • "I have passed with a nod of the head"

    • "polite meaningless words,"

    • "a mocking tale or a gibe To please a companion Around the fire at the club,"

    • "All changed, changed utterly"

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. "I have passed with a nod of the head"
    A. "polite meaningless words,"
    A. "a mocking tale or a gibe To please a companion Around the fire at the club,"
    Explanation
    The correct answer is the combination of the lines "I have passed with a nod of the head," "polite meaningless words," and "a mocking tale or a gibe To please a companion Around the fire at the club." These lines suggest that Yeats views the interactions with people as superficial and insincere. He describes passing by people with a simple nod of the head, engaging in polite but meaningless conversations, and telling stories or making jokes to entertain others. This implies that Yeats sees these interactions as insignificant and lacking in depth or meaning.

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  • 17. 

    Stanza four: Yeats writes about the colour green. What does that come to symbolise?

    • Freedom

    • Envy

    • Change

    • Ireland = The Emerald Isle

    • In commemoration of the four dead rebels

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. Freedom
    A. Change
    A. Ireland = The Emerald Isle
    A. In commemoration of the four dead rebels
    Explanation
    The color green in Yeats' poem symbolizes freedom, change, Ireland as the Emerald Isle, and is also used in commemoration of the four dead rebels. It represents the desire for independence and the longing for a transformed society. The mention of Ireland as the Emerald Isle further emphasizes the connection between the color green and the country's struggle for freedom. Additionally, the reference to the four dead rebels suggests that the color green is a symbol of their sacrifice and the ongoing fight for liberation.

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  • 18. 

    Yeats writes "Was it needless death after all?" Why?

    • To underline the importance of a continued struggle

    • To show that at the end of the day it does not matter if they fight the British or not

    • The British are still strong, but Ireland cannot go back now

    • A rethorical question where he expresses the doubts of many Irish citizens after the rebellion, he but gives them hope in the end.

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. To underline the importance of a continued struggle
    A. The British are still strong, but Ireland cannot go back now
    A. A rethorical question where he expresses the doubts of many Irish citizens after the rebellion, he but gives them hope in the end.
    Explanation
    Yeats writes "Was it needless death after all?" as a rhetorical question to express the doubts and uncertainties felt by many Irish citizens after the rebellion. By posing this question, Yeats acknowledges the possibility that the deaths may have been unnecessary, but he also seeks to underline the importance of a continued struggle. He emphasizes that despite the strength of the British, Ireland cannot turn back now, implying that the fight for independence must continue. In doing so, Yeats aims to instill hope and determination in the Irish people, despite the challenges they face.

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  • Current Version
  • May 08, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Sep 19, 2012
    Quiz Created by
    RikkeBalle
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