History Quiz: Eighteenth Century Prose

The correct answer is true because in Samuel Johnson's Preface to his Edition of Shakespeare's Plays, the author indeed defends Shakespeare's mixing of tragic and comic elements. Johnson argues that this combination adds depth and complexity to the plays, making them more realistic and relatable to the audience. He believes that Shakespeare's ability to seamlessly blend tragedy and comedy showcases his genius as a playwright. Therefore, the statement is true.

Charles II was restored to the throne of England in 1660. After the death of his father, Charles I, in 1649, England was ruled by Oliver Cromwell and the country was under a period of Commonwealth. However, in 1660, the monarchy was restored and Charles II became the king of England. This event is known as the Restoration and it marked the end of the Interregnum period.

Joseph Addison and Richard Steele founded The Spectator. The Spectator was a daily publication that was active from 1711 to 1712. It was a highly influential periodical during the early 18th century and played a significant role in shaping public opinion. Addison and Steele were both prominent writers and intellectuals of their time, and their collaboration on The Spectator helped establish it as a leading publication of its era.

The correct answer is "All of the above." This means that all three events, the Second Anglo-Dutch War of 1665-7, the Great Plague of 1665, and the Great Fire of London of 1666, are described in Pepys' diary. The diary of Samuel Pepys, a prominent English naval administrator and Member of Parliament, is known for its detailed accounts of these significant events in 17th century England.

The Spectator was a publication that was known for its impartiality and neutrality in political matters. It aimed to provide fair and balanced coverage of both Whig and Tory viewpoints, without favoring one over the other. This neutrality allowed The Spectator to gain a wide readership and maintain its credibility as a reliable source of information. Therefore, the statement that The Spectator was strictly neutral between the Whigs and the Tories is true.

In the given fragment of the statement, the word "wit" is missing. The statement is saying that the goal of The Spectator is to enliven morality with wit, and to temper wit with morality. This suggests that The Spectator aims to bring humor and cleverness to discussions of moral topics, while also ensuring that wit is balanced and guided by moral principles.

As a 15-year-old schoolboy, Samuel Pepys witnessed the execution of Charles I. This event took place during the English Civil War, when Charles I was put on trial and ultimately executed in 1649. Pepys, who later became a famous diarist, would have been a witness to this significant historical event at a young age.

Samuel Pepys' reaction to witnessing the execution of two well-known criminals was indifference. This suggests that he did not have a strong emotional response to the event. It is possible that Pepys was desensitized to violence and death due to the frequent executions that took place during that time period. Alternatively, he may have had a lack of sympathy or empathy towards the criminals, which led to his indifferent reaction.

In issue 275 of The Spectator, the brain that is fictionally dissected belongs to a beau.

Pepys' diary mentions over 300 theatre visits, indicating that he was a frequent and enthusiastic theatre-goer. This suggests that he had a strong interest in the performing arts and enjoyed attending plays and performances regularly. His diary provides valuable insights into the cultural and social life of the time, as well as his personal experiences and interests.