Medieval English Literature Week 10
Please follow the directions and answer the questions to your best ability. You will be given credit for completing this quiz, but don't worry about it too much--it's here to show you how well you understand the material. You will not be graded on your performance on this quiz.
- 1.
What is The Consolation of Philosophy written in?
- A.
Prose
- B.
Poetry
- C.
Verse
- D.
Verse and Prose
- E.
Anagrams
Correct Answer
D. Verse and ProseExplanation
The Consolation of Philosophy is a "prosimetrum", literally "proseverse", a literary form in which part of the text is written in prose and part is written in verse.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Why are you reading this text in this class?
- A.
Because it is medieval
- B.
Because it is ancient
- C.
Because it was hugely influential on medieval English literature
- D.
Because our professor is an idiot
Correct Answer
C. Because it was hugely influential on medieval English literatureExplanation
While the last answer may be true, you are reading it because The Consolation of Philosophy had a greater impact on medieval philosophy, art, and science than any other text except for the Bible.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Who wrote The Consolation of Philosophy?
- A.
St. Ambrose
- B.
St. Augustine
- C.
Boethius
- D.
Andreas Capellaneus
Correct Answer
C. BoethiusExplanation
Anicius Severinus Manlius Boethius, c.475-526, a Roman statesman, wrote The Consolation of Philosophy after leaving Rome at the end of his life.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Who imprisoned Boethius and why?
- A.
The Ostrogoths, for being a spy
- B.
The Visigoths, for being a spy
- C.
The Estogoths, for being a traitor
- D.
The Ostrogoths, for being a traitor
Correct Answer
D. The Ostrogoths, for being a traitorExplanation
The Ostrogoths, who controlled Rome after the fall of the Roman empire, ruled the city from afar and had called Boethius to become Theoderic’s “Master of Offices”. When there he tried to fight corruption--and was executed for treason as a result.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Whom did Theoderic execute? Select all that apply.
- A.
Boethius
- B.
Boethius' children
- C.
Boethius' wife
- D.
Boethius' friends
- E.
Theoderic's wife
- F.
Roman senators sympathetic to Boethius
Correct Answer(s)
A. Boethius
B. Boethius' children
C. Boethius' wifeExplanation
Due to the barbaric guilt-by-association laws of the Ostrogoths, Boethius' family was executed before Boethius, who wrote The Consolation of Philosophy alone in prison, awaiting his own execution.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Besides being a "prosimetrum", what is the structure of The Consolation of Philosophy?
- A.
A consolation in five books, with songs throughout the books
- B.
A consolation in four books, with songs between the books
- C.
A catechismal dialogue between Boethius and Lady Philosophy
- D.
Free verse
Correct Answer
A. A consolation in five books, with songs throughout the booksExplanation
While the text is largely a dialogue, this is not a structural feature of the text--rather, it is a combination of dialogue and first-person narrative, with songs throughout the text that accentuate particular points.Rate this question:
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- 7.
How is Lady Fortune depicted in the text?
- 8.
If Lady Fortune controls our earthy fortunes, who or what controls everything else?
- A.
Nothing; life is random
- B.
God
- C.
Love
- D.
Mercy
Correct Answer
B. GodExplanation
The given correct answer is "God." This suggests that while Lady Fortune may control our earthly fortunes, there is a higher power or entity that controls everything else. God is often believed to be the ultimate authority and controller of all aspects of life, including destiny and events beyond our earthly fortunes.Rate this question:
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- 9.
How is God described in the text?
- A.
As the final cause
- B.
As the efficient cause
- C.
As the "helm and rudder" of the world
- D.
As perfect happiness
- E.
All of the above
Correct Answer
E. All of the aboveExplanation
These are all defined throughout the text. In book 2, we are told that the love of God is the love of happiness, and can bring happiness--whereas the love of other things cannot. In books 3-5, we are told that this is because God is the "final cause" of everything--as the omnipotent creator of the world, he has ultimate control over everything that happens, including the whims of fortune. Also, everything naturally moves towards God--thus artificial human culture perverts the superior order, in which humans naturally go towards God (this is why he is the "helm and rudder" of the world). Finally, we are told that everything that happens has an ultimate purpose--this is why God is the "efficient cause", in that God has made it so that everything that has and will happen, does happen.Rate this question:
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- 10.
What important philosophical issue is the main issue of Book V of The Consolation of Philosophy?
- A.
Individual agency within a predetermined world
- B.
The futility of individual choice
- C.
The absence of justice in a world run by Fortune
- D.
The futility of mourning
Correct Answer
A. Individual agency within a predetermined worldExplanation
The book ends with a discussion of how human beings can and do make choices within a world that is observed and controlled by an omnipotent God. While this issue is very complicated and arguably unresolved in Boethius' text, the central idea is that God has given us free will that we can then exploit. The greatest use of this free will is the contemplation of God, which brings greater freedom than anything else.Rate this question:
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- 11.
What does "prima causa" mean?
- A.
The first cause
- B.
The best cause
- C.
The worst cause
- D.
The prettiest cause
Correct Answer
A. The first causeExplanation
God is defined as the "prima causa"--the force that made all of the universe go into motion according to its own laws. This includes fortune, who has since ruled on Earth (as part of God's design). Fortune, or luck, makes some rich, some poor, some miserable, and some happy, but it is all temporary and meaningless.Rate this question:
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- 12.
What philosophy replaces Boethian fatalism in the early modern period?
- A.
Science
- B.
Humanism
- C.
Colonialism
- D.
Anti-Fatalism
Correct Answer
B. HumanismExplanation
In the early modern period, Boethian fatalism, which suggests that everything is predetermined and inevitable, was replaced by the philosophy of Humanism. Humanism emphasized the importance of human reason, free will, and individualism. It focused on the potential and capabilities of human beings, promoting the study of humanities, arts, and sciences. This philosophy challenged the idea of fatalism and encouraged individuals to take control of their own lives and make choices based on reason and personal values.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Overall, how would you rate the virtual classes of this week?
- A.
Excellent; I want more virtual classes
- B.
Good; I would be okay with more virtual classes
- C.
Fair; I don't care if I have virtual classes again or not
- D.
Poor; I disliked virtual classes
- E.
Unacceptable; I never want to take virtual classes again
Correct Answer(s)
A. Excellent; I want more virtual classes
B. Good; I would be okay with more virtual classes
C. Fair; I don't care if I have virtual classes again or not
D. Poor; I disliked virtual classes
E. Unacceptable; I never want to take virtual classes againExplanation
The given answer provides a range of options for rating the virtual classes of the week. It includes options for those who enjoyed the virtual classes and want more, those who thought they were good and wouldn't mind having more, those who are indifferent and don't care if they have virtual classes again or not, those who disliked virtual classes and thought they were poor, and those who had a strong dislike and never want to take virtual classes again. This answer covers a wide range of opinions and allows for different experiences and preferences.Rate this question:
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