Metaphysical Poetry MCQ Quiz

During John Donne's lifetime, he lived during the reigns of Elizabeth I, James I, and Charles I. These three monarchs were known for their absolutist rule, where they held significant power and authority over their realms. Elizabeth I was the Queen of England and Ireland from 1558 until her death in 1603. James I, also known as James VI of Scotland, became the King of England and Ireland in 1603 after the death of Elizabeth I. Charles I succeeded his father, James I, and ruled from 1625 until his execution in 1649. Therefore, the correct answer is Elizabeth I, James I, and Charles I.

Samuel Johnson is the correct answer because he was a poet and critic who popularized the term "metaphysical poet" in his work "Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets." He used this term to describe a group of 17th-century poets, including John Donne, who wrote in a highly intellectual and complex style, using metaphysical conceits and exploring philosophical and spiritual themes in their poetry. Johnson's work played a significant role in shaping the understanding and appreciation of metaphysical poetry.

In The Sun Rising, the sun is described using the adjectives "saucy," "pedantic," and "busy." These adjectives suggest that the sun is arrogant, overly concerned with details, and constantly active. The use of these adjectives helps to convey the speaker's frustration and annoyance with the sun for interrupting his love-filled moment with his partner.

The expression "dazzling darkness" is an example of an oxymoron. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms or ideas to create a paradoxical effect. In this case, the poet combines the contrasting words "dazzling" and "darkness" to convey the idea of a darkness that is somehow bright or radiant. This use of contradictory terms creates a striking and memorable image in the reader's mind.

In the first verse of The Canonization by John Donne, the speaker is asking someone to hold their tongue and let them love. The missing word is "Love".

In A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning, Donne describes the death of virtuous people as "Silent." This suggests that the passing of these individuals is peaceful and serene, without any noise or disturbance. The use of the word "Silent" implies a sense of dignity and tranquility in their departure from the world, emphasizing the noble and virtuous nature of these individuals.

In Donne's The Indifferent, the narrator dislikes truthfulness in a woman. This suggests that the narrator prefers a woman who is not completely honest and may prefer someone who is more mysterious or deceptive. The poem explores the idea of indifference in love and the narrator's preference for a partner who is not completely transparent with their emotions.

In Donne's The Apparition, the symbol of quicksilver insinuates the death of the woman who the narrator is in love with. Quicksilver, also known as mercury, is often associated with change and transformation, as well as with death and decay. Its inclusion in the poem suggests that the woman's death has caused a profound change in the narrator's life, leading to his haunting by her apparition. The use of quicksilver as a symbol adds depth and complexity to the poem, conveying the themes of loss, mortality, and the lingering presence of the deceased.

In Andrew Marvell's poem "To His Coy Mistress," coyness is not described as an ideal attribute in women. The speaker of the poem is urging his mistress to seize the day and not waste time on coyness. He argues that life is short and they should make the most of their time together. Therefore, the correct answer is false.

The correct answer is verbs. In the first and last stanzas of Donne's "Batter my Heart," there is a significant presence of verbs. Verbs are words that express actions or states of being. In these stanzas, Donne uses verbs to convey the speaker's desire for God to forcefully intervene in his life and change him. The verbs used, such as "batter," "break," "burn," and "o'erthrow," emphasize the speaker's plea for a transformative and intense experience with God.