Mac Flecknoe Quizzes

Mac Flecknoe Quiz 1

1 Which English playwright, poet, and literary critic of the 17th century does Dryden compare Shadwell to - in physical appearance - in Mac Flecknoe?
John Donne

Samuel Johnson

John Oldham

Ben Jonson
2 What is "tautology?"
Unnecessary repetition, usually in close proximity, of the same word, phrase, idea, argument, etc. Now typically the saying of the same thing twice in different words (e.g., "they arrived one after the other in succession"), generally considered to be a fault of style. (OED)

A speech or writing in commendation of the character and services of a person, or the qualities of a thing; especially a set oration in honour of a deceased person.

A poem or (in later use) a novel, film, or other work of art which uses humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize prevailing immorality or foolishness.

The study or science which treats of God, His nature and attributes, and His relations with man and the universe; "the science of things divine" (Hooker).
3 Who is Thomas Shadwell?
An English poet and playwright in the 17th century who was appointed poet laureate in 1689

A modern poet and screenwriter

An actor who rose to prominence as a star player in The King's Company

The King of England in the 17th century
4 In what year was John Dryden born?
1731

1672

1361

1631
5 What do the initials "T.S." stand for in Mac Flecknoe?
Terror of Shadwell

Terrence Shelby

Thomas Shadwell

Terror of Shelby
6 What is an anagram?
A notable deed or action

A transposition of the letters of a word, name, or phrase, whereby a new word or phrase is formed

A (usually short) poem (or other composition) in which the initial letters of the lines, taken in order, spell a word, phrase, or sentence

A puzzle in which a pattern of chequered squares has to be filled in from numbered clues with words which are written usually horizontally and vertically, and occasionally diagonally
7 What is an "encomium"?
A formal or high-flown expression of praise; a eulogy, panegyric

A piece of human excrement

A long-winded proclamation of poetical superiority

A poem that is exactly 62 verses long
8 What did John Dryden think of Thomas Shadwell?
He thought that he was a disciplined and methodical wordsmith.

He thought that he was unnaturally underweight, especially given his exceptional height.

He thought that he was a genius with words.

He thought he was a talentless poet.
9 When did John Dryden die?
1777

1700

1631

1682
10 What did John Dryden die of?
Consumption

Obesity

Complications related to gout

Old age
11 What poem is considered Dryden's most famous?
Mac Flecknoe (1682)

Religio Laici (1682)

Absalom and Achitophel (1681)

Annus Mirabalis (1667)
12 Who did Dryden replace as Poet Laureate in 1668?
Thomas Shadwell

Ben Jonson

Alexander Pope

William D'Avenant
13 Where was Dryden born?
London

Northampshire

Ireland

New York
14 What religion did Dryden convert to in 1686?
Protestantism

Judaism

Roman Catholicism

Islam
15 Where did Dryden go to college?
Oxford University

Harvard University

UCLA

Trinity College, Cambridge
16 Which of the following poems is a satire by John Dryden?
Religio Laici

Annus Mirabalis

Duncaid

Mac Flecknoe
17 What was Dryden's first published poem?
Mac Flecknoe

Paradise Lost

Upon the Death of Lord Hastings

Religio Laici
18 When was Dryden signed to the King's Company?
1699

1688

1600

1635
19 Was William III Protestant or Catholic?
Protestant

Neither

Both

Catholic
20 Was Charles II Protestant or Catholic?
Neither

Protestant

Catholic

Both
21 Where was Dryden buried when he died?
Highgate

Bunhill Fields

Westminster Abbey

Pere Lachaise
22 Who took over for Dryden as Poet Laureate in 1688?
William D'Avenant

Alexander Pope

John Milton

Thomas Shadwell
23 Dryden calls his poem a/an ___?
comedy

drama

satire

epic
24 What things are subject to decay?
Animal

Young

Sublunary

Human
25 Monarchs must obey when ___ summons.
duty

God

Fate

the State