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?
Samuel Johnson

Ben Jonson

John Oldham

John Donne
2 What is "tautology?"
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.

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.

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?
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

An English poet and playwright in the 17th century who was appointed poet laureate in 1689
4 In what year was John Dryden born?
1631

1672

1361

1731
5 What do the initials "T.S." stand for in Mac Flecknoe?
Thomas Shadwell

Terror of Shadwell

Terrence Shelby

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

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

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 poem that is exactly 62 verses long

A piece of human excrement

A long-winded proclamation of poetical superiority
8 What did John Dryden think of Thomas Shadwell?
He thought that he was a disciplined and methodical wordsmith.

He thought he was a talentless poet.

He thought that he was a genius with words.

He thought that he was unnaturally underweight, especially given his exceptional height.
9 When did John Dryden die?
1777

1631

1682

1700
10 What did John Dryden die of?
Complications related to gout

Obesity

Old age

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

Annus Mirabalis (1667)

Religio Laici (1682)

Absalom and Achitophel (1681)
12 Who did Dryden replace as Poet Laureate in 1668?
Alexander Pope

Thomas Shadwell

William D'Avenant

Ben Jonson
13 Where was Dryden born?
Northampshire

London

New York

Ireland
14 What religion did Dryden convert to in 1686?
Protestantism

Islam

Roman Catholicism

Judaism
15 Where did Dryden go to college?
Harvard University

UCLA

Trinity College, Cambridge

Oxford University
16 Which of the following poems is a satire by John Dryden?
Religio Laici

Mac Flecknoe

Annus Mirabalis

Duncaid
17 What was Dryden's first published poem?
Upon the Death of Lord Hastings

Religio Laici

Paradise Lost

Mac Flecknoe
18 When was Dryden signed to the King's Company?
1699

1600

1688

1635
19 Was William III Protestant or Catholic?
Protestant

Catholic

Both

Neither
20 Was Charles II Protestant or Catholic?
Neither

Catholic

Both

Protestant
21 Where was Dryden buried when he died?
Westminster Abbey

Highgate

Pere Lachaise

Bunhill Fields
22 Who took over for Dryden as Poet Laureate in 1688?
Thomas Shadwell

William D'Avenant

John Milton

Alexander Pope
23 Dryden calls his poem a/an ___?
satire

epic

comedy

drama
24 What things are subject to decay?
Animal

Human

Sublunary

Young
25 Monarchs must obey when ___ summons.
the State

God

Fate

duty