Muiopotmos, or The Fate of the Butterfly MCQs and summary

Summary:

Muiopotmos, or The Fate of the Butterfly is a narrative poem by Edmund Spenser, written in 1590. The poem tells the tragic story of a beautiful butterfly named Clarion, who is born into a luxurious and privileged life. Despite his beauty and grace, Clarion becomes prideful and careless, indulging in vanity and pleasure rather than caution.

One day, while enjoying his surroundings, he is caught in a spider’s web, woven by the cunning and predatory spider Aragnoll. The poem describes in vivid detail how Clarion, despite his beauty and speed, is ultimately trapped and killed by the spider.

The poem is often interpreted as an allegory for the dangers of pride, vanity, and the unpredictable nature of fate. It also reflects Renaissance humanist ideas, warning against overindulgence in worldly pleasures.

MCQs:

1. What does the title Muiopotmos mean?
   a) The Victory of the Butterfly
   b) The Fate of the Butterfly
   c) The Journey of the Butterfly
   d) The Flight of the Butterfly
   Answer: b) The Fate of the Butterfly
2. Who is the main character of the poem?
   a) Aragnoll
   b) Clarion
   c) Redcrosse Knight
   d) Colin Clout
   Answer: b) Clarion
3. What kind of creature is Clarion?
   a) A bee
   b) A butterfly
   c) A moth
   d) A bird
   Answer: b) A butterfly

   

4. What is the main flaw of Clarion?
   a) Wisdom
   b) Cunning
   c) Pride and vanity
   d) Bravery
   Answer: c) Pride and vanity
5. What happens to Clarion at the end of the poem?
   a) He escapes the spider’s web
   b) He is trapped and killed by Aragnoll
   c) He becomes king of the butterflies
   d) He transforms into a bird
   Answer: b) He is trapped and killed by Aragnoll
6. Who is Aragnoll in the poem?
   a) A wise old butterfly
   b) A spider who traps Clarion
   c) A noble knight
   d) A bird that helps Clarion
   Answer: b) A spider who traps Clarion
7. What literary device is most prominent in the poem?
   a) Allegory
   b) Satire
   c) Epic simile
   d) Parody
   Answer: a) Allegory
8. What is a major theme of the poem?
   a) The beauty of nature
   b) The importance of adventure
   c) The dangers of vanity and pride
   d) The power of love
   Answer: c) The dangers of vanity and pride
9. What does the spider Aragnoll symbolize?
   a) Strength and wisdom
   b) Fate and inevitable doom
   c) Justice and fairness
   d) The joys of life
   Answer: b) Fate and inevitable doom
10. How does Muiopotmos fit within Edmund Spenser’s literary style?
    a) It is a dramatic play
    b) It follows the tradition of Renaissance allegorical poetry
    c) It is a scientific essay
    d) It is a political manifesto
    Answer: b) It follows the tradition of Renaissance allegorical poetry