Prothalamion MCQs and summary

Summary:

Prothalamion is a nuptial (wedding) poem written by Edmund Spenser in 1596. It is a celebratory work composed for the double wedding of Elizabeth and Katherine Somerset, the daughters of the Earl of Worcester. The poem is written in the form of a pastoral ode and is notable for its graceful and musical quality.

Spenser begins the poem in a melancholic mood but soon finds inspiration in the beauty of nature along the River Thames. He describes the idyllic scenery, including swans floating on the river, symbolizing purity and love. As the poem progresses, he connects the natural imagery to the upcoming wedding, turning his initial sadness into joy.

The major themes of Prothalamion include love, marriage, harmony, and the connection between nature and human life. The poem also reflects on Spenser’s personal disappointments regarding his career, contrasting his own struggles with the happiness of the brides.

MCQs:

1. What is Prothalamion primarily about?
   a) A battle between noble families
   b) The coronation of a king
   c) The wedding of two noble sisters
   d) A tribute to Queen Elizabeth
   Answer: c) The wedding of two noble sisters
2. Who wrote Prothalamion?
   a) William Shakespeare
   b) Geoffrey Chaucer
   c) Edmund Spenser
   d) John Milton
   Answer: c) Edmund Spenser
3. What is the poetic form of Prothalamion?
   a) Sonnet sequence
   b) Epic poem
   c) Pastoral ode
   d) Satirical verse
   Answer: c) Pastoral ode

   

4. What river plays a significant role in the poem?
   a) The River Avon
   b) The River Thames
   c) The River Severn
   d) The River Tyne
   Answer: b) The River Thames
5. What bird symbolizes purity and love in Prothalamion?
   a) Dove
   b) Swan
   c) Eagle
   d) Nightingale
   Answer: b) Swan
6. Which historical event does Prothalamion commemorate?
   a) The victory over the Spanish Armada
   b) The wedding of Queen Elizabeth I
   c) The marriage of the Earl of Worcester’s daughters
   d) The birth of Prince Henry
   Answer: c) The marriage of the Earl of Worcester’s daughters
7. How does Spenser’s mood change throughout the poem?
   a) From joy to sorrow
   b) From sorrow to joy
   c) From anger to indifference
   d) From excitement to boredom
   Answer: b) From sorrow to joy
8. What theme is NOT present in Prothalamion?
   a) Nature’s harmony
   b) Celebration of love and marriage
   c) Political rebellion
   d) Personal reflection
   Answer: c) Political rebellion
9. Which phrase is repeated as a refrain in the poem?
   a) “Sweet Thames, run softly till I end my song.”
   b) “Oh love, how fair thou art.”
   c) “O gentle swans, glide by.”
   d) “To thee, my heart belongs.”
   Answer: a) “Sweet Thames, run softly till I end my song.”
10. What does Spenser reflect on in the poem besides the wedding?
    a) His dissatisfaction with court life
    b) The decline of chivalry
    c) The rise of Queen Elizabeth’s power
    d) The need for war against Spain
    Answer: a) His dissatisfaction with court life