Summary:
The Dunciad by Alexander Pope is a satirical epic poem that criticizes the decline of literary standards and the rise of mediocrity. It is a scathing attack on poets, critics, and publishers whom Pope saw as responsible for corrupting literature. The poem portrays the triumph of dullness, with the goddess Dulness crowning a new king, first Theobald (in earlier versions) and later Colley Cibber. Written in heroic couplets, The Dunciad mocks bad poetry, ignorance, and the commercialization of literature. The final book of the poem envisions a future where stupidity and darkness completely take over the world.
MCQs:
- Who is the poet of The Dunciad?
a) John Dryden
b) Jonathan Swift
c) Alexander Pope
d) Samuel Johnson
Answer: c) Alexander Pope - What is The Dunciad primarily about?
a) The greatness of poetry
b) The rise of dullness and mediocrity in literature
c) A philosophical exploration of man’s nature
d) The beauty of nature
Answer: b) The rise of dullness and mediocrity in literature - Who was originally the “hero” of The Dunciad?
a) Colley Cibber
b) Lewis Theobald
c) John Milton
d) Samuel Johnson
Answer: b) Lewis Theobald
The Dunciad - What type of poem is The Dunciad?
a) Lyric poem
b) Epic satire
c) Elegy
d) Sonnet
Answer: b) Epic satire - Which goddess is central to The Dunciad?
a) Athena
b) Dulness
c) Fortune
d) Aphrodite
Answer: b) Dulness - In the final version of The Dunciad, who is crowned as the King of Dulness?
a) John Dryden
b) Lewis Theobald
c) Colley Cibber
d) Alexander Pope
Answer: c) Colley Cibber - What is the rhyme scheme of The Dunciad?
a) Free verse
b) Blank verse
c) Heroic couplets (AABB)
d) Terza rima
Answer: c) Heroic couplets (AABB) - What is one of the major themes of The Dunciad?
a) The power of love
b) The decline of literary taste and intelligence
c) The importance of nature
d) The dangers of ambition
Answer: b) The decline of literary taste and intelligence - How many books are in the final version of The Dunciad?
a) Two
b) Three
c) Four
d) Five
Answer: c) Four - What does the final book of The Dunciad depict?
a) The rise of an intellectual golden age
b) The total triumph of dullness and ignorance
c) The defeat of bad poetry
d) A hopeful future for literature
Answer: b) The total triumph of dullness and ignorance
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | The Dunciad |
| Poet | Alexander Pope |
| Year Published | 1728 (first version), 1743 (final version) |
| Poem Type | Satirical epic poem |
| Rhyme Scheme | Heroic couplets (AABB) |
| Main Themes | Satire of bad literature, Decline of intelligence, Rise of mediocrity |
| Famous Lines | “O heavy scene! and O ye powers of wit, |
| What dullness reigns in majesty complete!” | |
| Divisions of the Poem | Four books in the final version |
| Influence | Criticized and mocked bad poets, critics, and publishers of Pope’s time |
| Key Message | Ignorance and dullness are taking over literature and society |