The Shepherd’s Calendar MCQs and summary

Summary:

The Shepheardes Calender is a pastoral poem by Edmund Spenser, first published in 1579. It consists of twelve eclogues, one for each month of the year, and follows the life of a shepherd named Colin Clout, who represents the poet himself. The poem is heavily influenced by classical and Renaissance pastoral traditions, featuring themes of nature, love, religion, and politics.

Each eclogue takes a different tone and theme, ranging from romantic love to social and political commentary. The poem is dedicated to Sir Philip Sidney and serves as Spenser’s attempt to establish himself as a major English poet. It also includes references to Queen Elizabeth I and the Protestant Reformation.

The structure of the poem reflects the changing seasons, moving from the harshness of winter to the joys of spring and summer and back to winter’s difficulties, symbolizing the cycle of life and poetic inspiration. The work is known for its complex use of language, borrowing heavily from Chaucerian English and Latin influences.

MCQs:

1. Who is the main character in The Shepheardes Calender?
   a) Amoretti
   b) Colin Clout
   c) Epithalamion
   d) Redcrosse Knight
   Answer: b) Colin Clout
2. How many eclogues are in The Shepheardes Calender?
   a) 10
   b) 12
   c) 14
   d) 24
   Answer: b) 12
3. What is the primary theme of the poem?
   a) The struggles of war
   b) The beauty of nature and pastoral life
   c) The adventures of knights
   d) The philosophy of science
   Answer: b) The beauty of nature and pastoral life

   

4. What literary form is The Shepheardes Calender written in?
   a) Sonnet
   b) Epic poetry
   c) Pastoral poetry
   d) Tragic drama
   Answer: c) Pastoral poetry
5. To whom is The Shepheardes Calender dedicated?
   a) Queen Elizabeth I
   b) William Shakespeare
   c) Sir Philip Sidney
   d) Christopher Marlowe
   Answer: c) Sir Philip Sidney
6. Which season does The Shepheardes Calender start with?
   a) Spring
   b) Summer
   c) Autumn
   d) Winter
   Answer: d) Winter
7. Which famous medieval poet influenced The Shepheardes Calender?
   a) Geoffrey Chaucer
   b) John Milton
   c) Homer
   d) Dante Alighieri
   Answer: a) Geoffrey Chaucer
8. What is one major theme of the eclogues?
   a) Love and loss
   b) Political corruption
   c) Religious reformation
   d) All of the above
   Answer: d) All of the above
9. Who is Colin Clout in the poem?
   a) A young knight
   b) A poor merchant
   c) A shepherd and poet
   d) A nobleman
   Answer: c) A shepherd and poet
10. What does the structure of The Shepheardes Calender symbolize?
    a) The hero’s journey
    b) The cycle of nature and poetry
    c) The battle between good and evil
    d) The decline of society
    Answer: b) The cycle of nature and poetry