Threnodia Augustalis MCQs and Summary

Summary:

Threnodia Augustalis (1685) is an elegy written by John Dryden to mourn the death of King Charles II of England. The poem praises Charles II for his wisdom, leadership, and contributions to the nation while also expressing concerns about the future under the new king, James II. Dryden highlights the late king’s ability to maintain stability and order, portraying him as a benevolent ruler. The poem is structured in both rhymed verse and blank verse, creating a solemn and reflective tone. It serves as both a lament for the deceased king and a political commentary on England’s monarchy.

MCQs:

1. Who is the subject of Dryden’s elegy in Threnodia Augustalis?
   a) Oliver Cromwell
   b) King Charles I
   c) King Charles II
   d) King James II
   Answer: c) King Charles II
2. What is the primary theme of Threnodia Augustalis?
   a) Celebration of war victories
   b) Satirical attack on monarchy
   c) Mourning and political reflection
   d) Love and romance
   Answer: c) Mourning and political reflection
3. When was Threnodia Augustalis written?
   a) 1660
   b) 1678
   c) 1685
   d) 1692
   Answer: c) 1685

   

4. Which monarch succeeded Charles II, as mentioned in the poem?
   a) William III
   b) James II
   c) Henry VIII
   d) George I
   Answer: b) James II
5. What poetic form does Dryden use in Threnodia Augustalis?
   a) Blank verse
   b) Heroic couplets and varied meters
   c) Sonnet form
   d) Ballad stanza
   Answer: b) Heroic couplets and varied meters
6. What is the tone of Threnodia Augustalis?
   a) Joyful and celebratory
   b) Solemn and reflective
   c) Humorous and ironic
   d) Aggressive and argumentative
   Answer: b) Solemn and reflective
7. How does Dryden portray Charles II in the poem?
   a) As a weak and ineffective ruler
   b) As a tyrant feared by his people
   c) As a wise and benevolent monarch
   d) As an ambitious conqueror
   Answer: c) As a wise and benevolent monarch
8. Which literary device is frequently used in Threnodia Augustalis?
   a) Allegory
   b) Hyperbole
   c) Satire
   d) Irony
   Answer: b) Hyperbole
9. What political concern is subtly expressed in the poem?
   a) Fear of foreign invasion
   b) Uncertainty about James II’s rule
   c) Criticism of Parliament
   d) Call for the abolition of monarchy
   Answer: b) Uncertainty about James II’s rule
10. Which literary era does Threnodia Augustalis belong to?
    a) Romanticism
    b) Renaissance
    c) Restoration
    d) Victorian
    Answer: c) Restoration