British Literature Final Exam Review

what does the term metaphysical mean?

transcendent

what is a metaphysical conceit?

an extended metaphor

In the poem, “ A Valediction Forbidding Mourning, "The moving of the earth refers to………," 

earthquakes (earth’s disasters)

In the opening stanza of “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning,” the speaker compares his leave-taking to.....

As virtuous men pass mildly away,

   And whisper to their souls to go,

Whilst some of their sad friends do say

   The breath goes now, and some say, No:

So let us melt, and make no noise,

   No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move;

'Twere profanation of our joys

   To tell the laity our love.

the devastation caused by an earthquake

In Donne’s “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning,” what was the the poem’s major conceit?

how lovers were like a compass

what is The Collar by George Herbert about"?

It is about a speaker’s struggle with religious vows and a desire for freedom from them. He expresses anger and frustration with his religious duties, feeling trapped and longing for a life outside of them. The poem makes a turn was the speaker hears God’s voice and it calms him down, returning to his faith.,

what does The Collar by George Herbert dramatize?

religious rebellion and reconciliation

what does the speaker in The Collar, wish for?

unrestricted behavior

what is the main difference between the metaphysical poets and the cavalier poets?

The cavalier poets were concerned with the now and the metaphysical were concerned with the deeper meanings

“Cavalier poets” is a broad description of a school of English poets of the 17th century, who came from the classes that supported which monarch during the English Civil War?

Charles l

what is the concept behind carpe diem?

enjoy the present

what is "To the Virgins, To Make Much of Time” about?

it is mainly about living in the moment and don’t waste the precious time that we have in life, especially the prime of ones youth. It is an example of carpe diem and it emphasizes the fleeting time of nature and how death can be closer than we might think. Advice’s women to embrace their youth and explore opportunities.

At the beginning of Act I, what is happening as the story begins concerning Macbeth?

a vicious battle is being waged

In Scene 1, the witches chant, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair; / Hover through the fog and filthy air."

What does this statement suggest about the witches’ perspective on the world?

 

They embrace a world where opposites blur together.

In Act I, Scene 2, the Captain compares the battle to “two spent swimmers that do cling together / And choke their art.”

What does this metaphor suggest about the nature of the conflict?

 

The Scots are overwhelmingly stronger than their enemies.

how is Duncan when it comes to leader leadership?

  quickly rewards loyalty and punishes betrayal.

Both the witches and Macbeth use the words, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair"  What does it show?

 

That there is a strong connection between the two.

In Act I, Scene 3, Banquo describes the witches: "What are these / So withered and so wild in their attire, / That look not like the inhabitants o’ the earth, / And yet are on’t?"

What does Banquo’s description of the witches suggest about their nature?

 

They are otherworldly and defy conventional understanding.

What atmosphere is Shakespeare trying to set with these scenes 1-3, in Act I?

 

Shakespeare is wanting the reader to feel uncomfortable as if there is something more to come. Furthermore, he is setting the tone to show the reader that there is relevant foreshadowing that will impact Macbeth's downfall.

What is the main purpose of Plato's Allegory of the Cave?

 

To illustrate the difference between appearance and reality

Which best summarizes Banquo's main point in the soliloquy below?

 

The witches were right about Macbeth (even if he cheated to get the crown); surely they must be right about me, too.

Which good quality does Macbeth say in Act III, Scene 1 he most fears in Banquo?

 

Wise courage

Macbeth says, "The worm that's fled Hath nature that in time will venom breed, No teeth for the present." What does that mean?

 

Fleance's descendants will be a problem in the future, but Fleance is no immediate threat, so Macbeth will not pursue him now

who is hecate in macbeth?

The goddess of witchcraft and sorcery, and the mistress of the three witches. She enraged that the main trio of witches have interfered with Macbeth without consulting her

who is lennox in macbeth?

a Scottish nobleman and a close follower of King Duncan

who is duncan in macbeth?

king Duncan, the king of Scotland, and father of Malcolm and Donalbain

who is Banquo?

a thane in Duncans army, who was Macbeths friend at the beginning. He is also the father of Fleance

What does Lennox think about Macbeth, Fleance, and Duncan's sons?

 

Macbeth is good, Fleance killed Banquo and Duncan's son killed him

When Macbeth says “Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown / And put a barren scepter in my gripe . . .” he means?

 

He has no male children.

Which statement is most true about Act 3 of Macbeth?

 

Macbeth now takes the initiative to do evil deeds

where is Malcolm located at the end of Act lll?

in England

in Act IV what is Macbeth's attitude towards the witches this time?

he is demanding, trying to take charge

What four things did the witches show Macbeth? What does each show/say? What is Macbeth's reaction?

 

They show him an armed head (beware MacDuff), a bloody child (not be harmed by anyone "born of woman") a crowned child with a tree in hand (not be vaquished 'til Birnam wood comes to Dunsinane) and 8 kings followed by Banquo's ghost with mirror (Banquo descendent will be kings)

Where is Macduff's location during Act IV?

 

He is in England helping Malcolm

Malcolm says, "Let's go share our sorrows together."  Macduff says, "No, let's be men and not cry."
 How is this ironic later in the scene?

 

Macduff wants to weep and Malcolm is urging him to be strong

who is Macduff?

a loyal than in Duncans army/service, and he also killed Macbeth

Why does Malcolm misrepresent himself to Macduff and pretend that he's lustful, greedy, and terrorizing?

 

Malcolm wanted to be sure Macduff wasn't tricking him to betray him to Macbeth

who is Ross?

a Scottish thane, who delievsrs important news, acting as a messenger. He told Macduff his family was murdered.

What type of king does Malcolm tell Macduff he (Malcolm) will be? Why does he say such things?

 

He makes the big speech about having none of the "king-becoming graces" he is saying what a terrible king he would make in order to test Macduff.

Why does Macbeth have Macduff's family and servants killed?

 

Macbeth is angry because Macduff has not been loyal to him.

Images of babies and children recur in Act IV of Macbeth. What does this imagery most likely represent in the context of the play?

 

The future, which Macbeth is trying to control

Macbeth

Superb general, he is a physically powerful man, able in a fight to eviscerate a man with an upward stroke; will kill with ambition

Lady Macbeth

Ruthless woman. More openly ambitious than her husband

Malcolm

Duncans oldest son

Lady Macduff

Castigates MacDuff in his absence for a lack of wisdom and normal human feeling.

who is seyton

Macbeth's lieutenant and servant