VMOU INTERNAL ASSINGMENT Paper Code EG-01: Poetry and Drama

Paper Code EG-01: Poetry and Drama

Section-A (Very Short Answer Type Questions)

(Note: Answer all questions. As per the nature of the question, you delimit your answer in one word, one sentence, or a maximum of 30 words. Each question carries 1 mark. 6×1=06)

1. How many sonnets did Shakespeare write?

• Answer: 154.

1. Who was Orphesus?

• Answer: Orpheus was a legendary musician, poet, and prophet in ancient Greek religion and myth.

1. What is a couplet?

• Answer: A couplet is a pair of consecutive lines of poetry that typically rhyme and have the same meter.

1. What is Neo-classical school?

• Answer: The Neo-classical school refers to a movement in literature that drew inspiration from classical art and culture, emphasizing order, logic, and restrained emotion.

1. Who saved Antonio?

• Answer: Portia saved Antonio in “The Merchant of Venice.”

1. Who wrote ‘Essay on Man’?

• Answer: Alexander Pope.

Section-B (Short Answer Questions)

(Note: Answer any 4 questions. Each answer should not exceed 100 words. Each question carries 3 marks. 4×3=12)

2. Comment on the scene of Caesar’s murder.

• Answer: The scene of Caesar’s murder in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” is a pivotal moment where Brutus and the other conspirators stab Caesar. Caesar’s famous line, “Et tu, Brute?” highlights his sense of betrayal by Brutus, whom he trusted.

2. Discuss symbolism with reference to Blake’s The Chimney Sweeper.

• Answer: In Blake’s “The Chimney Sweeper,” symbolism is used to critique social injustice. The soot-covered child symbolizes innocence lost to the harsh realities of life. The “coffins of black” represent the oppressive conditions of child labor.

2. How did the rivalry between Shylock and Antonio begin and what were the consequences?

• Answer: The rivalry began due to Antonio’s disdain for Shylock’s money-lending practices and public humiliation of Shylock. The consequences were severe, leading to Shylock demanding a pound of Antonio’s flesh as collateral for a loan, escalating to a dramatic trial.

2. Throw light on the main characteristics of metaphysical poetry.

• Answer: Metaphysical poetry is characterized by complex imagery, paradoxes, and philosophical themes. Poets like John Donne used wit and elaborate metaphors, often drawing on scientific and theological concepts.

2. Write a critical summary of ‘Death Be Not Proud’.

• Answer: John Donne’s sonnet “Death Be Not Proud” personifies Death, arguing it is not as powerful or fearsome as it seems. Donne asserts that death is merely a transition to eternal life, ultimately rendering it powerless and subject to human destiny.

Section-C (Long Answer Questions)

(Note: Answer any two questions. You have to delimit each answer to a maximum of 400 words. Each question carries 06 marks. 2×6=12)

7. Write the summary of the play Julius Caesar.

• Answer: “Julius Caesar” is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, detailing the political conspiracy against the Roman dictator Julius Caesar, his assassination, and its aftermath. Key characters include Brutus, who is torn between loyalty to Caesar and duty to Rome, and Marc Antony, who turns the public against the conspirators with his famous funeral oration. The play explores themes of power, betrayal, and political morality.

7. Write the character sketch of Portia with examples to support your answer.

• Answer: Portia, in “The Merchant of Venice,” is intelligent, resourceful, and compassionate. Disguised as a lawyer, she saves Antonio with her sharp wit, interpreting the law ingeniously to outsmart Shylock. Portia embodies the ideal of mercy, advocating for it in the courtroom, and her loyalty and love for Bassanio highlight her personal virtues.

7. Discuss Milton’s On His Blindness as an autobiographical sonnet.

• Answer: John Milton’s sonnet “On His Blindness” reflects his struggle with losing his sight and his faith in God’s plan. The poem conveys Milton’s fear of being unable to fulfill his purpose and his eventual acceptance that serving God doesn’t require physical sight but rather steadfast faith and patience.

7. Explain the metaphors used in the sonnet Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds.
   • Answer: In Shakespeare’s sonnet “Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds,” metaphors like the “ever-fixed mark” and the “star to every wandering bark” are used to describe unwavering and guiding love. Love is depicted as enduring and constant, unaffected by time or challenges, symbolizing its ideal and eternal nature.

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This completes the assignment for Paper Code EG-01: Poetry and Drama.