Renaissance Poetry Test Review
Cold Read –
You will be required to read a sonnet you have not seen in class. You will need to be able to do the following:
· Find the rhyme scheme
· Locate the turn
· Identify the literary devices in the poem
· Identify the meaning of each stanza
· Identify the meaning in the couplet
You will also be required to read an article and write two short answers.
“The Passionate Shepherd to His Love.”
Give examples of pastoral elements from the story.
Seeing the Shepherds feed their flocks,
Melodious birds sing Madrigals.
A gown made of the finest wool / Which from our pretty Lambs we pull;
What are the gifts offered by the shepherd? Which ones will last and which ones will not?
And I will make thee beds of Roses – Not
A gown made of the finest wool – Not
Fair lined slippers for the cold,/With buckles of the purest gold; - Last
A belt of straw and Ivy buds, - Not
What do the gifts suggest about the shepherd?
He only cares about beautiful things and will stop caring for her when her beauty fades.
Why does the shepherd list all the places at the beginning of the poem?
It helps set the pastoral setting.
“The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd.”
What is the nymph’s tone, and how does it differ from the shepherd’s?
She is very mocking where as he was very idealistic.
Why is the nymph unable to be the shepherd’s love?
She believes his love will fade when faced with the realities that time brings. She does not think he will continue to love her when she gets older.
What change would need to occur in order for her to consider his request?
You would have to be able to stop time.
Both Pastoral
What are the two views on love, and how do they differ?
Shepherd – very idealistic, only looks at present
Nymph – very realistic, looks at future
“To His Coy Mistress.”
Why is it important for the woman to enjoy her youth?
Because she’ll die and no one will want her.
What is the key element in Carpe Diem poetry?
Time; it is always against you.
Give examples of carpe diem traits from the poem.
But at my back I always hear / Time's wingèd chariot hurrying near;
Thus, though we cannot make our sun /Stand still, yet we will make him run.
“To the Virgins.”
Give examples of Carpe Diem elements from the poem.
Old Time is still a-flying:
The glorious Lamp of Heaven, the Sun, /The higher he’s a-getting/The sooner will his race be run, /And nearer he’s to setting.
Give examples of symbolism found in the poem.
rose-buds = youth
Lamp of Heaven = sun
How does the speaker feel about youth?
It is short lived and should be used to marry.
Both Carpe Diem Poems
What similar theme is found?
Take advantage of youth.
“Sonnet 130.”
Speaker’s apparent attitude toward the mistress at the beginning of the sonnet.
Dislike – sounds insulting
Speaker’s attitude toward the mistress after couplet.
He loves her for who she is.
What is the rhyme scheme for a Shakespearean Sonnet?
ababcdcdefefgg
What is a quatrain?
Four line stanza that shares a rhyme scheme
What is a couplet?
Two consecutive rhyming lines
Where does the turn occur?
Third quatrain
“Sonnet 18.”
Give examples of alliteration found in the sonnet.
And every fair from fair sometime declines
By chance, or nature's changing course, untrimm'd;
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
Give examples of metaphors found in the sonnet.
eye of heaven = sun
eternal summer = everlasting youth
Ideas expressed in the first two quatrains.
Age is impossible to resist; with time comes maturity
Idea expressed in turn.
Death won’t take her.
Idea expressed in couplet.
She will live forever through his writing.
“Sonnet 30.”
What paradox is presented?
Fire and ice
How does the paradox create a problem for the speaker?
His love is ice that is not thawed by his fire.
How does Spencer’s sonnet differ from Shakespeare’s
Rhyme scheme
“Paradise Lost”
Give three examples of a Biblical allusion.
“Of man’s first disobedience”
“Till one greater Man/Restores us,”
“That shepherd who first taught the chosen seed”
What causes the war in Heaven?
Satan’s pride leads him to believe
Provide examples of Satan’s over confidence in himself.
“A mind not to be changed by place or time”
“Mixed with obdurate pride”
“He trusted to have equaled the Most High”
Why does God allow Satan to exist?
By doing bad he continues to damn himself and allows people to know goodness.
According to Satan, what is the benefit of being in Hell?
He is in charge.
Give examples to show God’s superior strength.
“so much the stronger proved/He with his thunder”
“Who now triumphs”
“And put to proof his high supremacy”
“whom I now/Of force believe almighty, since no less/Than such could have o’erpowered such a force as ours”