medieval literature and culture MCQs – Page 10

Practise focused medieval literature and culture questions with marked answers for exam preparation and subject revision.

medieval literature and culture Mcqs
181. What is the primary purpose of Chetien de Troyes medieval romances ?
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A. To sway audiences away from reading tales of courtly love

B. To inform illiterate readers about Arthurian legend

C. To convert readers to Christianity through positive examples

D. To reconcile the heros responsibilities in love and wars
182. How is the lai similar to a medieval romance ?
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A. Both include stacked tales in a single sequential narrative.

B. Both have courtly love as their central theme.

C. Both are designed in an episodic manner.

D. Both are usually intended to be sung as hymns.

183. The home of Chaucers royal patron and friend, John of Gaunt, was burned duringthe Peasants Revolt of 138. What events led to this revolt ?
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A. All of these answers

B. The high rates of the poll tax were considered unfair.

C. Peasants were jointly united against the pattern of upper-class harassments

D. Government policies were incorrectly based on the idea that the rich would help the poor survive.

184. The Second Shepherds Play is part of which play cycle ?
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A. Cornish cycle

B. Wakefield cycle

C. Roman cycle

D. York cycle

185. Which of the following accurately describes the way in which the comitatus ethic is represented in Beowulf, The Seafarer, and The Wanderer ?
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A. As an economic system of rewards used to ensure warriors reliability

B. All of these answers

C. As a mutually beneficial relationship between rulers and warriors

D. As a pre-feudal power structure based on the distribution of economic and military resources

186. Why is the Battle of Hastings relevant to the development of Middle English ?
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A. All of these answers

B. Eventually English was reestablished, deeply influenced by Norman French.

C. For a time, England became a country with two languages.

D. English as a language of the kings court was replaced by Norman French.

187. In Acrene Wisse, the mission of the anchorite was justified through what purpose ?
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A. To pray

B. To withdraw and meditate upon God

C. To preach

D. To serve the church

188. Which of the following statements best characterizes the work of early monks in shaping future medieval church life ?
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A. All of these answers

B. They were promoters of the monastic life.

C. They were extremely charismatic.

D. They wanted to move from the basics of Christian faith to a full Christian life.

189. Which of the following best defines wergild ?
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A. The image used to share qualities in a metaphor or simile

B. Giving inanimate objects human qualities

C. A metaphorical compound

D. A reparational payment demanded of a person guilty of homicide
190. Which of the following genres applies to Langlands Piers Plowman ?
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A. Social satire

B. All of these answers

C. Allegory

D. Dream vision

191. The turbulent years of the 14th century witnessed a blending of language and culture that led to the rise of Middle English. Which of the following events led to the nickname the era of catastrophes ?
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A. The Great Schism

B. All of these answers

C. The Black Plague

D. The Hundred Years War

192. In Chaucers The Millers Tale, why would the millers determination to speak following the knight appear unsettling to the 14th century audience ?
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A. The miller was far beneath the knight in social order, so the miller should have deferred to the person who ranked above him.

B. The knight had not finished his tale.

C. The miller did not ask politely.

D. A member of the clergy should have spoken next.

193. What was the primary function of The Rule of Saint Benedict ?
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A. The Rule of Saint Benedict explained the new architectural style.

B. The Rule of Saint Benedict was the first example of poetry written in the vernacular language.

C. The Rule of Saint Benedict offered an early example of dream poetry.

D. The Rule of Saint Benedict standardized monasticism.
194. Which of the following is not a characteristic of Old English ?
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A. Alliteration

B. Romance

C. Caesura

D. Personification