medieval literature and culture MCQs – Page 5

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

medieval literature and culture Mcqs

81. What is a lay in medieval literature ?
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A. a short lyrical poem

B. a type of book of hours

C. a story of a saints life

D. a devotional text used by anchoresses

82. Which of the following typify the oralformulaic ?
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A. The use of epithets with characters names

B. An episodic structure

C. The repetition of words

D. All of the Above

83. Why do most critics also refer to the Middle Ages as the Dark Ages ?
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A. there are few primary sources that reconstruct the history of the time

B. the lack of technology made it literally dark

C. the production of historical records increased

D. it was a period of surging Roman institutions

84. In The Book of the City of Ladies, what is the function of the character Reason ?
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A. she helps the narrator see the merits of women

B. she offers real reasons as to why women are valuable to society

C. All of the Above

D. she literally helps build the city

85. How did courtly literature characterize its heroines ?
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A. they were examples of mystical unions

B. they were sources of inspiration for heroic action

C. they always represented the evil side of love

D. they were never chaste or pious

86. Why is the concept of feudalism important in medieval literature ?
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A. Feudalism represents interesting family quarrels that make for good stories.

B. Feudalism represents an economic hierarchy, the upper levels of which created and consumed literature.

C. Feudalism represents the world ofscholars who studied the ancient texts of the past.

D. The feudal world is one of glamor and beauty.

87. Which topic(s) is/are explored in The Lais of Marie de France ?
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A. superstition

B. jealous fathers

C. All of the Above

D. adultery

88. The Book of the City of Ladies articulates which of the following themes________________?
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A. the merit of women

B. the value of practical virtues over traditional feminine virtues

C. the lack of truth in mens stereotypes about women

D. All of the Above

89. Which of the following was a result of Charlemanges decree on the production of books ?
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A. it declared that books should be produced by men

B. it opened up new opportunities for women to learn

C. it ended the Churchs role in the creation of books

D. it led to a sudden increase of women as scholars and authors

90. In the Middle Ages, how did religious and secular concepts of virginity differ ?
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A. religious doctrines said that virginity was an ethereal treasure, while secular authorities said it was spendable

B. secular authorities said that virginity was an ethereal treasure, while religious doctrines said it was spendable

C. secular authorities said that virginity was unimportant, while the Church highly valued it

D. the Church said that virginity was unimportant, while the secular authorities highly valued it

91. What led to the alliterative revival ?
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A. The introduction to new poetic forms during the Norman invasion

B. A return to reading poetry from the 11th and 12th centuries

C. The influence of southern courtly poets writing in French and Latin

D. A surge in English nationalism

92. Despite the fact that the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle continued well into the Norman rule of the 12th century, which king originally commissioned this work ?
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A. King Arthur

B. William the Conqueror

C. King Harold

D. Alfred the Great

93. How was mystical literature significant ?
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A. Mystical literature prohibited women from writing in the voice of God.

B. Mystical literature ended the trend of poems in which God was cast as a lover.

C. Mystical literature provided a place for women to write romantic and religious literature.

D. Mystical literature suggested the continued link between paganism and Christianity.

94. Which of the following is the best example of a morality play ?
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A. The Second Shepherds Play

B. Everyman

C. The Dream of the Rood

D. The Seafarer

95. How do historians explain the increase in the number of troubadours in the Middle Ages ?
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A. the decreased public interest in religious stories

B. the public disinterest in popular tales about romance

C. the increased interest in stories written in medieval Latin

D. the French lords lack of interest in tales of courtly love

96. How did increased lay participation in religious life impact monasteries ?
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A. it made them more valuable sources of information

B. it made them seem irrelevant since they separated religious life from worldly life

C. it made them symbols of the Churchs progress

D. it made them more important since there were few literate lay worshipers

97. With which genre is The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity most closely associated ?
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A. romance

B. hagiography

C. medieval lay

D. courtly love

98. What distinguishes morality plays from mystery plays ?
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A. Mystery plays involve Christian themes, whereas morality plays do not.

B. Morality plays were written individually, whereas mystery plays are in cycles.

C. Morality plays involve Christian themes, whereas mystery plays do not.

D. Mystery plays were written individually, whereas morality plays are in cycles.

99. Who wrote The Rules of Courtly Love ?
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A. Christine de Pizan

B. Andreas Capellanus

C. Catherine of Sienna

D. Chretien de Troye

100. Pride in ones accomplishments was important to the Anglo-Saxon thegn. If so, why does Hrothgar say in Beowulf: do not give way to pride ?
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A. Pride causes one to appear immodest.

B. Extreme pride can cause one to be overly secure and make mistakes.

C. Pride is one of the deadly sins.

D. Hrothgar believes it is important to stay focused on revenge.

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