Dr.M.Mazumdar

1. What is the duration of the Age of Chaucer? Ans: The duration of the Age of Chaucer is 1340-1400. 2. Who is called the father of English poetry? Ans: Geoffrey Chaucer is called the father of English poetry? 3. Who is Chaucer?  Ans: Geoffrey Chaucer, the Father of English literature, is the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages. 4. Why is Chaucer called the father of English Language? Ans: Chaucer is called the father of English Language because he transformed English from a dialect to a language and dared to venture literary works like The Canterbury Tales in this dialect. 5. Who are the contemporaries of Chaucer? Ans: William Langland and John Wyclif were two contemporary writers of Chaucer. 6. Who is Langland? Ans: William Langland, a contemporary poet of Chaucer, is the presumed author of a the alliterative verse Piers Plowman. 7. What is "Piers Plowman"? Ans: "Piers Plowman" is a Middle English allegorical narrative poem by William Langland. 8. Who is Thom...

1. “Vayne man”, said she, “that does in vaine assay,”- Who says this and to whom? Explain the significance of ‘vayne’ and ‘vaine’, Ans:- The line is taken from Edmund Spenser’s sonnet ‘One Day I Wrote Her Name’. This is said by the ladylove. She said these words to the poet lover Spenser. Vayne means full of vanity and boastfulness. ‘Vaine’ means uselessly or without the desired result. The ladylove mocks at the poet’s effort to immortalize her name by writing it on the sea-beach because waves will wash it away. Then the lady said the poet lover in mocking tone that he was trying in vain by writing her name on the sand. The lover then realized that writing verses for her might immortalize their love. 2. Why does Edmund Spenser say, “Our love shall live, and later life renew”? Ans:- Here Spenser says that their mutual love will live forever because of his poetic creation would have regenerative power which would bestow immortality upon their love although they shall lose their physical ...

1. Elizabethan sonnet tradition The sonnet is a form of lyric poetry which originated in Sicily and Italy, way back in the thirteenth century and in the later Medieval Period of European history. The word sonnet derives from the Italian sonnetto, which means a ‘little sound’ or a ‘song’. Usually, a sonnet consists of fourteen lines, divided either into an octave or a sestet, or into quatrains and couplets. But the most important aspect of a sonnet is to fit a particular thought, idea or feeling within the structure and form of a fourteen lined, usually iambic pentameter stanza. It demands tremendous discipline of thought, integrity of feeling and expertise of language. Most commonly, a sonnet concerns itself with love, although there have been sonnets on other themes, through various periods of history. At its time of origin, the sonnet, most probably, performed the function of private love letters towards the beloved from the lover, in order to apprise her of his condition. They were ...

1. Elizabethan Drama Introduction The reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603) ushered in an era of well being, new discoveries and artistic pursuits in England. The theatre or Elizabethan Drama, as entertainment flourished and became popular. Characteristics of Elizabethan Drama:- In the Elizabethan Times, Drama became the national passion with a wide variety of people from merchants to peasants vying for a place in the social order and stability in the Elizabethan times. The new Elizabethan introduced a hero who was not ascertained of his fate and was full of doubts and passions that catapulted drama as the favourite pass time for many.      The use of metaphors in text and performances was so successful that it led to the opening of the first public theatre known as ‘The Theatre’ by carpenter James Burbage.      This was the spark that ignited the passion that led to Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson and Shakespeare and Shakespeare's famous “The Globe” in th...

1. What is Shaw’s interesting opinion on ‘routine’? Ans: Routine, according to Show was supposed to suit everybody but in reality suits nobody.  2. Why were English people going to live in Germany astonished?  Ans: The English people going to live in Germany were astonished as they realised that German boots were not divorced into rights and lefts.  3. Why is vinci’s notebook considered funny?  Ans: Vinci’s notebook is considered funny for it claimed that the Earth is a moon of the sun.  4. Why does Shaw call himself ‘an educated man’? Ans: Shaw calls himself ‘an educated man’ for in the last sixty years of his life, he has acquired knowledge of subjects beyond those taught in his school. This has equipped him better in life for there is minimal gap between his acquired knowledge and life lessons.  5. Why didn’t the governess teach Shaw the table logarithms and the binomial theorem?  Ans: Shaw’s governess probably didn’t teach him the table logarithms ...

1. What are the major themes of Spenser's Amoretti sequence? Ans:- The sonnet "Amoretti 78" was written by Edmund Spenser who was born in 1552 and died in 1599. The poet is best known for his epic poem "The Faerie Queene" where he created his famous Spenserian stanza.     The meaning of Amoretti is "little love". One of the major themes of Spenser's Amoretti sequence is the frustration of unrequited love. This was a common theme in Elizabethan poetry and Spenser exploits it to the full. Later on in the sequence, however, he will depart from the prevailing norm and present us with a celebration of love both human and divine. In the early sonnets of the Amoretti sequence, Spenser concentrates mainly on the frustrations of unrequited love. He is in good company here because this particular theme was quite common in Elizabethan poetry.    The poem is addressed to the nineteen years old young lady he loved who was named Elizabeth Boyle. Love is the main...

1. Summary Bhupen Hazarika's "The Voyage" is a musical and poetic masterpiece that encapsulates the essence of human existence, cultural diversity, and the journey of life. In approximately 1000 words, I will provide a detailed summary of this profound composition. "The Voyage" begins with an exploration of the diverse landscapes and cultures that shape the human experience. Hazarika's evocative lyrics celebrate the rich tapestry of life, weaving together tales of different communities and their unique traditions. The music mirrors this diversity, incorporating a melange of instruments to represent the myriad influences that contribute to the human voyage. As the composition unfolds, Hazarika delves into the complexities of identity and belonging. He emphasizes the interconnectedness of humanity, urging listeners to recognize the shared experiences that unite us all. Through poignant verses, he paints a picture of a world where cultural boundaries blur, and ...

1. "O Captain! My Captain! our fearful trip is done; The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won; The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting"  a) Who is the persona?     Ans. The poet himself is the persona here. b) Who is the persona addressing here? Ans. The great Captain Abraham Lincoln is the persona addressing here. c) Who is exulting and where are they? A. The common mass who are eagerly waiting for the Captain to return for his "fearful trip", are exulting upon the port. 2. "My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still; My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;" a) What is the relationship between the captain and the persona?  A. There is no personal relationship between them. The captain is here the American President Abraham Lincoln and the persona is the poet, who is just a common people of Lincoln's state. Even these two never meet with each other.       b) Why does the ...

Q1:- Who tells the Nun’n Priest’s tale? A:- The priest traveling with the prioress Q2:- How many priests were there originally? A:- Three Q3: Why did Chaucer abandon the other two priests and not the third? A:- He needed to tell the Nun’s Priest’s tale Q4:- Who is the main character? A:- Chaunticleer Q5:- Who is Chaunticleer? A:- A rooster Q6:- Who is Chanticleer’s prettiest wife? A:- Pertelote Q7:- Where does this take place? A:- At the cottage of an old widow Q8:-How many hens were there? A:- Seven Q9:- What is Chaunticleer’s dream of? Ans:- That something tried to eat him Q10:- Who dismisses his dreams? Ans:- Pertelote 11. Briefly discuss pride as one of the main themes of "The Nun's Priest's Tale" in The Canterbury Tales? Ans:- One of the main themes in Chaucer's "The Nun's Priest's Tale" is pride. Chaunticleer is a proud rooster whose pride almost costs him his life. Pertelote is a proud hen whose pride keeps her from recognizing the warning...