English Literature Mcqs
According to most critics, how does Dante distinguish love from lust ?

A. Lust is often pure, while love tends to be crude.
B. Lust and love are both sins that place the sinner in hell.
C. Lust involves the subordination of reason to desire.
D. Lust leads to moral improvement, while love is a more destructive force.

According to critics, how does Dante’s underworld differ from Virgil’s hell ?

A. Unlike virgil’s hell, dante’s underworld focuses on punishment for sins.
B. Unlike virgil’s hell, dante’s underworld is concerned with destiny and future.
C. Unlike virgil’s hell, dante’s underworld is not expected to last forever.
D. Unlike virgil’s hell, dante’s underworld does not include examples of justice.

Which of the following is the theme of De Vulgari Eloquentia ?

A. The historical evolution of language
B. The language of different literary genres
C. The difference between grammar and language
D. All of the above

While in exile, how did Dante’s opinions about monarchy shift ?

A. He came to prefer the idea of an enlightened emperor.
B. He decided that only a dictator should be in power.
C. He decided that only the catholic church should be in power.
D. He came to the realization that all emperors are unjust.

Which of the following best represents Dante’s criticism of the medieval Church ?

A. He thought the popes failed to live up the requirements of their offices.
B. He disbelieved in the christian doctrine.
C. He believed that most of the teachings were incorrect.
D. He thought that the popes were the only successful part of the church.

Which of the following historical events occurred in Dante’s lifetime ?

A. The italian renaissance
B. The black death
C. The crusades
D. The enlightenment

What is the translation of the term “dolce stil novo” ?

A. “the sweet silence”
B. “the sweetness of love”
C. “sweet and still”
D. “sweet new style”

In which way was Dante a precursor of humanism ?

A. He wrote classical epics with christian materials.
B. He promoted the worship of idolatrous statues from the ancient times.
C. He rejected the influence of scholasticism.
D. He was uninterested in the poetics of the sublime.

What did Dante have in common with Aquinas ?

A. Both believed that reason was unrelated to faith.
B. Both believed in the joint power of the church and the state.
C. Both believed that only faith was an important part of the christian worldview.
D. Both believed that reason and faith were part of the quest for truth.

In which of the following ways was Dante involved in the Italian politics of his time ?

A. He held several positions in the local government.
B. He conducted diplomatic missions.
C. He literally fought at the battle of campaldino.
D. All of the above