Poem: On My First Son

The speaker in "On My First Son" compares the years of his son's short life to — a. the fingers of his right hand c. the length of a loan b. the world's harshness d. his own bad deeds

One characteristic of an epigram is ? a. metaphysical complexity c. the theme of love b. romanticism d. wittiness

What is the theme of "On My First Son"? a. the death of a child c. the birth of a child b. the responsibilities of fatherhood d. the purpose of suffering

A good epigram should be written in words that are — a. alliterative c. memorable b. elaborate d. conversational

Which of the following epitaphs can be considered epigrammatic? a. Rest in peace b. First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen c. How great thou art d. Here doth lie Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry

"Here doth lie / Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry" means — a. Ben Jonson was his own best poem, for his life was a work of art b. Ben Jonson made a practice of burying the manuscripts of his poems c. here lies Ben Jonson, who wrote a lot of good poetry d. Jonson's son, not his poetry, was his greatest creation

The lines "for why / Will man lament the state he should envy" mean that — a. people don't appreciate life while they have it b. although people grieve, death is not really sad c. parenthood is a state that many people envy, but they shouldn't d. the speaker does not understand basic human emotions such as love and grief

Which of the following is true of all epigrams? a. They contain a hidden truth. c. They confuse the reader. b. They always violate common sense. d. They are love poems.

In the poem "On My First Son," what is the "best piece of poetry"? a. the poem "On My First Son" itself c. Jonson's early writings b. Jonson's son d. the epitaph on Jonson's grave

Which of the following statements best summarizes the epigram of "On My First Son"? a. Children are like right hands because they help parents. b. Children are often our best accomplishments. c. Those who die young should rest in peace. d. The plague kills children as well as adults.

What fact about Donne's life fits best with the message of "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning"? a. As a young man, he was ambitious to become a courtier. b. He faced legal discrimination because of his Roman Catholic faith. c. He gave up many advantages to marry his wife, and they had twelve children together. d. He converted to the Church of England and wrote passionately against Catholicism.

Which of the following comes closest to what is meant by the last line of "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning"? a. The beloved makes the speaker feel like a complete person. c. The beloved's constancy will ensure that the speaker returns home. b. The speaker sees only repetition and boredom in this relationship. d. The beloved holds the speaker back from things he wants and needs to do.