1. What is the primary purpose of John Dryden’s “An Essay of Dramatic Poesy”?

• A. To chronicle the events of the English Civil War.
• B. To defend the state of 17th-century English theater and the use of rhyme in dramatic plays.
• C. To critique the works of ancient Greek and Roman playwrights exclusively.
• D. To provide a detailed historical account of the plague outbreak in London.

2. What significant historical event is occurring in the background of the dialogue in “An Essay of Dramatic Poesy”?

• A. The signing of the Magna Carta.
• B. A naval war between the English and the Dutch.
• C. The coronation of King James II.
• D. A major earthquake in London.

3. Which character in “An Essay of Dramatic Poesy” serves as John Dryden’s avatar and expresses his own views, particularly defending English literary and theatrical greatness?

• A. Eugenius.
• B. Crites.
• C. Lisideius.
• D. Neander.

4. What is Eugenius’s main argument for why the moderns surpass the ancients in writing?

• A. The moderns strictly adhere to the three unities of drama.
• B. The moderns possess greater knowledge of science and philosophy, enabling them to reproduce nature more faithfully.
• C. The moderns exclusively focus on comedic plays, which are superior.
• D. The moderns are better at inventing new plots, unlike the ancients who recycled them.

5. What is Crites’s primary objection to the use of rhyme (“poesy”) in dramatic plays?

• A. He believes it limits the poet’s creativity.
• B. He argues that it is too challenging for actors to perform effectively.
• C. He contends that it is unnatural because people do not speak in rhyme without premeditation.
• D. He thinks it makes plays overly long and boring.

6. In the context of “An Essay of Dramatic Poesy,” what did “Nature” primarily refer to during the Augustan age?

• A. The wild, untamed wilderness.
• B. Supernatural elements and mythical creatures.
• C. The (supposedly) universal experience of human nature and new understandings derived from scientific discovery.
• D. Emotional spontaneity and unbridled imagination.

7. Which of the following best illustrates a perceived contradiction in Dryden’s (through Neander’s) philosophy within the essay?

• A. His consistent praise of French theater, despite ostensibly defending English theater.
• B. His defense of tragicomedy and “messy” English plots that break the rules, while also valuing adherence to rules in other contexts or for other playwrights like Jonson.
• C. His argument that all plays should exclusively focus on historical events.
• D. His belief that poets should avoid wit in their writing.