英国文学问答题

英国文学问答题

Chapter I Renaissance Period

1.What are the common characteristics shared by the characters created by Marlowe? In what

way is Marlowe a humanist writer? (p.21)

Marlowe reveals man’s pursue of happiness, knowledge and power. In this way, Marlowe a humanist writer

2.What kind of character is Faustus?

Dr. Faustus is the hero created by Marlowe. He is one of the Renaissance heroes in Marlowe’s plays. He is individualistic and full of ambition, facing bravely the challenge from God. He shows Marlow’s human istic idea of human dignity and capacity. In portraying Faustus, an introspective and philosophical figure, Marlowe praises his soaring aspiration of knowledge while warning against the sin of pride since Faustus’s downfall was caused by his despair in God and trust in Devil.

3.Please analyze briefly Hamlet’s character features. What devices does Shakespeare use to

depict this sophisticated character? (P. 34)

4.What are the common characteristics shared by Shakespeare’s four tragedies? ( P.33)

5.Give a brief a nalysis of Hamlet, the titular character in Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet. (P. 34)

6.William Shakespeare is one of the most remarkable playwrights and poets the world has ever

known. Briefly discuss his artistic achievements in characterization.

His major characters are neither merely individual ones nor type ones: they are individuals representing certain types. Each character has his or her own personalities; meanwhile, they may share features with others.

7. William Shakespeare is one of the most remarkable playwrights the world has ever known.

(1) Name his four greatest tragedies.

(2) What are the characteristics of the four tragedies in common?

(3) Briefly summarize each hero' s weakness of nature.

A. Shakespeare's four greatest tragedies are: Hamlet, Othello, King Lear,and Macbeth.

B. Each portrays somke noble hero, who faces the injustice of human life and is caught in a difficult situation and whose fate is closely connected with the fate of the whole nation.

C. Each hero has his weakness of nature: Hamlet, the melancholic scholar; Othello' s inner weakness is made use of by the outside evil force; the old king Lear who is unwilling to totally give up his power; and Macbeth' s lust for power stirs up his ambition and leads him to incessant crimes.

8. "For herein Fortune shows herself more kind

Than in her custom; it is still her use

To let the wretched man outlive his wealth,

To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow

An age of poverty; from which ling’ring penance

Of such misery doth she cut me off."

T he above lines are taken from a speech made by Antonio, a major character in Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice. Why does Antonio say that Fortune is more kind to him than in her custom?

This sentence means she, Lady Fortune, is more kind to him because she is taking away both his wealth and life. The speaker is Antonio, it’s said that his ship have all been lost, and he is