Correct option is B
Hero and Leander was completed after Marlowe’s death by George Chapman, giving it a second part that shifts tone and style.
Masque of Comus was commissioned for the household of John Egerton, the Earl of Bridgewater, and performed at Ludlow Castle; it reflects Puritan moral ideals despite its festive form.
Lycidas incorporates classical references (Orpheus, Phoebus) alongside Christian imagery, merging Renaissance humanism with Milton’s religious beliefs.
Paradise Lost was originally published in ten books, later revised into twelve for the 1674 edition. Milton wrote it while blind, dictating verses to assistants.
The Waste Land was heavily edited by Ezra Pound, whose revisions shaped its final form; it is divided into five sections, each with distinct tonal and thematic qualities.
Information Booster:-
The Waste Land embodies modernist techniques such as fragmentation, mythic method, and polyphony, influencing generations of 20th-century poets.
1. "Hero and Leander" by Christopher Marlowe: This narrative poem was written by Marlowe in the late 16th century and tells the tragic love story of Hero, a priestess of Aphrodite, and Leander, a young man who swims across the Hellespont to be with her. Christopher Marlowe's unfinished poem "Hero and Leander" was written in 1593.
2. "Masque of Comus" by John Milton: This masque, or dramatic entertainment, was written by Milton in 1634. It combines elements of drama, poetry, and music and explores themes of virtue and temptation.
3. "Lycidas" by John Milton: This elegy was written by Milton in 1637 and is a tribute to his friend Edward King. It's a pastoral poem that reflects on themes of loss, mortality, and the uncertainties of life.
4. "Paradise Lost" by John Milton: This epic poem, considered one of the greatest works in the English language, was written by Milton over several years, with the first edition published in 1667. "Paradise Lost" tells the story of the fall of Satan and humanity and explores themes of free will, disobedience, and redemption.
5. "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot: This modernist poem was published in 1922. It's a complex and fragmented work that reflects the disillusionment and fragmentation of the post-World War I world. "The Waste Land" is known for its allusions, symbolism, and exploration of cultural and spiritual decay.
This sequence reflects the chronological development of these works, from the late 16th century to the early 20th century, showcasing the evolution of literary styles and themes over time.
Additional Knowledge:
Marlowe’s Hero and Leander stands out for its elaborate descriptions and playful eroticism, a contrast to later moralistic readings of myth.
Milton’s Masque of Comus is an important example of the masque genre transitioning into more serious moral theatre before it faded in popularity.
Lycidas exemplifies the “pastoral elegy” tradition, drawing on models like Theocritus, Virgil, and Spenser.
Paradise Lost is deeply influenced by both classical epics (Homer, Virgil) and Protestant theology, aiming to “justify the ways of God to men.”
English
10 Questions
20 Marks
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