MJC 4 SUGGESTION 2026 3RD SEMESTER ENGLISH HONS BANKURA UNIVERSITY,3rd Semester MJC 4 English Hons Suggestion 2026

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MJC-4:MJC 4 3RD SEMESTER ENGLISH HONS BANKURA UNIVERSITY

Content: Important Short (2 Marks) & Long (10 Marks) Questions based on University Syllabus.

UNIT I: John Milton - Paradise Lost (Book I)

A. Short Questions (2 Marks)

  1. What is the main theme of Paradise Lost as stated in the invocation?
  2. Who is the Muse invoked by Milton in Book I?
  3. Which fallen angel is described as standing next to Satan in command?
  4. What is "Pandemonium" in the context of Book I?
  5. Explain the phrase "Darkness Visible."
  6. Who was Mulciber and what was his role?
  7. How many times does Milton invoke the Muse in Paradise Lost?
  8. What is an "Epic Simile"? Give one example from Book I.
  9. Why does Satan say, "The mind is its own place"?
  10. What does the name "Beelzebub" signify?

B. Long Questions (10 Marks)

  1. Discuss Paradise Lost Book I as a Classical Epic. Focus on conventions like the Invocation and Cataloging.
  2. "Satan is the hero of Paradise Lost Book I." Discuss this statement with arguments for and against.
  3. Critically analyze the character of Satan as depicted in Book I. Is he a tragic figure or an embodiment of evil?
  4. Describe the building of Pandemonium. What is its significance in the poem?
  5. Examine Milton’s description of Hell. How does it reflect the internal state of the fallen angels?
  6. Discuss the use of Epic Similes in Book I. How do they enhance the narrative?
  7. Analyze the rhetorical power of Satan’s speeches. How does he rally the fallen angels?
  8. Write a note on the autobiographical elements found in the invocation of Book I.
  9. Compare and contrast the characters of Satan and Beelzebub.
  10. "Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven." Discuss the significance of this philosophy in the context of the poem.

UNIT I: Alexander Pope - An Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot

A. Short Questions (2 Marks)

  1. Why did Pope write the Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot?
  2. Who was Dr. Arbuthnot?
  3. Identify the person represented by the character "Atticus."
  4. Who is "Sporus" in the poem?
  5. Explain the phrase "Damn with faint praise."
  6. What is the "Humble Petition" mentioned in the opening lines?
  7. What does Pope mean by "breaking a butterfly upon a wheel"?
  8. How does Pope describe his own parents in the poem?
  9. Define "Neoclassical Satire."
  10. What is a Heroic Couplet?

B. Long Questions (10 Marks)

  1. Discuss An Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot as an autobiographical poem.
  2. "The poem is an apology for satire." Justify this statement.
  3. Critically evaluate the character sketch of Atticus (Joseph Addison).
  4. Analyze the satirical portrait of Sporus (Lord Hervey). How does Pope use imagery to demean him?
  5. Discuss Pope’s use of the Heroic Couplet in the poem.
  6. How does Pope defend his career and moral integrity in this Epistle?
  7. Compare the portraits of Atticus and Sporus. How do the satirical methods differ?
  8. Discuss the features of Neoclassical poetry found in this text.
  9. "Pope is a poet of wit and malice." Discuss with reference to the poem.
  10. Summarize the final prayer/blessing Pope offers for Dr. Arbuthnot.

UNIT II: Thomas Otway - Venice Preserved

A. Short Questions (2 Marks)

  1. What is the genre of Venice Preserved?
  2. Who is Belvidera?
  3. Why was Jaffeir expelled from Priuli’s house?
  4. Who is Pierre?
  5. What is the "Nicky-Nacky" scene?
  6. Who is Antonio?
  7. Why does Jaffeir join the conspiracy?
  8. How does Pierre die?
  9. What is the subtitle of the play Venice Preserved?
  10. Who is the Senator that Belvidera is handed over to as a hostage?

B. Long Questions (10 Marks)

  1. Discuss Venice Preserved as a Restoration Tragedy.
  2. Analyze the character of Jaffeir. Is he a hero or a weakling?
  3. Discuss the character of Belvidera. How does she influence the plot?
  4. "The conflict between Love and Honor is the central theme of the play." Discuss.
  5. Examine the friendship between Jaffeir and Pierre.
  6. Discuss the political allegory in Venice Preserved (The Popish Plot).
  7. Critically analyze the role of the Senate in the play.
  8. Contrast the characters of Pierre and Jaffeir.
  9. Discuss the significance of the "Nicky-Nacky" scenes. Do they fit in a tragedy?
  10. Describe the final scene of the play and its tragic impact.

UNIT III: History of English Literature (Jacobean to Restoration)

A. Short Questions (2 Marks)

  1. Name two University Wits.
  2. What is meant by the "Jacobean Age"?
  3. Who coined the term "Metaphysical Poets"?
  4. Name two Cavalier Poets.
  5. When were the theatres closed and reopened in England?
  6. What is "Comedy of Manners"?
  7. Name two major works of John Webster.
  8. Who wrote The Duchess of Malfi?
  9. Define "Revenge Tragedy."
  10. What was the primary literary contribution of the Puritan Age?

B. Long Questions (10 Marks)

  1. Write a detailed essay on the University Wits and their contribution to English Drama.
  2. Discuss the characteristics of Jacobean Drama with special reference to Revenge Tragedy.
  3. Analyze the main features of Metaphysical Poetry with reference to John Donne.
  4. Trace the rise and development of the Restoration Comedy of Manners.
  5. Discuss the impact of the Puritan Age on English Literature.
  6. Write a critical note on the Cavalier Poets.
  7. Evaluate the contribution of John Dryden to Restoration literature.
  8. Discuss the decline of drama after Shakespeare (The Decadent Drama).
  9. Write a note on the development of Prose during the Restoration period.
  10. Compare Elizabethan Drama with Restoration Drama.

UNIT IV: Rhetoric and Prosody

A. Short Questions (2 Marks)

  1. Define Metaphor with an example.
  2. What is an Oxymoron?
  3. Define Onomatopoeia.
  4. What is the difference between Simile and Metaphor?
  5. Define Personification.
  6. What is a "Foot" in prosody?
  7. Define Iambic Pentameter.
  8. What is a Caesura?
  9. Define Alliteration.
  10. What is a Spenserian Stanza?

B. Long Questions (10 Marks)

  1. Write a detailed note on the different types of Metre in English poetry (Iambic, Trochaic, Anapestic, Dactylic).
  2. Explain the structure and significance of the Heroic Couplet with examples.
  3. Discuss the difference between "Blank Verse" and "Free Verse."
  4. Write a note on the Sonnet form (Petrarchan vs. Shakespearean).
  5. Explain the following figures of speech with examples: Synecdoche, Metonymy, and Hyperbole.
  6. What is "Scansion"? Explain the general rules for scanning a line of poetry.
  7. Discuss the importance of Rhyme and Rhythm in poetry.
  8. Write short notes on: Terza Rima and Ottava Rima.
  9. Explain the Figures of Speech based on resemblance (Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Apostrophe).
  10. Explain the Figures of Speech based on contrast (Antithesis, Epigram, Oxymoron).

Best of luck for your MJC-4 Examination!

MJC-4: Short Question Answers

Content: Complete answers for all important 2-mark questions (Unit I - IV).

UNIT I: John Milton - Paradise Lost (Book I)

  1. What is the main theme of Paradise Lost as stated in the invocation?
    The main theme of Paradise Lost is "Man's First Disobedience," specifically the eating of the fruit from the Forbidden Tree, which brought death and woe into the world.
  2. Who is the Muse invoked by Milton in Book I?
    Milton invokes the "Heavenly Muse" (often identified with the Holy Spirit or Urania), the same divine power that inspired Moses on Mount Sinai.
  3. Which fallen angel is described as standing next to Satan in command?
    Beelzebub is the fallen angel described as standing next to Satan in command; he is Satan's second-in-command and closest confidant.
  4. What is "Pandemonium" in the context of Book I?
    Pandemonium is the "high capital" of Hell, a magnificent palace built by the fallen angels to serve as their meeting place and council hall.
  5. Explain the phrase "Darkness Visible."
    The phrase "Darkness Visible" describes the gloom of Hell, where the fire gives off no light but only enough sullen glimmer to reveal sights of woe and torture.
  6. Who was Mulciber and what was his role?
    Mulciber (also known as Vulcan in mythology) was the architect among the fallen angels who designed and constructed the palace of Pandemonium.
  7. How many times does Milton invoke the Muse in Paradise Lost?
    Milton invokes the Muse a total of four times throughout the epic: at the beginning of Book I, Book III, Book VII, and Book IX.
  8. What is an "Epic Simile"? Give one example from Book I.
    An Epic Simile is an extended, elaborate comparison that spans several lines. An example from Book I is the comparison of Satan’s massive shield to the moon viewed through Galileo’s telescope.
  9. Why does Satan say, "The mind is its own place"?
    Satan says this to assert his independence, implying that the mind has the power to create its own reality and can "make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven."
  10. What does the name "Beelzebub" signify?
    The name "Beelzebub" is derived from Hebrew and signifies "The Lord of the Flies."

UNIT I: Alexander Pope - An Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot

  1. Why did Pope write the Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot?
    Pope wrote the poem as a defense (apologia) of his literary career and character against the vicious attacks made by his enemies, particularly Lord Hervey and Lady Mary Wortley Montagu.
  2. Who was Dr. Arbuthnot?
    Dr. John Arbuthnot was a physician, a satirist, and a close personal friend of Alexander Pope, as well as a member of the Scriblerus Club.
  3. Identify the person represented by the character "Atticus."
    The character "Atticus" represents Joseph Addison, a contemporary writer whom Pope satirizes for his jealousy and timidity.
  4. Who is "Sporus" in the poem?
    "Sporus" is a satirical caricature of Lord Hervey, a courtier whom Pope despises and describes as a "painted child of dirt."
  5. Explain the phrase "Damn with faint praise."
    This phrase refers to the act of complimenting someone so unenthusiastically or weakly that it actually serves as a criticism or insult.
  6. What is the "Humble Petition" mentioned in the opening lines?
    The "Humble Petition" is Pope's request to his servant, John, to shut the door and tie up the knocker to keep out the crowd of aspiring poets seeking his help.
  7. What does Pope mean by "breaking a butterfly upon a wheel"?
    This metaphor means using excessive force or elaborate satire to attack a trivial or insignificant opponent (referring to Sporus), similar to using a torture wheel to kill a delicate insect.
  8. How does Pope describe his own parents in the poem?
    Pope describes his parents with great affection as virtuous, humble, and harmless people who lived a quiet life away from the corruption of the court.
  9. Define "Neoclassical Satire."
    Neoclassical Satire is a literary mode from the 17th and 18th centuries that uses wit, irony, and sarcasm to expose human folly and vice, aiming to correct social behavior through reason.
  10. What is a Heroic Couplet?
    A Heroic Couplet consists of two rhyming lines of iambic pentameter, a form perfected by Pope to achieve balance, wit, and conciseness.

UNIT II: Thomas Otway - Venice Preserved

  1. What is the genre of Venice Preserved?
    Venice Preserved is a Restoration Tragedy, specifically often categorized as a "She-Tragedy" due to the central role of female suffering.
  2. Who is Belvidera?
    Belvidera is the heroine of the play, the daughter of the Senator Priuli and the devoted wife of Jaffeir.
  3. Why was Jaffeir expelled from Priuli’s house?
    Jaffeir was expelled because he secretly married Belvidera without her father Priuli's consent, leading Priuli to disown them both.
  4. Who is Pierre?
    Pierre is Jaffeir's close friend and a soldier who recruits Jaffeir into the conspiracy against the Venetian Senate.
  5. What is the "Nicky-Nacky" scene?
    The "Nicky-Nacky" scene is a comic subplot involving the corrupt senator Antonio and the courtesan Aquilina, satirizing the depravity of the ruling class.
  6. Who is Antonio?
    Antonio is a corrupt and foolish Venetian senator, intended by Otway to be a satire of the Earl of Shaftesbury.
  7. Why does Jaffeir join the conspiracy?
    Jaffeir joins the conspiracy because he is bankrupt, desperate, and angry at Priuli for his cruelty, and he is persuaded by his friend Pierre.
  8. How does Pierre die?
    Pierre dies when Jaffeir stabs him on the scaffold to save him from the dishonorable death of torture on the wheel, after which Jaffeir kills himself.
  9. What is the subtitle of the play Venice Preserved?
    The subtitle of the play is A Plot Discovered.
  10. Who is the Senator that Belvidera is handed over to as a hostage?
    Belvidera is handed over to the conspirators as a hostage and is placed specifically in the care of the old rebel Renault, who attempts to assault her.

UNIT III: History of English Literature

  1. Name two University Wits.
    Two prominent University Wits are Christopher Marlowe and Thomas Kyd (or Robert Greene).
  2. What is meant by the "Jacobean Age"?
    The Jacobean Age refers to the period of English history and literature during the reign of King James I (1603–1625).
  3. Who coined the term "Metaphysical Poets"?
    The term "Metaphysical Poets" was coined by Dr. Samuel Johnson in his Lives of the Poets, though Dryden used the term "metaphysics" in relation to Donne earlier.
  4. Name two Cavalier Poets.
    Two famous Cavalier Poets are Richard Lovelace and Sir John Suckling.
  5. When were the theatres closed and reopened in England?
    The theatres were closed by the Puritans in 1642 and were reopened with the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660.
  6. What is "Comedy of Manners"?
    Comedy of Manners is a genre of Restoration drama that satirizes the manners, affectations, and social behaviors of the aristocratic class, focusing on wit and intrigue.
  7. Name two major works of John Webster.
    Two major works by John Webster are The Duchess of Malfi and The White Devil.
  8. Who wrote The Duchess of Malfi?
    The Duchess of Malfi was written by the Jacobean dramatist John Webster.
  9. Define "Revenge Tragedy."
    Revenge Tragedy is a dramatic genre where the plot centers on the protagonist’s attempt to avenge the murder of a family member (e.g., The Spanish Tragedy).
  10. What was the primary literary contribution of the Puritan Age?
    The primary contributions were in prose (such as John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress) and the epic poetry of John Milton, as drama was banned.

UNIT IV: Rhetoric and Prosody

  1. Define Metaphor with an example.
    A Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes an implicit comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as" (e.g., "Life is a dream").
  2. What is an Oxymoron?
    An Oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms appear in conjunction to create a rhetorical effect (e.g., "cruel kindness").
  3. Define Onomatopoeia.
    Onomatopoeia is the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named (e.g., "buzz," "hiss," "bang").
  4. What is the difference between Simile and Metaphor?
    A Simile compares two things using "like" or "as," whereas a Metaphor asserts that one thing is the other directly.
  5. Define Personification.
    Personification is a figure of speech where human qualities or actions are attributed to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.
  6. What is a "Foot" in prosody?
    A "Foot" is the basic unit of rhythm in poetry, consisting of a specific pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables.
  7. Define Iambic Pentameter.
    Iambic Pentameter is a line of verse with five metrical feet, each consisting of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable.
  8. What is a Caesura?
    A Caesura is a pause or break occurring near the middle of a line of verse, often marked by punctuation.
  9. Define Alliteration.
    Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in a sequence of nearby words (e.g., "furrows follows free").
  10. What is a Spenserian Stanza?
    A Spenserian Stanza is a fixed verse form consisting of nine lines: eight in iambic pentameter and the final line in iambic hexameter (Alexandrine), rhyming ababbcbcc.

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