Showing posts with label ugc net MCQs on Unit I. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ugc net MCQs on Unit I. Show all posts

Tragic Hero and the Concept of the Over-reacher

 

Tragic Hero and the Concept of the Over-reacher 

1. Tragic Hero

Definition (Aristotle – Poetics):


A tragic hero is a person of noble stature who falls from grace due to a tragic flaw (hamartia) and whose downfall evokes pity and fear (catharsis). The character’s journey includes anagnorisis (recognition) and peripeteia (reversal of fortune)

Key Features:

·         High birth / noble status

·         Hamartia (tragic flaw)

·         Hubris (excessive pride)

·         Peripeteia and anagnorisis

·         Catharsis for the audience

Examples:

·         Oedipus (Oedipus Rex) – flaw: ignorance of true identity

·         Macbeth – flaw: ambition

·         Hamlet – flaw: indecision

2. Over-reacher (Renaissance Tragic Hero)

Definition:
Coined from the Renaissance spirit of individualism and humanism, the overreacher is a character who aspires to go beyond human limitations — often seeking power, knowledge, or immortality, and ultimately faces damnation or destruction.

Key Features:

·         Excessive ambition

·         Defiance of divine/natural limits

·         Intellectual arrogance

·         Fall due to moral/spiritual transgression

Major Example:

·         Dr. Faustus (Christopher Marlowe):
Sells his soul to Lucifer in exchange for 24 years of magical power.

Others:

·         Tamburlaine (Marlowe)

·         Victor Frankenstein (Shelley)

UGC NET Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

PYQ 1: NTA UGC NET, 2012 (Paper II)

Q. The concept of catharsis is associated with which of the following theorists?
A) Longinus
B) Aristotle
C) Plato
D) Horace

Answer: B) Aristotle

PYQ 2: UGC NET, 2013 (Paper II)

Q. Who among the following is often described as a "Renaissance overreacher"?
A) Oedipus
B) Dr. Faustus
C) Hamlet
D) King Lear

Answer: B) Dr. Faustus

PYQ 3: UGC NET, 2015 (Paper II)

Q. Match the following characters with their tragic flaws:

Characters

Flaws

A. Macbeth

1. Indecision

B. Hamlet

2. Ambition

C. Oedipus

3. Ignorance

D. Faustus

4. Pride/Hubris

Correct Match:
A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4

Answer: Correct

PYQ 4: NTA UGC NET, 2018 (Paper II)

Q. “A character who is great but not perfect, whose downfall is partially his own fault and whose misfortune evokes pity and fear” refers to:
A) A Romantic hero
B) A Gothic hero
C) An Epic hero
D) A Tragic hero

Answer: D) A Tragic hero

PYQ 5: UGC NET, 2020 (Mock Test Sample)

Q. Who said: “The overreacher is one who goes beyond the limits set by God”?
A) Samuel Johnson
B) Harold Bloom
C) Christopher Marlowe
D) Irving Ribner

Answer: D) Irving Ribner
(Literary critic who described Faustus as the Renaissance overreacher)

PYQ Themes Noted for UGC NET Preparation:

·         Aristotle’s Poetics and tragic structure

·         Comparison between classical and Renaissance tragic heroes

·         Marlowe’s heroes as overreachers

·         Catharsis, Hamartia, Hubris

·         Faustus as a symbol of Renaissance ambition

Elizabethan Drama (UGC NET - Unit I Drama)

Elizabethan Drama

Introduction

Elizabethan Drama refers to the body of English plays written and performed during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558–1603). This era marks the Golden Age of English drama, characterized by the emergence of the professional theatre, the flowering of poetic drama, and the establishment of great playwrights like William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, and Thomas Kyd.

Key Features of Elizabethan Drama

1.      Humanism and Renaissance Influence:

o    Revival of classical Greek and Roman ideals.

o    Emphasis on individualism, secular themes, and exploration of human nature.

2.      Blank Verse:

o    Marlowe popularized blank verse; Shakespeare perfected it.

o    Helped elevate the poetic quality of drama.

3.      Tragic Heroes and the Concept of the Overreacher:

o    Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus is a classic example.

o    Influenced by Senecan tragedy.

4.      Revenge Tragedy:

o    Popular genre introduced by Thomas Kyd’s The Spanish Tragedy.

o    Led to plays like Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

5.      Mix of Comedy and Tragedy:

o    Shakespeare frequently blended tragic elements with comic relief.

6.      Use of Soliloquy and Aside:

o    Helped reveal the inner workings of a character’s mind.

o    Widely used by Shakespeare and Marlowe.

7.      Violence and Supernatural Elements:

o    Ghosts, witches, and prophecy figure prominently (Macbeth, Hamlet).

o    Appeals to the imagination and fear of the audience.

8.      Public Theatres and Acting Companies:

o    The Globe Theatre, The Swan, The Rose were significant.

o    Companies like The Lord Chamberlain’s Men became popular.

Major Elizabethan Dramatists

William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

·         Prolific playwright of tragedies (Hamlet, Othello), comedies (As You Like It, Twelfth Night), and histories (Richard III).

·         Innovations in character depth, plot structure, and language.

Christopher Marlowe (1564–1593)

·         Known for Tamburlaine, Doctor Faustus, Edward II.

·         Introduced the “Marlovian Hero”—ambitious, daring, tragic.

·         Called “the father of English tragedy”.

Ben Jonson (1572–1637)

·         Famous for comedies of humours: Volpone, The Alchemist.

·         Advocated classical unities and satire.

Thomas Kyd (1558–1594)

·         The Spanish Tragedy laid the foundation for the revenge tragedy.

Relation to UGC NET Questions

1. Frequently Asked Topics

·         Match the Following: Plays and authors.

·         Chronological Order: Publication or performance dates of Elizabethan plays.

·         Assertion-Reason Questions: Literary significance of blank verse, soliloquies, Senecan influence.

·         Thematic MCQs: Themes in Doctor Faustus, Hamlet, Volpone.

·         Passage-Based Questions: Extracts from Elizabethan plays asking about character, context, or poetic devices.

2. Previous Year Sample Questions

Q1. Match the following playwrights with their works (UGC NET June 2013)
A. Marlowe – 1. Edward II
B. Kyd – 2. The Spanish Tragedy
C. Jonson – 3. The Alchemist
D. Shakespeare – 4. Measure for Measure
Answer: A–1, B–2, C–3, D–4

Q2. Who is considered the first tragedian of the Elizabethan stage? (UGC NET June 2019)
A. Shakespeare
B. Thomas Kyd
C. Marlowe
D. Ben Jonson
Answer: C. Marlowe

Q3. Which among the following is NOT a feature of Elizabethan tragedy? (UGC NET Dec 2017)
A. Chorus
B. Revenge theme
C. Comic relief
D. Use of prose only
Answer: D. Use of prose only

Elizabethan Drama in Contemporary Criticism

Modern literary critics have interpreted Elizabethan drama in terms of:

·         Power and politics (Stephen Greenblatt’s New Historicism)

·         Gender and performance (Judith Butler on gender roles in Shakespeare)

·         Psychoanalysis (Freudian readings of Hamlet’s indecision)

·         Postcolonial interpretations (e.g., The Tempest and colonial discourse)

Tips for UGC NET Preparation

·         Read summaries and critical analyses of major plays.

·         Focus on dramatic devices, genres, and evolution of theatre.

·         Learn timelines: when was each play written/performed?

·         Study theatre history: Globe Theatre, acting companies, censorship.

·         Practice MCQs on authorship, characters, themes, and quotations.


  Note: A detailed analysis of each part of this article along with UGC NET questions and Sample Questions has been separately published. Please visit those pages to have a comprehensive study.

Morality Plays & Allegory (UGC NET Unit I - Drama), PYQs & MCQs

 

Morality Plays and Allegory

Introduction

The medieval period of English drama is characterized by its religious foundations and didactic purposes. Among the various forms of early drama, Morality Plays hold a significant position due to their use of allegory to convey Christian ethics and moral lessons. While evolving from Liturgical and Mystery Plays, morality plays represent a transition from strictly Biblical representations to more abstract, symbolic explorations of good and evil within the human soul. These plays are crucial for understanding the development of character, symbolism, and thematic complexity in English drama.

1. Origin and Historical Background

Morality plays flourished in Europe between the 14th and 16th centuries, particularly in England during the 15th century. Rooted in Christian theology, they emerged as a response to the Church’s effort to educate the largely illiterate population through engaging theatrical performances.

·         The genre evolved from religious sermons, Biblical pageants, and didactic traditions of the Church.

·         As opposed to Miracle and Mystery plays (which dramatized the lives of saints or Bible stories), morality plays featured fictional protagonists representing Everyman—an archetype of the common human being.

2. Features of Morality Plays

a. Didactic Purpose

The core function was moral instruction—teaching the audience how to live a virtuous life and avoid sin. The overarching theme was the salvation of the soul.

b. Use of Allegory

Allegory is the defining element of morality plays. Abstract qualities such as Virtue, Vice, Death, Knowledge, Good Deeds, and the Seven Deadly Sins were personified and brought to the stage.

c. Psychological Drama

They often dramatize the inner conflict of the soul, focusing on the choices an individual must make between good and evil.

d. Symbolism

Characters, settings, and actions were symbolic representations. For instance, the journey of the protagonist often symbolized the journey of life toward death and judgment.

e. Universality

The protagonist usually represented Everyman, making the lessons applicable to all individuals regardless of social or economic class.

3. Structure of Morality Plays

The typical morality play follows a chronological and spiritual journey:

1.      Introduction of the protagonist (often called Everyman, Mankind, or Humanum Genus).

2.      Temptation and fall into sin via encounters with characters representing vices or worldly distractions.

3.      Realization and repentance, often aided by allegorical figures like Good Deeds or Knowledge.

4.      Final judgment, usually death, where the protagonist’s fate is determined based on his actions.

4. Famous Morality Plays

i. Everyman (Anonymous)

·         The most famous morality play, likely written in the late 15th century.

·         Explores the inevitability of death and the need for spiritual readiness.

·         Major allegorical characters: Everyman, Death, Fellowship, Goods, Good Deeds, Knowledge, Confession.

·         Theme: Only Good Deeds accompanies a person after death.

ii. Mankind (Anonymous)

·         A more comic and energetic play, often featuring humorous vice characters.

·         Illustrates the struggle of a Christian man against temptation.

·         Demonstrates the balance between entertainment and didacticism.

iii. The Castle of Perseverance (c. 1425)

·         One of the earliest complete morality plays.

·         Set in a symbolic castle, it represents the human soul’s battle between good and evil over a lifetime.

5. Allegory: Concept and Significance

Definition

Allegory is a narrative technique in which characters, settings, and events symbolize abstract ideas or moral qualities.

Functions in Morality Plays

·         Makes complex theological ideas accessible to lay audiences.

·         Creates a multi-layered meaning—literal and metaphorical.

·         Enhances the emotional and spiritual engagement of the audience.

Literary Importance

·         Allegory paved the way for later literary traditions, including:

o    The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser

o    Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan

·         Prefigures modern psychological and existential drama where internal dilemmas are externalized through dramatic form.

6. Legacy and Transition

Morality plays declined with the rise of Renaissance Humanism and secular theatre, especially after the emergence of the Interludes and Elizabethan drama.

However, their legacy remains in:

·         The symbolic characterization seen in works by Shakespeare and Marlowe.

·         The moral questioning and inner conflict central to modern drama.

·         The thematic influence in 20th-century existential plays, such as Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and T.S. Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral.

7. Relevance to UGC NET

Understanding morality plays is essential for:

·         Tracing the development of English drama from religious to secular.

·         Appreciating the interplay of literature, theology, and philosophy.

·         Examining how allegory informs structure and characterisation.

·         Analyzing the didactic function of early literature.

UGC NET aspirants should be able to:

·         Compare morality plays with miracle/mystery plays.

·         Identify the function of allegory.

·         Contextualize morality plays within medieval religious and cultural life.

·         Draw parallels with later dramatic and literary forms.

Conclusion

Morality plays represent a vital moment in the evolution of English drama, where theatre served both spiritual edification and public entertainment. Their use of allegory to explore the eternal battle between virtue and vice offers enduring insights into human nature. For students and scholars, especially those preparing for the UGC NET English exam, these plays offer a foundation for understanding how drama evolved as a literary form, influencing both content and structure of later dramatic traditions.

I. PREVIOUS YEAR UGC NET QUESTIONS 

1. Which of the following is a famous morality play?

(UGC NET – 2015)
A. The Wakefield Second Shepherds' Play
B. Everyman
C. The Mystery of Adam
D. Noah’s Flood

Answer: B. Everyman

2. In the play Everyman, who finally accompanies Everyman to the grave?

(UGC NET – 2013)
A. Fellowship
B. Knowledge
C. Good Deeds
D. Beauty

Answer: C. Good Deeds

3. Morality plays are chiefly characterized by:

(UGC NET – 2018)
A. Realistic representation of human life
B. Biblical dramatizations
C. Allegorical characters representing moral qualities
D. Historical figures in conflict

Answer: C. Allegorical characters representing moral qualities

4. Which of the following is NOT a morality play?

A. Everyman
B. Mankind
C. The Castle of Perseverance
D. Doctor Faustus

Answer: D. Doctor Faustus
(Doctor Faustus is a Renaissance tragedy influenced by morality elements but not a morality play in the strict sense.)

II. Newly Framed MCQs for Practice

5. What is the primary theme of morality plays?

A. The struggle for political power
B. The journey of the soul toward salvation
C. Romantic entanglements of nobility
D. Satirical depiction of society

Answer: B. The journey of the soul toward salvation

6. In morality plays, the central character often represents:

A. A saint or biblical figure
B. The monarch
C. An abstract idea
D. Everyman or humanity as a whole

Answer: D. Everyman or humanity as a whole

7. The vice character in morality plays was primarily meant to:

A. Teach legal doctrines
B. Provide comic relief and temptation
C. Represent historical villains
D. Narrate the plot

Answer: B. Provide comic relief and temptation

8. Which of the following best defines allegory?

A. A narrative using regional dialect
B. A story with one literal and one symbolic meaning
C. A historical retelling of factual events
D. A dialogue-heavy dramatic form

Answer: B. A story with one literal and one symbolic meaning

9. Which play is considered the earliest complete extant morality play?

A. Mankind
B. Everyman
C. The Castle of Perseverance
D. The Pride of Life

Answer: C. The Castle of Perseverance

10. The structure of morality plays typically follows:

A. Political rise and fall
B. Conversion and fall of a religious figure
C. Temptation, fall, repentance, and salvation
D. Satirical commentary on society

Answer: C. Temptation, fall, repentance, and salvation

11. The character ‘Knowledge’ in Everyman plays what role?

A. Judge
B. Guide toward salvation
C. Tempter
D. Comic relief

Answer: B. Guide toward salvation

12. Allegory as a literary device is primarily used to:

A. Entertain through suspense
B. Reveal hidden meanings through symbolic characters and events
C. Present a straightforward narrative
D. Showcase historical truths

Answer: B. Reveal hidden meanings through symbolic characters and events

13. Which of the following Renaissance plays draws heavily from the tradition of morality plays?

A. The Spanish Tragedy
B. Doctor Faustus
C. The Duchess of Malfi
D. Tamburlaine the Great

Answer: B. Doctor Faustus

14. What feature distinguishes morality plays from mystery plays?

A. Use of Latin
B. Biblical events
C. Allegorical characters and universal themes
D. Satirical tone

Answer: C. Allegorical characters and universal themes

15. In morality plays, the ultimate concern is with:

A. Justice and legal reformation
B. Human comedy and irony
C. The fate of the soul and life after death
D. Class-based conflicts

Answer: C. The fate of the soul and life after death

Unit I Drama (Liturgical Drama, Religious Plays, Famous Cycle Plays & MCQs)

 

Liturgical Drama (10th to 14th Century)

Definition & Origin

·         Liturgical Drama refers to religious plays performed as part of the Christian liturgy (public worship) in the medieval Church, primarily between the 10th and 14th centuries.

·         Originated in Latin Church rituals, especially during important Christian feasts like Easter and Christmas.

·         Purpose: To teach Christian doctrine to an illiterate populace through dramatized biblical events.

 Development of Liturgical Drama

1.      Early Stages (10th Century):

o    Performed inside churches.

o    Used Latin and musical chants.

o    Example: Quem Quaeritis ("Whom do you seek?") trope performed at Easter—considered the first liturgical play.

2.      Later Development (11th–12th Century):

o    Expanded from brief dialogues to elaborate dramas.

o    Incorporated costumes and symbolic actions.

o    Gradually moved outside the church due to increasing complexity and space needs.

3.      Transition to Vernacular Drama (13th–14th Century):

o    Language shifted from Latin to vernaculars (Middle English, French, etc.).

o    Lay performers and guilds took over, making it more theatrical and popular.

o    Paved the way for Mystery and Miracle plays.

Types of Religious Drama

1. Mystery Plays

·         Definition: Dramatizations of biblical stories, from Creation to the Last Judgment.

·         "Mystery" from Latin ministerium meaning “occupation”—linked to guilds who sponsored the plays.

·         Structure: Often performed as cycles during festivals like Corpus Christi.

·         Language: Vernacular, accessible to common people.

·         Purpose: Didactic and devotional; to present salvation history.

2. Miracle Plays

·         Focus on lives of saints and miraculous events.

·         Often featured martyrdoms, healing, or interventions by saints.

·         Example: The Play of St. Nicholas (by Hilarius), and The Conversion of Saint Paul.

·         Less structured than mystery plays but equally popular.

Famous English Cycle Plays

Liturgical drama flourished into Cycle Plays—a series of plays performed sequentially to cover biblical history. These were typically produced by craft guilds in medieval towns.

1. York Cycle

·         Comprises 48 plays (surviving manuscript).

·         Dates from 14th–15th century.

·         Performed in York, during Corpus Christi festival.

·         Structure: Each play handled by a different guild.

·         Notable Plays:

o    The Fall of Lucifer

o    The Nativity

o    The Crucifixion

o    The Last Judgment

·         Tone: Reverent, theological, often complex in structure.

2. Wakefield Cycle (Towneley Plays)

·         Associated with Wakefield, Yorkshire.

·         Includes 32 plays, many of them sophisticated and vivid.

·         Known for the "Wakefield Master", an anonymous playwright known for:

o    Humor, satire, and verse experimentation.

o    Use of "Wakefield Stanza" (rhymed 13-line stanza: aaabababcdddc).

·         Notable Plays:

o    The Second Shepherds’ Play (a masterpiece of medieval drama blending comedy with Nativity theme).

o    Cain and Abel

3. Chester Cycle

·         Comprises 24 plays.

·         Dates from late 14th to early 15th century.

·         Performed in Chester during Corpus Christi.

·         Known for didactic tone and moral clarity.

·         Notable Plays:

o    The Fall of Man

o    Noah's Flood

o    The Harrowing of Hell

·         Focus on moral instruction and Christian doctrine.

4. Coventry Cycle

·         Famous for The Shearmen and Tailors’ Play.

·         Contains notable Nativity and Passion scenes.

·         Often studied alongside other cycles for comparative purposes.

Themes and Features

Feature

Description

Religious Didacticism

Taught Bible stories and Christian values to the common people.

Use of Vernacular

Shifted from Latin to English/French, increasing accessibility.

Guild Sponsorship

Each craft guild performed plays related to their profession (e.g., Shipwrights performed Noah's Ark).

Pageant Wagons

Movable stages used to present plays at multiple locations in the town.

Allegorical Elements

Combined biblical events with moral lessons; characters often represented abstract virtues or vices.

Combination of Sacred & Secular

Infused with comic interludes, local color, and folk traditions.

Significance of Liturgical and Cycle Drama in English Literature

·         Foundation of English Drama: Precursor to morality plays (like Everyman) and later Elizabethan drama (like Shakespeare).

·         Social and Theological Record: Offers insight into medieval worldview, cosmology, and cultural values.

·         Artistic Innovation: Developed early forms of plot structure, characterization, and staging.

·         UGC NET Perspective: Frequently appears under Middle English Literature, Drama, Theatre History, and Comparative Literature topics.

Important UGC NET Pointers

·         Know the difference between Mystery, Miracle, and Morality plays.

·         Recognize specific plays and their associated cycles.

·         Understand how guilds, vernacular use, and religious festivals shaped medieval drama.

·         Be aware of the Wakefield Master and his literary contributions.

·         Remember that Cycle Plays aimed to educate and entertain simultaneously.

Multiple Choice Questions

 Section A: Liturgical Drama (10 MCQs)

  1. Liturgical drama originated in which setting?
    A. Marketplace
    B. Church
    C. Public square
    D. Royal court
    Answer: B. Church
  2. The earliest form of liturgical drama was performed in which language?
    A. French
    B. German
    C. Latin
    D. English
    Answer: C. Latin
  3. Which of the following is a characteristic of liturgical drama?
    A. Secular themes
    B. Performed in vernacular
    C. Use of elaborate scenery
    D. Based on biblical stories and liturgy
    Answer: D. Based on biblical stories and liturgy
  4. The phrase "Quem Quaeritis" is associated with which genre?
    A. Morality play
    B. Miracle play
    C. Liturgical drama
    D. Mystery play
    Answer: C. Liturgical drama
  5. What does "Quem Quaeritis" mean?
    A. What is truth?
    B. Whom do you seek?
    C. Who is the Lord?
    D. Where are you going?
    Answer: B. Whom do you seek?
  6. Which festival originally featured the performance of early liturgical drama?
    A. Christmas
    B. Easter
    C. Pentecost
    D. Lent
    Answer: B. Easter
  7. What was the main purpose of liturgical drama in the Middle Ages?
    A. Entertainment
    B. Political commentary
    C. Religious instruction
    D. Cultural satire
    Answer: C. Religious instruction
  8. Which of the following best describes the movement of liturgical drama out of the church?
    A. Clerical reform
    B. Vernacularization and secularization
    C. Introduction of morality plays
    D. Loss of ecclesiastical control
    Answer: B. Vernacularization and secularization
  9. Which of the following is NOT a feature of liturgical drama?
    A. Sung dialogues
    B. Clergy as performers
    C. Performed during Mass
    D. Use of printed scripts
    Answer: D. Use of printed scripts
  10. Liturgical drama gradually evolved into which type of plays?
    A. Roman comedies
    B. Miracle and Mystery plays
    C. Interludes
    D. Tragedies
    Answer: B. Miracle and Mystery plays

 Section B: Types of Religious Drama (8 MCQs)

  1. Which of the following plays focuses on the lives and miracles of saints?
    A. Mystery plays
    B. Miracle plays
    C. Morality plays
    D. Interludes
    Answer: B. Miracle plays
  2. Which religious plays dramatize biblical stories from the Creation to the Last Judgment?
    A. Mystery plays
    B. Miracle plays
    C. Morality plays
    D. Interludes
    Answer: A. Mystery plays
  3. Morality plays differ from mystery plays in that they—
    A. Use biblical characters only
    B. Employ allegorical figures
    C. Are written in Latin
    D. Are acted by priests
    Answer: B. Employ allegorical figures
  4. Who is a common central character in morality plays?
    A. Everyman
    B. Judas
    C. Abraham
    D. Beowulf
    Answer: A. Everyman
  5. Which of the following is NOT a feature of morality plays?
    A. Characters represent virtues and vices
    B. Didactic message
    C. Based on saints’ lives
    D. Personification of abstract ideas
    Answer: C. Based on saints’ lives
  6. The vice character is mostly associated with—
    A. Miracle plays
    B. Mystery plays
    C. Morality plays
    D. Farce
    Answer: C. Morality plays
  7. Which type of religious drama is usually considered the earliest in the English tradition?
    A. Mystery
    B. Morality
    C. Miracle
    D. Liturgical
    Answer: D. Liturgical
  8. The focus of morality plays is mainly on—
    A. Religious ceremonies
    B. Biblical episodes
    C. Individual moral journey
    D. Lives of martyrs
    Answer: C. Individual moral journey

 Section C: Famous Cycle Plays (6 MCQs)

  1. Which of the following is a well-known cycle of mystery plays in England?
    A. Chester Cycle
    B. Marlowe Cycle
    C. Shakespeare Cycle
    D. Canterbury Cycle
    Answer: A. Chester Cycle
  2. The Wakefield Cycle is also known for—
    A. The Harrowing of Hell
    B. The Second Shepherds’ Play
    C. The Passion Play
    D. The Resurrection of Lazarus
    Answer: B. The Second Shepherds’ Play
  3. How many cycles of mystery plays are known to have existed in England?
    A. 2
    B. 3
    C. 4
    D. 5
    Answer: C. 4 (York, Chester, Wakefield, and N-Town)
  4. The York Cycle contains how many pageants?
    A. 24
    B. 48
    C. 56
    D. 72
    Answer: B. 48
  5. The cycle plays were performed during which festival?
    A. Lent
    B. Easter
    C. Corpus Christi
    D. Christmas
    Answer: C. Corpus Christi
  6. What is the major theme of most cycle plays?
    A. Chivalric romance
    B. Pagan rituals
    C. Salvation history from Creation to Last Judgment
    D. Satirical humour
    Answer: C. Salvation history from Creation to Last Judgment

 Section D: Previous Year UGC-NET MCQs (4 MCQs)

  1. UGC NET (June 2016)
    Which one of the following plays is an example of a mystery play?
    A. Everyman
    B. The Second Shepherds’ Play
    C. The Castle of Perseverance
    D. Doctor Faustus
    Answer: B. The Second Shepherds’ Play
  2. UGC NET (December 2018)
    Which of the following is NOT a medieval religious drama?
    A. Morality Play
    B. Mystery Play
    C. Interlude
    D. Miracle Play
    Answer: C. Interlude
  3. UGC NET (June 2019)
    The character “Everyman” is an example of which of the following?
    A. Allegorical figure
    B. Biblical prophet
    C. Martyr
    D. Angelic being
    Answer: A. Allegorical figure
  4. UGC NET (June 2023)
    The York and Chester Cycles are related to—
    A. Secular Renaissance drama
    B. Elizabethan revenge tragedy
    C. Liturgical calendar
    D. Mystery plays
    Answer: D. Mystery plays

An Essay of Dramatic Poesy by John Dryden

  1. Introduction ·          Written in 1668 , during the Restoration period, while London theatres had reopened after being closed during...