- 1. The Spectator, a periodical essay published by Joseph Addison and his friend Sir Richard Steele, emerged in 1711 as a significant literary work that sought to entertain, enlighten, and engage the early 18th-century English public. This innovative publication was crafted to provide readers with a blend of wit, moral instruction, and social commentary, reflecting the shifting cultural landscape of the time. Each edition was designed to be read in a single sitting, allowing for an accessible and casual reading experience. Addison's eloquent prose and keen insights into human behavior highlighted themes of civility, taste, and the complexities of urban life, while also addressing issues of ethics and virtue. The Spectator attempted to cultivate a sense of community among its readers, as Addison explored the role of the individual within society and the importance of polite conversation. The use of the character 'Mr. Spectator' as a narrator allowed Addison to express his musings in a familiar voice, and the publication quickly gained popularity, influencing not only contemporary literature but also future forms of journalism. Through its engaging essays, The Spectator established a framework for modern periodicals and offered a platform for public discourse, making it a cornerstone in the history of English literature.
Who co-founded The Spectator with Joseph Addison?
A) Alexander Pope
B) Jonathan Swift
C) Richard Steele
D) Samuel Johnson
- 2. What was the fictional narrator's name in The Spectator?
A) Captain Sentry
B) Sir Roger de Coverley
C) Mr. Spectator
D) Will Honeycomb
- 3. How often was The Spectator published?
A) Monthly
B) Daily
C) Weekly
D) Bi-weekly
- 4. In what year did The Spectator first begin publication?
A) 1709
B) 1711
C) 1715
D) 1713
- 5. Which famous fictional club appears frequently in The Spectator?
A) The Scriblerus Club
B) The Kit-Cat Club
C) The Hellfire Club
D) The Spectator Club
- 6. What was Sir Roger de Coverley's primary characteristic?
A) A clergyman
B) A military officer
C) A country gentleman
D) A London merchant
- 7. How many issues of The Spectator were published in total?
A) 635
B) 412
C) 250
D) 555
- 8. Which character represents the military in the Spectator Club?
A) Sir Roger de Coverley
B) The Clergyman
C) Will Honeycomb
D) Captain Sentry
- 9. What literary form did The Spectator help popularize?
A) The drama
B) The novel
C) The epic poem
D) The periodical essay
- 10. How did Mr. Spectator describe his own personality?
A) As a great orator
B) As a political activist
C) As a silent observer
D) As a social butterfly
- 11. What was the price of a single issue of The Spectator?
A) One shilling
B) One penny
C) Six pence
D) Three pence
- 12. What was Sir Andrew Freeport's profession?
A) Soldier
B) Lawyer
C) Clergyman
D) Merchant
- 13. Which character is described as a clergyman?
A) Captain Sentry
B) Will Honeycomb
C) The Clergyman
D) Sir Roger de Coverley
- 14. What literary device did Addison frequently use in his essays?
A) Alliteration
B) Onomatopoeia
C) Irony
D) Hyperbole
- 15. What was Addison's attitude toward the emerging middle class?
A) Strongly critical
B) Generally supportive
C) Completely indifferent
D) Openly hostile
- 16. Which later writer was heavily influenced by The Spectator?
A) Samuel Johnson
B) William Wordsworth
C) Charles Dickens
D) John Keats
- 17. What was Will Honeycomb's area of expertise?
A) Military strategy
B) Rural affairs
C) Fashion and society
D) Business and trade
- 18. Which character was a man of business and commerce?
A) Captain Sentry
B) Sir Andrew Freeport
C) Sir Roger de Coverley
D) Will Honeycomb
- 19. What was Captain Sentry's background?
A) Explorer
B) Military officer
C) Naval commander
D) Ship captain
- 20. Which famous poet did Addison frequently discuss in The Spectator?
A) William Shakespeare
B) Geoffrey Chaucer
C) John Milton
D) Edmund Spenser
- 21. What was Addison's attitude toward women readers?
A) He criticized their education
B) He welcomed and addressed them
C) He excluded them intentionally
D) He ignored them completely
- 22. How did The Spectator typically handle political controversy?
A) Supported Whig policies exclusively
B) Supported Tory policies exclusively
C) Attacked both parties equally
D) Avoided partisan politics
- 23. Which previous publication had Addison and Steele worked on together?
A) The Rambler
B) The Guardian
C) The Examiner
D) The Tatler
- 24. What was Addison's main goal in discussing popular entertainment?
A) To refine public taste
B) To promote commercial theater
C) To criticize all entertainment
D) To document current trends
- 25. What happens to Sir Roger in the later issues?
A) He gets married
B) He becomes a politician
C) He moves to London
D) He dies
- 26. How did The Spectator influence later English literature?
A) Paved way for the novel
B) Created political satire
C) Established Gothic fiction
D) Ended poetic tradition
- 27. What was the primary audience Addison aimed to reach?
A) The aristocracy
B) The working class
C) The middle class
D) The clergy
- 28. Which literary work did Addison analyze in a series of Spectator essays?
A) The Canterbury Tales
B) The Faerie Queene
C) Hamlet
D) Paradise Lost
- 29. Which character is described as a man about town and ladies' man?
A) Captain Sentry
B) Sir Roger de Coverley
C) Sir Andrew Freeport
D) Will Honeycomb
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