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Selections From The Tatler And The Spectator - Quiz
Contributed by: Knott
  • 1. Selections From The Tatler And The Spectator is a curated anthology that showcases some of the most notable essays, critiques, and observations from two of the most influential periodicals of the early 18th century, The Tatler and The Spectator. Founded by Richard Steele in 1709, The Tatler was the first English daily publication, setting the stage for periodical literature by merging news with literary commentary, offering readers insights into contemporary culture, fashion, and society at large. Following closely in its footsteps, The Spectator was launched by Steele and Joseph Addison in 1711, and it further refined the art of the essay while addressing moral and philosophical themes through engaging prose and witty narrative. This collection encapsulates the essence of the whimsical yet earnest spirit of the Age of Enlightenment, as it delves into the lives of London’s upper and middle classes, examining their virtues, vices, and everyday interactions. The selections highlight the unique styles of both authors, with Addison’s eloquent and reflective writing complementing Steele’s more direct and conversational approach, making the anthology not only a reflection of historical thought but also a remarkable literary achievement that continues to resonate with readers seeking to understand the evolution of English literature and societal commentary.

    Who was the primary author of The Tatler?
A) Joseph Addison
B) Alexander Pope
C) Samuel Johnson
D) Richard Steele
  • 2. What was the name of the fictional club at the heart of The Spectator?
A) The Scriblerus Club
B) The Tatler Society
C) The Kit-Cat Club
D) The Spectator Club
  • 3. Who was the fictional narrator and observer of London society for The Spectator?
A) Will Honeycomb
B) Isaac Bickerstaff
C) Sir Roger de Coverley
D) Mr. Spectator
  • 4. What was the pseudonym used by Richard Steele in The Tatler?
A) Lemuel Gulliver
B) Mr. Spectator
C) Alexander Selkirk
D) Isaac Bickerstaff
  • 5. Which famous fictional country gentleman was a member of the Spectator Club?
A) Sir Andrew Freeport
B) Sir Roger de Coverley
C) Sir John Falstaff
D) Squire Western
  • 6. What was the primary focus of the essays in The Tatler and The Spectator?
A) Scientific discovery
B) Morals and manners
C) Political satire
D) Religious doctrine
  • 7. How often was The Spectator originally published?
A) Monthly
B) Weekly
C) Quarterly
D) Daily
  • 8. In what century were The Tatler and The Spectator published?
A) 18th century
B) 16th century
C) 17th century
D) 19th century
  • 9. Which member of the Spectator Club represented the world of commerce and trade?
A) Will Honeycomb
B) Sir Andrew Freeport
C) The Clergyman
D) Captain Sentry
  • 10. The essays are considered a key part of which literary period?
A) The Romantic Period
B) The Augustan Age
C) The Renaissance
D) The Victorian Era
  • 11. Which member of the Spectator Club was a soldier?
A) The Clergyman
B) Will Honeycomb
C) Sir Andrew Freeport
D) Captain Sentry
  • 12. The essays often took aim at the vice of...
A) Piety
B) Vanity
C) Intelligence
D) Poverty
  • 13. Which literary form did The Spectator help to popularize?
A) The epic poem
B) The periodical essay
C) The revenge tragedy
D) The gothic novel
  • 14. How did Mr. Spectator describe his own character?
A) A silent observer
B) A loud critic
C) A political agitator
D) A religious preacher
  • 15. The fictional narrator of The Tatler, Isaac Bickerstaff, claimed what profession?
A) Doctor
B) Merchant
C) Astrologer
D) Lawyer
  • 16. The papers were instrumental in shaping the tastes of the emerging...
A) Middle class
B) Aristocracy
C) Working class
D) Rural peasantry
  • 17. What was the total number of original Spectator papers published?
A) 555
B) 999
C) 100
D) 275
  • 18. The essays are celebrated for their contribution to the development of...
A) Modern English prose
B) Dramatic tragedy
C) The sonnet form
D) Epic poetry
  • 19. Which of these was a stated aim of The Spectator?
A) To publish romantic fiction
B) To enliven morality with wit
C) To critique theatrical performances
D) To report on political news
  • 20. Who co-founded The Spectator with Richard Steele?
A) Joseph Addison
B) John Dryden
C) Daniel Defoe
D) Jonathan Swift
  • 21. The essays often critiqued the social manners of which city?
A) Paris
B) Dublin
C) Edinburgh
D) London
  • 22. What literary device is heavily employed for satire and criticism in the essays?
A) Irony
B) Onomatopoeia
C) Hyperbole
D) Personification
  • 23. Which member of the Spectator Club is a man of fashion and gallantry?
A) Sir Andrew Freeport
B) The Clergyman
C) Will Honeycomb
D) Captain Sentry
  • 24. Which famous poet contributed to The Spectator?
A) Alexander Pope
B) John Milton
C) William Wordsworth
D) Geoffrey Chaucer
  • 25. What was the primary venue for reading these periodicals?
A) Theaters
B) Churches
C) Parliament
D) Coffeehouses
  • 26. Which of these is a famous essay from The Spectator about imagination?
A) An Essay on Man
B) Areopagitica
C) A Modest Proposal
D) The Pleasures of the Imagination
  • 27. Sir Roger de Coverley is characterized as a(n):
A) Bold military captain
B) Wealthy city merchant
C) Cunning lawyer
D) Eccentric country gentleman
  • 28. What was the name of the Tory political periodical that opposed these works?
A) The Examiner
B) The Idler
C) The Rambler
D) The Guardian
  • 29. Which virtue is most frequently promoted in the essays?
A) Extreme piety
B) Blind faith
C) Military valor
D) Good sense
  • 30. Isaac Bickerstaff was the pseudonym used by the author of which periodical?
A) The Tatler
B) The Examiner
C) The Spectator
D) The Guardian
  • 31. What was the name of the coffee-house that was a frequent subject in The Tatler?
A) Will's Coffee-House
B) Button's Coffee-House
C) Lloyd's Coffee House
D) The Grecian
  • 32. The essays often used this device to criticize society indirectly.
A) Onomatopoeia
B) Satire
C) Hyperbole
D) Allegory
  • 33. The essays are considered important early examples of what type of writing?
A) Scientific writing
B) Religious scripture
C) Legal writing
D) Journalism
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