The Rape of the Lock

by

Alexander Pope

The Rape of the Lock: Canto II Quiz 8 questions

Test your knowledge of Canto II. Submit your answers to see your results and get feedback.
Which of the following best describes the reaction of the people towards Belinda as she sails along the River Thames?
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They are indifferent to her presence
They are envious of her bejeweled cross
They are dazzled by her beauty
They are critical of her "female errors"
What does Belinda's bejeweled cross symbolize in the context of the epic?
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Her deep religious faith
Her disinterest in wealth and status
Her superstitious desire to ward off evil
Her interest in beauty over religion
How does Belinda's beauty affect her in court?
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It makes her the center of both admiration and gossip
It enables her to challenge patriarchal power dynamics
It causes men to treat her like she's part of the royalty
It makes her susceptible to animosity and scorn
Why does the Baron build a pyre before the sun rises?
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To pray to Love for success in winning his "prize"
To keep himself warm during the early hours
To destroy evidence of past relationships
To mourn the loss of a loved one
When it comes to his influence over Belinda, Ariel's motivations are suggested to be:
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Solely angelic
Solely devilish
Between angelic and devilish
Completely unknown
What does Ariel's concern about both important and trivial matters suggest about the courtly world she inhabits?
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That it values humor and wit above all else
That it prioritizes moral virtue over appearances
That it is indifferent to personal calamities
That it is fixated on appearances
What tasks are assigned to the sylphs to protect Belinda?
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Looking after her mostly trivial possessions
Guarding her life and ensuring her happiness
Preventing any man from approaching her
Making sure she wins every game she plays
What does the comparison of Belinda's petticoat to an epic hero's shield suggest about the significance of chastity in her world?
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It is a burden that restricts her freedom
Its loss would be considered essentially fatal
It is a protective force that ensures her safety
It is a trivial matter not worth considering