41. What is significant about the sonnet form in Astrophil and Stella?
a) Sidney strictly follows classical forms
b) Sidney innovates by blending Petrarchan and English forms
c) Sidney rejects traditional rhyme schemes
d) Sidney abandons the sonnet form altogether
Answer: b) Sidney innovates by blending Petrarchan and English forms
Explanation: Although Sidney primarily uses the Petrarchan form, he sometimes blends it with the English sonnet form, demonstrating innovation in structure. This mixture of styles showcases Sidney’s experimentation within the boundaries of the sonnet tradition.
42. What does Astrophil hope to achieve through his poetry?
a) Fame and fortune
b) A lasting legacy
c) Stella’s affection
d) The admiration of other poets
Answer: c) Stella’s affection
Explanation: Astrophil writes poetry to express his deep love for Stella, hoping that by reading his verses, she might understand his feelings and eventually return his affection. His frustration arises from her lack of response to both his love and his poetry.
43. How does Sidney portray the role of the poet in Astrophil and Stella?
a) As a politician
b) As a philosopher
c) As a lover and sufferer
d) As a warrior
Answer: c) As a lover and sufferer
Explanation: In Astrophil and Stella, Sidney portrays the poet (Astrophil) as someone who deeply feels the pain of love. The sonnets reflect his inner emotional turmoil, his attempts to communicate his love, and the suffering that results from his unfulfilled desires.
44. What role does Stella play in the sonnet sequence?
a) A fellow poet
b) The object of Astrophil’s unrequited love
c) Astrophil’s political rival
d) A symbol of divine inspiration
Answer: b) The object of Astrophil’s unrequited love
Explanation: Stella is the unattainable object of Astrophil’s affections throughout the sonnet sequence. Her rejection of his love drives much of the emotional conflict in the sequence, as Astrophil longs for her while grappling with the pain of unreturned feelings.
45. In what way does Astrophil and Stella reflect Renaissance ideals?
a) It celebrates material wealth
b) It focuses on human emotions and inner conflict
c) It advocates for political rebellion
d) It rejects classical learning
Answer: b) It focuses on human emotions and inner conflict
Explanation: Astrophil and Stella reflects Renaissance ideals through its focus on individual emotions, inner conflict, and the exploration of love. The sonnet sequence delves into the complexities of the human experience, aligning with the Renaissance interest in personal and emotional depth.
