51. Which famous Romantic writer was a contemporary and friend of William Hazlitt?
a) Charles Dickens
b) John Milton
c) Samuel Taylor Coleridge
d) T.S. Eliot
Answer: c) Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Explanation: Hazlitt was closely associated with many Romantic writers, including Samuel Taylor Coleridge. He admired Coleridge’s intellectual depth but also found his tendency to engage in long philosophical discussions exhausting. In On Going a Journey, Hazlitt humorously notes that traveling with someone like Coleridge, who talks constantly, would hinder his ability to enjoy solitude. Despite their differences, Hazlitt and Coleridge shared an appreciation for deep thought and literary expression.
52. What historical change in Britain during Hazlitt’s time made travel easier?
a) The invention of the steam engine and expansion of roads
b) The introduction of airplanes
c) The decline of the British Empire
d) The increase in railway strikes
Answer: a) The invention of the steam engine and expansion of roads
Explanation: During Hazlitt’s lifetime, Britain experienced significant advancements in transportation. The steam engine revolutionized travel, leading to the development of better roads and the expansion of stagecoach services. These improvements made long-distance travel more accessible to a broader segment of society. Hazlitt’s reflections on travel must be understood in this historical context—his ideas were shaped by a time when independent exploration was becoming more feasible.
53. When was William Hazlitt born?
a) 1754
b) 1778
c) 1802
d) 1835
Answer: b) 1778
Explanation: William Hazlitt was born on April 10, 1778, in Maidstone, Kent, England. He grew up in a politically active and intellectual environment, which greatly influenced his later works. His father was a Unitarian minister, and Hazlitt initially studied to become a preacher but later shifted his focus to philosophy, literature, and journalism. His birth during the late 18th century placed him in the heart of the Romantic era, where he became an important literary and cultural critic.
54. William Hazlitt was known primarily as a:
a) Poet
b) Novelist
c) Essayist and critic
d) Historian
Answer: c) Essayist and critic
Explanation: Although Hazlitt dabbled in painting and philosophy, he was best known for his work as an essayist and literary critic. His essays covered a broad range of topics, including politics, literature, philosophy, and personal reflections. He wrote with wit, insight, and a deep understanding of human nature. His works remain influential, especially his writings on Shakespeare and the Romantic poets. Unlike poets such as Wordsworth and Coleridge, Hazlitt’s strength lay in prose rather than verse.
55. What was one of the key themes in Hazlitt’s works?
a) Industrial progress
b) Individual freedom and personal experience
c) Scientific discoveries
d) Political totalitarianism
Answer: b) Individual freedom and personal experience
Explanation: Hazlitt’s essays often emphasized individualism, liberty, and the value of personal experiences. His political views were deeply influenced by his support for the French Revolution, and he championed the idea of freedom from social constraints. His literary essays, such as On Going a Journey, celebrate the joy of solitude, self-reflection, and the power of unstructured thought. His focus on personal impressions made him a major voice in Romantic literary criticism.
56. Apart from essays, what other kind of writing was Hazlitt known for?
a) Travel guides
b) Literary criticism
c) Detective fiction
d) Religious sermons
Answer: b) Literary criticism
Explanation: In addition to his essays, Hazlitt was a significant literary critic, particularly known for his analysis of Shakespeare. His book Characters of Shakespeare’s Plays (1817) is regarded as one of the earliest modern works of Shakespearean criticism. He also wrote on contemporary poets, including Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Byron, offering sharp insights into their strengths and weaknesses. His criticism was highly influential and shaped the way future generations interpreted literature.
57. Which of the following best describes Hazlitt’s political views?
a) He was a strong supporter of monarchy
b) He was a radical liberal and supported the French Revolution
c) He avoided politics in his writings
d) He was a supporter of colonialism
Answer: b) He was a radical liberal and supported the French Revolution
Explanation: Hazlitt was a radical liberal, strongly advocating for the principles of the French Revolution, such as liberty, equality, and fraternity. He was deeply critical of monarchy and aristocracy, believing that they oppressed the common people. His political essays were often controversial, and his support for radical democratic ideals made him unpopular with conservative audiences. His works, such as The Spirit of the Age, reflect his commitment to progressive political thought.
58. What is one of Hazlitt’s most famous books on literary criticism?
a) The Principles of Criticism
b) Characters of Shakespeare’s Plays
c) The Anatomy of Melancholy
d) The Preface to Lyrical Ballads
Answer: b) Characters of Shakespeare’s Plays
Explanation: Published in 1817, Characters of Shakespeare’s Plays is one of Hazlitt’s most significant works. In this book, he explores Shakespeare’s ability to create deeply human and psychologically complex characters. His analysis was groundbreaking because he focused on the emotions and personalities of Shakespeare’s figures rather than just their dramatic function. This book helped solidify Shakespeare’s reputation as the greatest English playwright and remains a valuable work of criticism today.
59. Where was William Hazlitt born?
a) London, England
b) Paris, France
c) Maidstone, Kent, England
d) Edinburgh, Scotland
Answer: c) Maidstone, Kent, England
Explanation: Hazlitt was born in Maidstone, Kent, England, to a Unitarian minister. His early life was marked by frequent relocations, as his father moved between various religious congregations in England and America. Though he initially pursued painting, he eventually turned to writing and became one of the most respected literary critics of his time. His birthplace and upbringing influenced his radical political views and his appreciation for literature and philosophy.
60. How did Hazlitt’s writing influence later literary critics?
a) He developed a structured theory of literary criticism
b) He emphasized personal impressions over rigid analytical methods
c) He promoted the study of Old English texts
d) He rejected Romantic ideals in favor of classical literary values
Answer: b) He emphasized personal impressions over rigid analytical methods
Explanation: Hazlitt revolutionized literary criticism by prioritizing personal impressions rather than strict academic analysis. Unlike earlier critics who focused on rigid structures, Hazlitt believed that literature should evoke an emotional and intellectual response in the reader. His work influenced later critics, including Virginia Woolf and F.R. Leavis, who embraced the idea that criticism should be an expression of genuine engagement rather than a detached scholarly exercise.
