UGC NET ENGLISH June 2023 β€’ Criticism (Q43-Q50)

Question 43: Match List I with List II

List I (Concepts/Responses)

A. Response to Stephen Gosson

B. The Individual Talent

C. Catharsis

D. Sweetness and Light

List II (Critics)

I. Aristotle

II. Matthew Arnold

III. T.S. Eliot

IV. Philip Sidney

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer: 2. A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II

Correct Mappings:(Asked in Exam)

  • I. Aristotle - Catharsis: In his work "Poetics," Aristotle introduced the concept of catharsis, which refers to the emotional release or purification experienced by the audience of a tragedy. According to Aristotle, through witnessing the suffering and downfall of tragic characters, audiences experience a cathartic purging of their own emotions. Catharsis allows for a psychological and emotional transformation, providing a sense of relief and a heightened understanding of the human condition.
  • II. Matthew Arnold - Sweetness and Light: Matthew Arnold, a prominent Victorian critic, advocated for the pursuit of "sweetness and light" in his essay "Culture and Anarchy." He believed that true culture, achieved through education and intellectual development, could lead to the harmonious progress of society. "Sweetness" represents the aesthetic and artistic aspects of culture, while "light" refers to rational and intellectual enlightenment.
  • III. T.S. Eliot - The Individual Talent: T.S. Eliot, in his influential essay "Tradition and the Individual Talent," discusses the role of the individual poet in relation to literary tradition. Eliot argues that the poet's creative expression is shaped by the collective wisdom of the past, and true originality emerges from the assimilation and transformation of that tradition.
  • IV. Philip Sidney - Response to Stephen Gosson: Philip Sidney, in his critical work "An Apology for Poetry," responds to the attacks on poetry made by Stephen Gosson. Gosson criticised poetry for its alleged moral corruption and lack of educational value. In his response, Sidney defends poetry as a noble art form that holds the power to inspire and educate through imaginative storytelling.

Question 44: What is the correct chronological sequence of the following texts?

A. "The Advancement of Learning"

B. "An Apology for Poetry"

C. "The Uses of the Spectator"

D. "My Relations"

E. "How it Strikes a Contemporary"

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer: 2. B, A, C, D, E

1595

An Apology for Poetry: Literary criticism by Sir Philip Sidney, written about 1582 and published posthumously in 1595 (also titled The Defence of Poesie). It masterfully refutes Plato’s infamous decision to ban poets from the state in his Republic.

1605

The Advancement of Learning: A book by Francis Bacon. It inspired the taxonomic structure of the highly influential EncyclopΓ©die and is a pioneering essay in support of empirical philosophy.

1711-1712

The Spectator: A daily publication founded by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele in England.

1823

My Relations: An essay that is part of Essays of Elia, a collection of essays written by Charles Lamb, first published in book form in 1823.

1855

How it Strikes a Contemporary: A part of the collection Men and Women, fifty-one poems in two volumes by Robert Browning, first published in 1855.

Question 45: Francis Bacon's The Advancement of Learning was dedicated to

Answer: 1. King James I

Francis Bacon dedicated "The Advancement of Learning" to King James I.(Asked in Exam)

Francis Bacon (1561-1626), also known as Lord Verulam, was a renowned English philosopher and statesman who held prominent positions such as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England during the reign of King James I. His contributions spanned the realms of natural philosophy and the scientific method, making him a leading figure in the advancement of knowledge during the Scientific Revolution.

One of his influential works is "The Advancement of Learning" (1605), which provided a framework for the taxonomic structure later adopted by the highly influential EncyclopΓ©die by Jean le Rond d'Alembert and Denis Diderot. Notably, Bacon's book stands as a pioneering essay in support of empirical philosophy, leaving a lasting impact on the development of knowledge and understanding.

Question 46: Thomas Hobbes's philosophical tract Leviathan was first published in

Answer: 3. 1651

Thomas Hobbes's philosophical tract Leviathan was first published in 1651.(Asked in Exam)

Leviathan is the magnum opus of Thomas Hobbes, a prominent early-modern English philosopher, scientist, and ethicist. This significant work is titled Leviathan, or, The Matter, Form, and Power of a Commonwealth, Ecclesiastical and Civil. Hobbes developed his political philosophy in this book, building upon ideas presented in his earlier work, De Cive (1642).

Hobbes's political theory revolves around the concept of collective security, viewing government as a means to ensure the safety and well-being of society. He proposes that political authority is justified through a hypothetical social contract among the people, granting power to a sovereign (whether a monarch, legislature or other form of political authority). This sovereign becomes responsible for the protection and welfare of all citizens.

Leviathan had a profound impact on subsequent philosophers who embraced the social-contract framework, including renowned thinkers like John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Immanuel Kant.

Question 47: Which of the following works are written by John Dennis?

A. The Advancement and Reformation of Modern Poetry

B. The Christian Hero

C. The Grounds of Criticism in Poetry

D. The Conscious Lovers

E. An Essay on the Genius and Writings of Shakespeare

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer: 2. A, C and E

John Dennis wrote The Advancement and Reformation of Modern Poetry, The Grounds of Criticism in Poetry, and An Essay on the Genius and Writings of Shakespeare.(Asked in Exam)

John Dennis (1657-1734) was an English critic and dramatist.

Major essays:

  • Remarks ... (1696), on Blackmore's epic of Prince Arthur.
  • The Advancement and Reformation of Modern Poetry (1701), perhaps his most important work.
  • The Grounds of Criticism in Poetry (1704), in which he argued that the ancients owed their superiority over the moderns in poetry to their religious attitude.
  • Essay on the Genius and Writings of Shakespeare in Three Letters (1712).
Other Explanations

The Conscious Lovers is a sentimental comedy written in five acts by the Irish author Richard Steele. It appeared on stage on 7 November 1722.

The Christian Hero is a 1735 tragedy by the British writer George Lillo. It is based on the life of Skanderbeg, who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth century.

Question 48: Given below are two statements:

Statement 1: Criticism is the construction of a judgement about the negative or positive qualities of someone or something.

Statement 2: Criticism can be theoretical, practical, impressionistic, affective, prescriptive, or descriptive.

In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer given below:

Answer: 4. Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are true.

Statement 1 is true(Asked in Exam) because criticism indeed involves making judgments about the positive or negative qualities of someone or something. When critics analyze a work of art, literature, or any subject matter, they evaluate its strengths and weaknesses and provide their judgement about its overall value or quality.

Statement 2 is also true(Asked in Exam) because criticism can take various forms depending on the approach and purpose of the critic. The different types of criticism mentioned - theoretical, practical, impressionistic, affective, prescriptive, and descriptive - represent various approaches and methodologies that critics use to analyse and evaluate the subject matter.

Therefore, both statements are true as they accurately describe the nature and diversity of criticism.

Question 49: The character who discusses the relative merits of French drama and English drama in Essay of Dramatic Poesy is

Answer: 2. Lisideius

Lisideius maintains that French drama is better than English drama in Dryden's essay.(Asked in Exam)

In 1668, Dryden published Of Dramatick Poesie, an Essay, a leisurely discussion between four contemporary writers of whom Dryden (as Neander) is one. This work is a defence of English drama against the champions of both ancient Classical drama and the Neoclassical French theatre; it is also an attempt to discover general principles of dramatic criticism.

The four men debate a series of three topics:

  • 1. The relative merit of classical drama (upheld by Crites) vs. modern drama (championed by Eugenius);
  • 2. Whether French drama, as Lisideius maintains, is better than English drama (supported by Neander, who famously calls Shakespeare "the greatest soul, ancient or modern");
  • 3. Whether plays in rhyme are an improvement upon blank verse dramaβ€”a proposition that Neander now advances against the sceptical Crites.

Question 50: Arrange the correct chronological sequence of the publication of the following texts:

A. Essay of Dramatic Poesy

B. A Room of One's Own

C. Culture and Anarchy

D. The Lives of the Poets

E. "Preface to the Lyrical Ballads"

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer: 1. A, D, E, C, B

1668

Essay of Dramatic Poesy: John Dryden argues that poetic drama with English and Spanish influence is a justifiable art form when compared to traditional French poetry.

1779-81

The Lives of the Poets: A work by Samuel Johnson that includes short biographies and critical appraisals of 52 poets who lived during the eighteenth century.

1800/1802

Preface to the Lyrical Ballads: An essay by William Wordsworth, first published in the second edition of the poetry collection in 1800. It is considered a de facto manifesto of the Romantic movement.

1869

Culture and Anarchy: A series of periodical essays by Matthew Arnold addressing political and social issues and offering Arnold's views on culture and society.

1929

A Room of One's Own: An essay by Virginia Woolf based on two lectures she gave at Cambridge. She argues that financial independence and a dedicated space are essential for women to pursue creative endeavours.

Active Recall Zone

Solidify your knowledge from the Literary Criticism section (Q43-Q50):

  • In Dryden's Essay of Dramatic Poesy, which character advocates for French drama over English drama?
    (Lisideius)
  • In what exact year was Thomas Hobbes's Leviathan published?
    (1651)
  • Which eminent Victorian critic introduced the concept of "Sweetness and Light"?
    (Matthew Arnold in "Culture and Anarchy")
  • To which monarch did Francis Bacon dedicate The Advancement of Learning?
    (King James I)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core argument of Philip Sidney's "An Apology for Poetry"?

Written in response to Stephen Gosson, Sidney argues that poetry is a noble art form capable of teaching moral truths more effectively than history or philosophy through its imaginative power.

Who wrote "The Grounds of Criticism in Poetry"?

It was written by John Dennis in 1704. He argued that ancient poets were superior to modern ones due to their profound religious attitudes.

Tags: Literary Criticism, Cultural Studies, UGC NET PYQ, John Dryden, Aristotle | Published: May 11, 2026

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