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An allegory can only be interpreted at one level.
False
What is alliteration primarily defined as?
Who is the author of the allegory 'Piers Plowman'?
William Langland
In 'Piers Plowman', the protagonist, Piers, is associated with the ideal values of a __________.
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Which statement about 'Piers Plowman' is true?
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Match the literary term with its description:
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The opening vision of 'Piers Plowman' features a tower that symbolizes the presence of good values.
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What does the huge crowd in the opening vision of 'Piers Plowman' symbolize?
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Study Notes
Alliteration
- Repetition of similar sounds at the beginning of words in stressed syllables.
- Example: "on Scrolls of Silver snowy sentence"
- Close repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, often strengthened by alliterative letters in the middle of words (e.g., "She sells sea shells by the seashore").
- Can be used to enforce meaning or for melodic beauty.
- Some letters can create specific literary effects:
- "w" conveys vastness and desolation (e.g., "way," "wave," "wide world").
- "s" and "l" convey peace and serenity.
Allegory
- Derived from the Greek word "allegorig".
- More than just a metaphor, it's a literary technique.
- A story with a double meaning: a surface meaning and a deeper, underlying meaning.
- Can be interpreted at multiple levels.
- Example: "The calm lake was a mirror."
Piers Plowman (P.P.)
- A long religious allegory in alliterative verse.
- Written in the West Midland dialect.
- Author's name (William Langland) is written at the end of the poem.
- No definitive information about the author is available.
- Poem written in the form of a dream vision.
The Story of Piers Plowman
- Introduces a series of visions about how man can attain salvation.
- Conveys the poet's criticism of medieval English society, its beliefs, and values.
- Reveals the vices of the poet's time.
- Piers is an ideal 14th century farmer representing true Christian values.
- He judges the world and guides others towards spiritual well-being.
The Opening Vision of Piers Plowman
- The dreamer sees a tower in the distance, symbolizing God's house (the Tower of Troth).
- This tower represents truth and righteousness, in contrast to the hypocrisy and corruption of the world.
- The dreamer falls asleep dressed as a hermit and dreams of a field full of people, representing the world in all its variety.
- A pilgrimage to the shrine of Holy Truth takes place, symbolic of searching for truth.
- The dreamer encounters many figures and realizes that nobody knows where truth resides.
- The plowman, representing true faith, knows where truth lies.
- The vision concludes with the understanding that those who do good will go to heaven and those who do evil will go to hell.
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Description
Explore the fascinating literary techniques of alliteration and allegory in this quiz. Learn how these devices enhance meaning and create beauty in language, illustrated with examples from literature. Test your understanding of these concepts and their applications in works like 'Piers Plowman'.
