Poe’s Poetry Quizzes

Poe's Poetry Quiz 1

By Bella Wang · Edited by Damien Chazelle · Last reviewed August 17, 2009

1 Under what circumstances does Tamerlane tell his story?

He is telling a story to his children.

He is writing a letter on his deathbed.

He is confessing to a priest.

He is sending a message to his childhood love.
2 What does Tamerlane regret the most?

His overweening pride

His neglect of love

His weak will

His loss of power
3 What has most motivated Tamerlane during his lifetime?

Fear

Love

Hate

Ambition
4 Where was Tamerlane raised?

In the desert

In the mountains

By the ocean

In the city
5 What did Tamerlane speak of to his childhood love on the mountain?

Power and pride

Eternity

Practicality

Love
6 What does Tamerlane long for in his old age?

Physical comfort

Death

Pity

Hope
7 How does Tamerlane describe his soul?

Carefree

Cold

Tired

Fiery
8 How did Tamerlane achieve power?

Inheritance of a throne

Treachery

Manipulation of the king

Military victories
9 To which mythological figure does the narrator of "Sonnet - To Science" NOT refer?

Diana

Naiad

Hamadryad

Pallas
10 To what bird does the narrator of "Sonnet - To Science" compare science?

Eagle

Raven

Vulture

Osprey
11 Who narrates "Sonnet - To Science"?

A mathematician

The poet

A chemist

A philosopher
12 What does the narrator of "Sonnet - To Science" say of science?

It stifles the imagination.

It allows for miraculous inventions.

It stimulates human creativity.

It brings order to the universe.
13 What main literary device does the narrator of "Sonnet - To Science" use?

Hyperbole

Personification

Metaphor

Simile
14 How does science interact with nature in "Sonnet - To Science"?

It clears nature of myth.

It enforces human law on nature.

It helps to protect what is left of nature.

It can be a force either for good or for evil in nature.
15 Where is the narrator of "Sonnet - To Science" presumably resting?

Next to a surf tormented shore

In a peaceful railroad car

Beneath a tamarind tree

On top of a mountain
16 Which of the following does NOT characterize a sonnet?

Fourteen lines

Iambic pentameter

Elevated language

Rigid rhyme scheme
17 To what does the narrator of "To Helen" compare Helen?

A perfumed sea

An agate lamp

Nicean ships

A warm hearth
18 What characteristic does NOT describe Helen in "To Helen"?

Naiad airs

Hyacinth hair

Lithe figure

Classic face
19 What does Helen hold in "To Helen"?

Rope

Clothing

Food

Lamp
20 What does the narrator of "To Helen" call Helen?

Penelope

Helen of Troy

Aphrodite

Psyche
21 Where does Helen stand in "To Helen"?

In a window

Outside her gate

Next to the door

In her bedroom
22 How does the narrator of "To Helen" identify himself

As a king

As a wanderer

As a farmer

As a young boy
23 Which of the following is NOT used in "To Helen"?

Simile

End rhyme

Allusion

Alliteration
24 Why does the narrator of "To Helen" praise Helen?

She always remembers his favorite food.

She never forgot to write him while he was away.

Thoughts of her brought him home.

She understands him more than any other.
25 Who is Guy de Vere in "Lenore"?

The father

The narrator

The grieving lover

The brother