Complete Exam Guide Subject-wise practice platform
Metaphysical Poetry

John Donne Practice Questions

20 free John Donne practice questions for the English Literature, each with the correct answer and a detailed explanation. Open any question below, or take the full set as an interactive quiz.

Start Practice Quiz

Questions

All John Donne questions

20 questions
  1. Q1. In 'A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning', Donne famously compares the souls of the two lovers to which mathematical instrument?
  2. Q2. Which specific term did Samuel Johnson use to describe the school of poetry associated with Donne, characterized by 'wit' and unusual metaphors?
  3. Q3. In 'The Flea', how does the speaker attempt to persuade his mistress to yield to his romantic advances?
  4. Q4. What is the primary theme of Donne's 'Holy Sonnet X' (Death, be not proud)?
  5. Q5. In 'The Good-Morrow', Donne suggests that for the lovers, their small bedroom has become what?
  6. Q6. The lines 'No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent' appear in which work by Donne?
  7. Q7. In 'The Sun Rising', why does the speaker scold the sun?
  8. Q8. Which phrase best describes the characteristic 'Metaphysical conceit'?
  9. Q9. In 'The Canonization', the speaker argues that if the lovers cannot live by love, they will do what?
  10. Q10. What is the 'Batter my heart' request in Holy Sonnet XIV addressed to?
  11. Q11. Donne's early life and poetry are often categorized as 'Jack Donne', while his later religious life is 'Dr. Donne'. What was his final professional role?
  12. Q12. In 'The Apparition', what does the speaker threaten to do after he is dead?
  13. Q13. Which scientific advancement of the early 17th century influenced Donne's line 'And new philosophy calls all in doubt'?
  14. Q14. In 'A Valediction: Of Weeping', the speaker compares his tears to what objects?
  15. Q15. What is the 'Extasie' in Donne's poem of the same name referring to?
  16. Q16. Which major 20th-century poet is credited with reviving interest in John Donne and the Metaphysicals?
  17. Q17. In the poem 'The Relic', what does the speaker imagine will happen when his grave is dug up?
  18. Q18. The poem 'Twicknam Garden' uses which of the following to express the speaker's sorrow?
  19. Q19. In 'A Hymn to God the Father', Donne repeatedly puns on which two words?
  20. Q20. Which of these is a typical characteristic of Donne's poetic meter and tone?