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Milton and Seventeenth-Century Epic

Absalom and Achitophel Practice Questions

19 free Absalom and Achitophel practice questions for the English Literature. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.

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Question 1 of 19 Medium

Who wrote Absalom and Achitophel?

  1. A John Milton
  2. B Alexander Pope
  3. C John Dryden
  4. D Jonathan Swift

Correct answer: John Dryden

Absalom and Achitophel was written by John Dryden. It is one of the greatest political satires of the Restoration period and uses biblical allegory to comment on contemporary politics.

Question 2 of 19 Medium

Absalom and Achitophel was first published in which year?

  1. A 1681
  2. B 1667
  3. C 1704
  4. D 1711

Correct answer: 1681

Absalom and Achitophel was first published in 1681. It appeared during the political crisis surrounding the Exclusion Bill and the succession of James, Duke of York.

Question 3 of 19 Medium

What major political event forms the background of Absalom and Achitophel?

  1. A The Popish Plot and Exclusion Crisis
  2. B The Glorious Revolution of 1688 in Britain
  3. C The English Civil War
  4. D The Reform Act of 1832

Correct answer: The Popish Plot and Exclusion Crisis

The poem is rooted in the Popish Plot panic and the Exclusion Crisis. Dryden uses biblical allegory to defend Charles II and attack those who opposed the royal succession.

Question 4 of 19 Medium

In the biblical allegory of Absalom and Achitophel, King David represents

  1. A Oliver Cromwell
  2. B Charles II
  3. C James II
  4. D William III

Correct answer: Charles II

King David represents Charles II in Dryden's political allegory. Dryden presents him as a legitimate and merciful ruler threatened by political rebellion.

Question 5 of 19 Medium

In Absalom and Achitophel, Absalom represents which historical figure?

  1. A The Duke of Monmouth
  2. B The Earl of Shaftesbury
  3. C James, Duke of York
  4. D Samuel Pepys

Correct answer: The Duke of Monmouth

Absalom represents James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, the illegitimate son of Charles II. Like the biblical Absalom, he is portrayed as attractive and popular but politically dangerous.

Question 6 of 19 Medium

In Absalom and Achitophel, Achitophel represents

  1. A John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester
  2. B Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury
  3. C John Bunyan
  4. D George Villiers, Second Duke of Buckingham

Correct answer: Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury

Achitophel represents the Earl of Shaftesbury, a major supporter of the Exclusion movement. Dryden depicts him as a cunning political manipulator who tempts Absalom into rebellion.

Question 7 of 19 Medium

Which biblical story provides the main framework for Absalom and Achitophel?

  1. A The rebellion of Absalom against King David
  2. B The fall of Adam and Eve
  3. C The journey of Moses through the wilderness
  4. D The betrayal of Samson by Delilah

Correct answer: The rebellion of Absalom against King David

Dryden uses the biblical story of Absalom's rebellion against his father David. This framework allows him to transform contemporary English politics into a grand moral and political allegory.

Question 8 of 19 Medium

Which verse form is used in Absalom and Achitophel?

  1. A Blank verse
  2. B Heroic couplets
  3. C Spenserian stanza
  4. D Terza rima

Correct answer: Heroic couplets

Absalom and Achitophel is written in heroic couplets. Dryden's controlled rhymed iambic pentameter gives the poem clarity, force, and satirical sharpness.

Question 9 of 19 Medium

What political position does Dryden mainly support in Absalom and Achitophel?

  1. A Support for royal authority and legitimate succession
  2. B Support for republican revolution
  3. C Support for abolishing monarchy completely and permanently
  4. D Support for foreign invasion

Correct answer: Support for royal authority and legitimate succession

Dryden defends Charles II and the principle of legitimate succession. The poem attacks political faction and warns against rebellion disguised as public virtue.

Question 10 of 19 Medium

Which character in Absalom and Achitophel is presented as charming, handsome, and beloved by the people but politically misguided?

  1. A David
  2. B Absalom
  3. C Achitophel
  4. D Zimri

Correct answer: Absalom

Absalom is portrayed as attractive, popular, and naturally gifted. However, Dryden presents him as vulnerable to manipulation by Achitophel and tempted toward rebellion.

Question 11 of 19 Medium

Which character in Absalom and Achitophel is famous for representing political inconsistency and restless ambition?

  1. A Zimri
  2. B Barzillai
  3. C David
  4. D Amiel

Correct answer: Zimri

Zimri represents the Duke of Buckingham and is satirized as unstable, changeable, and ambitious. Dryden's portrait of Zimri is one of the poem's most famous character sketches.

Question 12 of 19 Medium

The character Zimri in Absalom and Achitophel represents which Restoration figure?

  1. A George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham
  2. B James Scott, Duke of Monmouth and Buccleuch
  3. C Charles II
  4. D John Dryden himself

Correct answer: George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham

Zimri represents George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham. Dryden mocks him as a man of many talents but little steadiness or moral seriousness.

Question 13 of 19 Medium

Which quality is most characteristic of Dryden's satire in Absalom and Achitophel?

  1. A Complete absence of public issues
  2. B Purely sentimental self-expression devoid of political argument
  3. C Fragmented stream of consciousness
  4. D Balanced wit, rhetorical force, and political argument

Correct answer: Balanced wit, rhetorical force, and political argument

Dryden's satire combines wit, classical balance, sharp characterization, and persuasive political reasoning. His heroic couplets give the poem an orderly and authoritative tone.

Question 14 of 19 Medium

What does Achitophel try to persuade Absalom to do?

  1. A Leave politics entirely and become a monk
  2. B Write a pastoral poem
  3. C Defend the Duke of York
  4. D Rebel against David and claim power

Correct answer: Rebel against David and claim power

Achitophel urges Absalom to exploit his popularity and challenge David's authority. This represents Shaftesbury's alleged encouragement of Monmouth's political ambitions.

Question 15 of 19 Medium

In Absalom and Achitophel, Dryden uses biblical names mainly to

  1. A write a literal, verse-by-verse translation of the entire Bible
  2. B avoid all reference to English politics
  3. C compose a religious hymn
  4. D hide and elevate contemporary political satire through allegory

Correct answer: hide and elevate contemporary political satire through allegory

Dryden uses biblical names to represent real political figures and events. This strategy gives contemporary politics moral seriousness while allowing powerful satirical comparison.

Question 16 of 19 Medium

Which of the following themes is central to Absalom and Achitophel?

  1. A Nature worship and childhood memory
  2. B Industrial poverty, urban realism, and working-class struggle
  3. C Legitimacy, rebellion, political manipulation, and monarchy
  4. D Medieval courtly love

Correct answer: Legitimacy, rebellion, political manipulation, and monarchy

The poem explores questions of lawful succession, political loyalty, faction, and rebellion. Dryden presents political disorder as a threat to national stability.

Question 17 of 19 Medium

Who is represented by the character Barzillai in Absalom and Achitophel?

  1. A Oliver Cromwell
  2. B William Congreve, the playwright
  3. C James Butler, Duke of Ormond
  4. D John Locke

Correct answer: James Butler, Duke of Ormond

Barzillai represents James Butler, Duke of Ormond, a loyal supporter of the monarchy. Dryden praises him as an example of honour, loyalty, and public virtue.

Question 18 of 19 Medium

Which statement best explains why Absalom and Achitophel is important in English literary history?

  1. A It is widely regarded as the first English novel of manners in prose
  2. B It is the earliest English sonnet sequence
  3. C It is a major example of political satire written in heroic couplets
  4. D It is a Romantic manifesto against reason

Correct answer: It is a major example of political satire written in heroic couplets

Absalom and Achitophel is one of the finest political satires in English. Its use of heroic couplets, biblical allegory, and sharp character portraiture made it a landmark of Restoration literature.

Question 19 of 19 Medium

Which statement best describes Dryden's portrayal of David in Absalom and Achitophel?

  1. A He is shown as a comic servant with no authority or status
  2. B He is shown as a rebel against his own kingdom
  3. C He is shown as merciful, legitimate, and politically wise
  4. D He is shown as a scholar detached from politics

Correct answer: He is shown as merciful, legitimate, and politically wise

David represents Charles II and is portrayed with dignity and mercy. Dryden emphasizes his lawful authority and contrasts it with the ambitions of rebels and factional leaders.

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