Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC): Question Paper for Assistant Professor (College Education) – 2020 Paper-II (English-II)
Question 05. Match the sonnet sequences with their authors:
| Author | Sonnet sequence |
| i. Edmund Spenser ii. Samuel Daniel iii. Michael Drayton iv. Henry Constable | a. Idea b. Amoretti c. Diana d. Sonnets to Delia |
- A. i-a, ii-d, iii-c, iv-b
- B. i-c, ii-d, iii-a, iv-b
- C. i-b, ii-d, iii-a, iv-c
- D. i-a, ii-d, iii-b, iv-c
Answer: C. i-b, ii-d, iii-a, iv-c
Explanation: The correct match between the sonnet sequences and their authors is as follows:i.
- Edmund Spenser – b. Amoretti
- Samuel Daniel – d. Sonnets to Delia
- Michael Drayton – a. Idea
- Henry Constable – c. Diana
Edmund Spenser (1552/1553–1599) > Sonnet Sequence: Amoretti Notable Facts: Edmund Spenser is one of the most important poets of the English Renaissance. "Amoretti," published in 1595, is a collection of 89 sonnets chronicling the courtship between Spenser and his future wife, Elizabeth Boyle. It's celebrated for its innovative use of the Spenserian sonnet form (comprises three interlocked quatrains and a final couplet, with the rhyme scheme ABAB BCBC CDCD EE), which Spenser himself devised, and its exploration of love from a Protestant perspective. Samuel Daniel (1562–1619) > Sonnet Sequence: Sonnets to Delia Notable Facts: Samuel Daniel was an English poet and historian. "Sonnets to Delia," published in 1592, consists of 50 sonnets that lament unrequited love, influenced by Petrarchan conventions. The sequence is notable for its classical simplicity and elegance, reflecting Daniel's refined poetic style. Michael Drayton (1563–1631) > Sonnet Sequence: Idea Notable Facts: Michael Drayton was a versatile poet known for his historical and topographical works. The sonnet sequence "Idea's Mirror" (1594), later known simply as "Idea," comprises 51 sonnets. It explores the theme of ideal, unattainable love and is characterized by its passionate intensity and inventive use of poetic forms. Henry Constable (1562–1613) > Sonnet Sequence: Diana Notable Facts: Henry Constable was a notable figure among the English Catholic poets. His sonnet sequence "Diana," published in 1592, is one of the earliest English sonnet sequences, admired for its lyrical beauty and spiritual depth. The work is a collection of sonnets that blend Petrarchan love motifs with religious contemplation. Each of these poets made significant contributions to the development of the English sonnet during the Renaissance, reflecting the diverse themes and styles of the period. Their work not only showcases the richness of Elizabethan and Jacobean poetry but also marks an important evolution in the English literary tradition.