View a FREE sample

This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part IV, Sections I - VII.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Burke define the beautiful in feeling?
(a) That which can be simultaneously seen and smelled.
(b) That which highly arouses the emotions.
(c) That which is pleasant to the touch.
(d) That which is roughly textured.

2. How does Burke define sympathy?
(a) As a painful realization, and reasoned acceptance, of one's humanity .
(b) As a sort of emotional substitution between people or through art.
(c) As a desirable state of mind reached by looking inward towards one's own soul.
(d) As an unnecessary show of weakness that will cause pain.

3. Why is suddenness sublime, according to Burke?
(a) Because the body's reaction is unpredictable.
(b) Because that which is sudden is very interesting.
(c) Because the mind is suddenly put on its guard.
(d) Because easy transitions are pleasant.

4. According to Burke, who is most capable of beauty?
(a) The male sex.
(b) The female sex.
(c) Rustic peasants.
(d) Elegant aristocrats.

5. What, according to Burke, is the state of a man whose teeth are set and whose forehead is wrinkled?
(a) Great pain.
(b) Utter delight.
(c) Terrible wrath.
(d) Complete confusion.

Short Answer Questions

1. What caveat does Burke offer to his readers about "A Philosophical Enquiry Into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful"?

2. How does Burke define "magnificence?"

3. To which scientific finding does Burke compare his study of the beautiful and sublime?

4. What quality of mind does Burke find in women that he thinks is analogous to fragility?

5. Which method of teaching does Burke think best?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 381 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample