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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the third poem in "Sonnet to Orpheus," who are the three basic characters?
(a) The song, the god, the mortal man.
(b) The animal, the song, the mortal man.
(c) The diaphonous girl, the god, the song.
(d) The god, the man, the animal.

2. What topic does the first elegy introduce?
(a) Shakespeare.
(b) Angels.
(c) Love.
(d) Demons.

3. In Rilke's description of supplication, from whom does the man expect to receive assistance?
(a) Sent angels.
(b) An ancient Greek god.
(c) An angry god.
(d) A mysterious woman.

4. In Rilke's poem, what do bird feeders represent?
(a) A romantic and passionate love.
(b) A love for one's child.
(c) Ignorance of the real world.
(d) A relationship with God.

5. In Rilke's poem, who did the prodigal son feel bound by?
(a) Those who loved him.
(b) Those who disparaged him publicly.
(c) Those who hated him.
(d) Those who respected him.

Short Answer Questions

1. In what years were the "Uncollected Poems" written?

2. In which instrument does Rilke believe Orpheus is perceivable?

3. Which of the following best describes the "diaphonous girl"?

4. Which of the following is a line from the poem "To Holderlin"?

5. What is the poem about faces called?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the editors connect praise and grief when putting together Rilke's sonnets?

2. Describe the elegy about angels.

3. What is the distinction between a poem and an elegy?

4. Why do you think that only some poems have titles?

5. How does Rilke create a dramatic tone in his sonnets?

6. What is "Faces" about?

7. What does the format of the lines say about Rilke and his poetry in Book 1, Chapter 6?

8. Who does the invisible 'you' reference in the first poem in "Sonnets to Orpheus"?

9. What is the difference between a poem and prose?

10. How does Rilke give in to tradition while writing, as exemplified in his elegies?

(see the answer keys)

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