1. What does Adonis tell Venus is the only thing he could love?
(a) A boar.
(b) His own purity.
(c) His religious faith.
(d) His horse.

2. What technique is used in lines 19 and 20, "not cloy thy lips with loath’d satiety,/ But rather famish them amid their plenty"?
(a) Inversion.
(b) Polysyndeton.
(c) Malapropism.
(d) Paradox.

3. When Venus and Adonis are on the ground kissing in lines 547-558, what is Venus being compared to?
(a) A predatory wild animal.
(b) A destructive storm at sea.
(c) A greedy child at the table.
(d) A soldier on the field of battle.

4. What does Adonis tell Venus he primarily objects to about her professions of love?
(a) They are embarrassing.
(b) They are dishonest.
(c) They are unfeminine.
(d) They are callous.

5. Toward the end of the passage, what does Venus say Adonis must do in order for her to release his hand?
(a) Admit that he desires her.
(b) Promise not to leave.
(c) Kiss her willingly.
(d) Give back her heart.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which is the best characterization of the connotations of Venus's description of "fountains" (line 234) and "rising hillocks" in her description of the park (line 237)?

2. What color is most prominent in the description of Venus kneeling before Adonis and putting her hand on his cheek?

3. What technique is used in lines 401 and 402, "Who is so faint that dare not be so bold/ To touch the fire, the weather being cold?"

4. In lines 79-84, what bargain does Venus try to strike with Adonis?

5. What type of human does Venus compare the boar to?

(see the answer key)

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