50+ MCQs on Poetic Justice with Answers for UGC NET / SET Prepration

1. What is poetic justice?
a) A form of meter in poetry
b) A type of poetic rhyme scheme
c) The idea that virtue is rewarded and vice is punished in a work of literature
d) The use of figurative language in poetry

2. Who coined the term “poetic justice”?
a) William Shakespeare
b) Aristotle
c) Samuel Taylor Coleridge
d) Alexander Pope

3. In which literary genre is poetic justice commonly found?
a) Tragedy
b) Comedy
c) Epic
d) Satire

4. What is the opposite of poetic justice?
a) Tragedy
b) Irony
c) Epic
d) Satire

5. In which Shakespearean play is there a famous example of poetic justice?
a) Hamlet
b) Romeo and Juliet
c) Macbeth
d) Othello

6. Poetic justice is often associated with:
a) Random events
b) Divine intervention
c) Tragic outcomes
d) Unpredictable characters

7. What does the term “nemesis” refer to in the context of poetic justice?
a) A poetic meter
b) A divine punishment for wrongdoingMCQs on Poetic Justice 
c) A character’s archenemy seeking revenge
d) A type of poetic rhyme scheme

8. Which literary device is closely related to the concept of poetic justice?
a) Foreshadowing
b) Irony
c) AllegoryMCQs on Poetic Justice 
d) Hyperbole

9. In a narrative with poetic justice, what typically happens to virtuous characters?
a) They meet tragic ends
b) They face constant challenges
c) They are rewarded or find happiness
d) They become villains

10. Who wrote the famous line, “The mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small”?
a) William Blake
b) John Milton
c) Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
d) Friedrich Nietzsche

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11. In which literary work does the character Iago face poetic justice for his deceitful actions?
a) Macbeth
b) Othello
c) King Lear
d) A Midsummer Night’s Dream

12. What is the primary purpose of poetic justice in literature?
a) To create suspense
b) To entertain the audienceMCQs on Poetic Justice 
c) To reinforce moral values
d) To challenge societal norms

13. In a story with poetic justice, what typically happens to villainous characters?
a) They achieve redemption
b) They are forgiven by the protagonistMCQs on Poetic Justice 
c) They face consequences for their actions
d) They become heroes

14. Which term is used to describe the alignment of events in a way that rewards or punishes characters based on their actions?
a) Karma
b) Irony
c) Satire
d) Symbolism

15. What role does fate often play in the concept of poetic justice?
a) It is irrelevant
b) It determines the outcome of events
c) It is a random force
d) It only affects the antagonist

16. In a story with poetic justice, what might happen to a character who betrays their friends?
a) They receive a reward
b) They face consequences for their betrayal
c) They become the hero
d) They are ignored by the plot

17. Which of the following is an example of poetic justice in Greek mythology?
a) Zeus being overthrown by other gods
b) Prometheus being punished for stealing fire
c) Hercules facing constant failures
d) Aphrodite’s beauty causing chaos

18. What is the relationship between poetic justice and morality in literature?
a) They are unrelated concepts
b) Poetic justice reinforces moral valuesMCQs on Poetic Justice 
c) Poetic justice challenges moral norms
d) Morality has no impact on poetic justice

19. In a story with poetic justice, what might happen to a character who selflessly helps others?
a) They face betrayal
b) They are punished for their kindness
c) They receive rewards or happiness
d) They become isolated

20. Which term is used to describe the technique of rewarding a virtuous character and punishing a villainous one in a narrative?
a) Irony
b) Allegory
c) Satire
d) Poetic justice

21. In Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” what happens to Macbeth as a result of his ambitious and villainous actions?
a) He becomes the king
b) He is hailed as a hero
c) He faces a tragic downfall
d) He lives a long and happy life

22. Which literary work features a classic example of poetic justice through the fate of the character Shylock?
a) Romeo and Juliet
b) The Merchant of Venice
c) Othello
d) Julius Caesar

23. How does poetic justice differ from tragic irony?
a) Poetic justice involves a happy ending, while tragic irony leads to sadness.
b) Poetic justice rewards virtue, while tragic irony involves a twist of fate.MCQs on Poetic Justice 
c) Poetic justice is found in comedies, while tragic irony is found in tragedies.
d) Poetic justice is intentional, while tragic irony is unintentional.

24. In a story with poetic justice, what might happen to a character who deceives others for personal gain?
a) They achieve success and happinessMCQs on Poetic Justice 
b) They face consequences for their deceit
c) They are admired by other characters
d) They become the protagonist

25. What is the role of the audience’s perception in the effectiveness of poetic justice?
a) It is irrelevant
b) It determines the outcome of events
c) It enhances the emotional impact
d) It confuses the narrative

26. Who is known for saying, “Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?” referring to the poetic justice in the death of Brutus in Julius Caesar?
a) Mark Antony
b) Cassius
c) Octavius
d) Calpurnia

27. In the context of poetic justice, what might happen to a character who betrays their own family?
a) They are rewarded with wealth
b) They face consequences for their betrayal
c) They become the family’s leader
d) They are forgiven without consequences

28. What is the role of choice and free will in the concept of poetic justice?
a) Characters have no control over their fate
b) Characters’ choices impact the outcome of events
c) Free will is an illusion in poetic justice
d) Choices only matter for the antagonist

29. In a narrative with poetic justice, what often happens to a character who undergoes a moral transformation?
a) They become the antagonist
b) They are punished for their transformation
c) They achieve redemption and happiness
d) They face continuous hardships

30. Which term is used to

describe a situation in which the outcome of events is the opposite of what is expected or intended?
a) Foreshadowing
b) Irony
c) Satire
d) Poetic justice

31. In a story with poetic justice, what might happen to a character who values material wealth over personal relationships?
a) They become a respected leader
b) They face consequences for their priorities
c) They receive endless gifts
d) They are protected from harm

32. Who is known for saying, “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh?” in a speech that reflects on the absence of poetic justice for Shylock?
a) Portia
b) Antonio
c) Shylock
d) Jessica

33. Which term is used to describe the technique of using events to illustrate moral or ethical principles in a narrative?
a) Foreshadowing
b) Allegory
c) Hyperbole
d) Poetic justice

34. In the context of poetic justice, what might happen to a character who abuses their power?
a) They become a beloved leader
b) They face consequences for their abuse of power
c) They are rewarded with more power
d) They retire peacefully

35. What role does timing often play in the implementation of poetic justice in a narrative?
a) It is irrelevant
b) Timing is carefully planned for maximum impact
c) Timing is random and unpredictable
d) It only affects the antagonist

36. In which Shakespearean play does the character Shylock experience a lack of poetic justice in the courtroom scene?
a) Macbeth
b) Othello
c) The Merchant of Venice
d) King Lear

37. In a story with poetic justice, what might happen to a character who remains true to their principles despite adversity?
a) They face constant hardships
b) They become the antagonist
c) They achieve success and happiness
d) They are ignored by the plot

38. Which term is used to describe a situation in which the outcome of events is the opposite of what is expected or intended?
a) Foreshadowing
b) Irony
c) Satire
d) Poetic justice

39. Who is known for saying, “The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones” in Julius Caesar, reflecting on the absence of poetic justice for Brutus?
a) Mark Antony
b) Cassius
c) Octavius
d) Calpurnia

40. In a story with poetic justice, what might happen to a character who lacks empathy and compassion?
a) They become the protagonist
b) They face consequences for their lack of empathy
c) They are admired by other characters
d) They achieve eternal happiness

41. Which term is used to describe the technique of using events to illustrate moral or ethical principles in a narrative?
a) Foreshadowing
b) Allegory
c) Hyperbole
d) Poetic justice

42. In a narrative with poetic justice, what might happen to a character who betrays their own principles for personal gain?
a) They are rewarded with success
b) They face consequences for their betrayal
c) They become the hero
d) They are ignored by the plot

43. Who is known for saying, “The better part of Valour, is Discretion,” in Henry IV, Part 1, expressing the idea that discretion is a form of poetic justice?
a) Prince Hal
b) Falstaff
c) Hotspur
d) King Henry IV

44. In a story with poetic justice, what might happen to a character who values friendship and loyalty?
a) They face constant betrayals
b) They become the antagonist
c) They are rewarded with strong friendships
d) They are isolated from others

45. What is the role of the resolution in a narrative with poetic justice?
a) It is irrelevant
b) It determines the outcome of events
c) It enhances the emotional impact
d) It only affects the antagonist

46. In which Shakespearean play does the character Macbeth face poetic justice for his ambitious and villainous actions?
a) Hamlet
b) Macbeth
c) King Lear
d) A Midsummer Night’s Dream

47. In a story with poetic justice, what might happen to a character who is consistently honest and truthful?
a) They face constant deception
b) They become the antagonist
c) They achieve success and happiness
d) They are ignored by the plot

48. Which term is used to describe the technique of rewarding virtue and punishing vice in a narrative?
a) Irony
b) Allegory
c) SatireMCQs on Poetic Justice 
d) Poetic justice

49. In the context of poetic justice, what might happen to a character who abuses their power?
a) They become a beloved leader
b) They face consequences for their abuse of powerMCQs on Poetic Justice 
c) They are rewarded with more power
d) They retire peacefully

50. Who is known for saying, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!” in King Lear, reflecting on the absence of poetic justice for his ungrateful daughters?
a) King Lear
b) Cordelia
c) Gloucester
d) Kent

Answers 

1. c) The idea that virtue is rewarded and vice is punished in a work of literature
2. d) Alexander Pope
3. b) Comedy
4. a) Tragedy
5. c) Macbeth
6. b) Divine intervention
7. c) A character’s archenemy seeking revenge
8. b) Irony
9. c) They are rewarded or find happiness
10. a) William Blake
11. b) Othello
12. c) To reinforce moral values
13. c) They face consequences for their actions
14. a) Karma
15. b) It determines the outcome of events
16. b) They face consequences for their betrayal
17. b) Prometheus being punished for stealing fire
18. b) Poetic justice reinforces moral values
19. c) They receive rewards or happiness
20. d) Poetic justice
21. c) He faces a tragic downfall
22. b) The Merchant of Venice
23. b) Poetic justice rewards virtue, while tragic irony involves a twist of fate.
24. b) They face consequences for their deceit
25. c) It enhances the emotional impact
26. a) Mark Antony
27. b) They face consequences for their betrayal
28. b) Characters’ choices impact the outcome of events
29. c) They achieve success and happiness
30. b) Irony
31. d) They become the protagonist
32. c) Shylock
33. b) Allegory
34. b) They face consequences for their abuse of power
35. b) Timing is carefully planned for maximum impact

36. c) The Merchant of Venice
37. c) They achieve success and happiness
38. b) Irony
39. a) Mark Antony
40. b) They face consequences for their lack of empathy
41. b) Allegory
42. d) They are ignored by the plot
43. b) FalstaffMCQs on Poetic Justice 
44. c) They are rewarded with strong friendships
45. c) It enhances the emotional impact
46. b) Macbeth
47. c) They achieve success and happinessMCQs on Poetic Justice 
48. d) Poetic justice
49. b) They face consequences for their abuse of power
50. a) King Lear