Which phrase was likely not a standard cliché in eighteenth-century poetry ?
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Answer: C. simian rivalry
Explanation
Eighteenth-century poetry relied on conventional poetic diction, making 'simian rivalry' an anachronistic and non-standard phrase. Neoclassical poets utilized elevated, generalized terms rather than scientific or colloquial jargon in their verses. An anachronistic phrase involving primates reflects modern evolutionary vocabulary completely absent from Augustan poetry. Poetic diction in the eighteenth century followed strict rules of decorum, favoring elegant periphrasis and decorous nouns. Standard clichés included formulas like verdant mead to describe green fields without naming them bluntly. Neoclassical writers deliberately avoided harsh or specialized terminology to maintain musical smoothness in heroic couplets.
Recognizing period-specific diction helps students identify stylistic periods when analyzing anonymous historical poetry. Wordsworth famously attacked eighteenth-century poetic diction in his preface to Lyrical Ballads, demanding real language. Examining linguistic clichés reveals how tightly constrained poetic conventions were during the Augustan age. Verdant mead was a standard neoclassical cliché used repeatedly to describe pastoral landscapes elegantly. Checkered shade represents a conventional picturesque description of dappled sunlight filtering through forest trees. Shining sword served as a standard poetic cliché associated with military heroism, combat, and chivalric honor.
- Subject
- English
- Category
- English Literature
- Topic
- —
- Difficulty
- medium
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