The following lines are from Alexander Pope's "An Essay on Criticism." In it, Pope (1688-1744) gives his opinions on the secret
of good writing, opinions that were very consistent with his times. Answer the question below based upon these lines.
Those RULES of old discover'd, not devis'd,
Are Nature still, but Nature Methodiz'd;
Nature, like Liberty, is but restrain'd
By the same Laws which first herself ordain'd.
...
You then whose Judgment the right Course wou'd steer, [5]
Know well each ANCIENT's proper Character,
His Fable, Subject, Scope in ev'ry Page,
Religion, Country, Genius of his Age:
Without all these at once before your Eyes,
Cavil you may, but never Criticize. [10]
Be Homer's Works your Study, and Delight,
Read them by Day, and meditate by Night,
Thence form your Judgment, thence your Maxims bring,
And trace the Muses upward to their Spring;
Still with It self compar'd, his Text peruse; [15]
And let your Comment be the Mantuan* Muse.
...
True Wit is Nature to Advantage drest,
What oft was Thought, but ne'er so well Exprest,
...
True Ease in Writing comes from Art, not Chance,
As those move easiest who have learn'd to dance, [20]
*Mantuan: Mantua was the home of Vergil, the author of the Aeneid.
1. Which of figure of speech is used in lines 1-4?
a. Simile
b. Hyperbole
c. Analogy
d. Personification
