Book of Common Prayer (Wedding Vows)
What is the primary promise made in the wedding vows of the Book of Common Prayer?
To love and cherish each other as long as they both shall live.
Which Bible translation, authorized in 1611, is known for its poetic language?
King James Version
What was the historical context of Elizabeth’s speech at Tilbury?
The speech was given in 1588 as she rallied troops against the threat of the Spanish Armada.
What does the character Error symbolize in the excerpt?
Falsehood and deception.
Which biblical principle underlies the vow to “forsake all others”?
The principle of fidelity and exclusive commitment.
What was the significance of the Geneva Bible for English Protestants?
It was the first English Bible with extensive Protestant annotations and was widely used by English Protestants.
Identify one key rhetorical strategy Elizabeth uses to inspire her troops.
Using inclusive language like “we” to unify herself with her soldiers.
How is Una portrayed as an allegorical figure?
As truth, purity, and the true church.
In which century was the Book of Common Prayer first published?
16th century.
Why was the Authorized Version (1611) commissioned?
To create a standardized English Bible acceptable to the Church of England and unify religious practice.
What does Elizabeth mean by the phrase “I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman”?
She acknowledges her physical vulnerability but asserts her strong spirit and resolve.
Identify one biblical allusion present in the section with Error and Una.
Una represents the “one true faith,” similar to the Christian Church.
Name one way the vows emphasize mutual support during “health and sickness.”
By promising to stay with and care for each other in sickness as well as in health.
Name one major difference between the Geneva Bible and the King James Version.
The Geneva Bible included marginal notes with Protestant commentary; the King James Version removed these notes to appear more neutral.
How does Elizabeth's speech reflect her leadership qualities despite gender expectations of the time?
She demonstrates courage, authority, and strategic thinking that defy contemporary views of female weakness.
Describe the role of the dwarf in the allegory.
The dwarf acts as a guide and protector to Una, symbolizing wisdom or conscience., also as Reason
Which phrase in the wedding vows highlights the lifelong commitment of marriage?
Till death us do part.”
What role did Bible translations play in shaping religious and political views in Elizabethan England?
They influenced public understanding of scripture, supported Protestant theology, and helped shape national identity and political authority.
Why is this speech considered a defining moment in Elizabethan England?
It symbolized national unity and Elizabeth’s role as a powerful monarch defending England
What is the significance of the struggle between Una and Error in the context of the poem’s larger themes?
It represents the conflict between truth and falsehood, good and evil, central to the poem’s moral purpose.