Question 1

And Pity, like a naked new-born babe, Striding the blast, or heaven's Cherubins, hors'd Upon the sightless couriers of the air, Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, That tears shall drown the wind - I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itsel

Accepted Answer

The provided lines, extracted from Macbeth's pivotal soliloquy in Act I, Scene VII of Shakespeare's *Macbeth*, offer profound insight into his internal conflict and the nature of his ambition before the murder of King Duncan. This passage, a crucial element in British Literature studies, reveals Macbeth's moral awareness and the psychological torment preceding his infamous deed, a key topic discussed in BEGC-133 course materials regarding Shakespearean tragedy.

Macbeth grapples with the immense

Question 2

Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.

Accepted Answer

The powerful lines, "Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing," are spoken by Macbeth in Act V, Scene V of William Shakespeare's tragedy *Macbeth*. This soliloquy represents the protagonist's profound despair and nihilistic view of life following the death of his wife, Lady Macbeth, and the imminent collapse of his tyrannic

Question 3

Soldiering, my dear madam, is the coward's art of attacking mercilessly when you are strong, and keeping out of harm's way when you are weak. That is the whole secret of successful fighting. Get your enemy at a disadvantage; and never, on any account, fight him on equal terms.

Accepted Answer

The provided quote offers a deeply cynical and pragmatic redefinition of soldiering, stripping away any romantic or heroic illusions often associated with warfare. It portrays military strategy not as a test of courage or honor, but as a calculated 'art' of exploitation and self-preservation. This perspective stands in stark contrast to idealized notions of chivalry and fair play.

This statement deconstructs the traditional image of a soldier, revealing a core truth: success in combat often hin

Question 4

... More things are wrought by prayer Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice Rise like a fountain for me night and day. For what are men better than sheep or goats That nourish a blind life within the brain, If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer Both for themselves and those wh

Accepted Answer

The given lines, "... More things are wrought by prayer / Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice / Rise like a fountain for me night and day. For what are men better than sheep or goats / That nourish a blind life within the brain, If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer / Both for themselves and those who call them friend?" are spoken by King Arthur to Sir Bedivere in Alfred, Lord Tennyson's epic poem, "The Passing of Arthur." This concluding section of *Idylls of the King*

Question 5

Write short notes on the following:

Accepted Answer

Here are short notes on the specified literary topics, drawing insights from the BEGC-133 British Literature course material.

### The role of the witches in Macbeth
The Weird Sisters in Shakespeare's *Macbeth* serve as pivotal catalysts, initiating the play's tragic trajectory through their enigmatic prophecies. Their initial pronouncements to Macbeth and Banquo – that Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor and King hereafter, and Banquo's descendants will be kings – effectively awaken Macbeth's laten

Question 6

Write short essays on the following:

Accepted Answer

a Bernard Shaw's play *Arms and the Man* is unequivocally an 'anti-romantic comedy', a classification that perfectly captures its dual intent: to entertain through wit and satire while systematically dismantling the pervasive romantic illusions of its Victorian era. Shaw, a master of social commentary, uses the play to expose the practical realities beneath the veneer of idealized heroism, love, and war, presenting a revolutionary perspective that challenged contemporary sensibilities.

The play

Question 7

Explain how Hardy creates a picture of the people and landscape of rural England of the Victorian age, in Far from the Madding Crowd.

Accepted Answer

Thomas Hardy, in 'Far from the Madding Crowd,' masterfully paints a vivid and intricate picture of rural England during the Victorian age, meticulously detailing both its landscape and its inhabitants. He achieves this through rich descriptive prose, authentic characterisation, and a profound exploration of the symbiotic relationship between humanity and nature, capturing a world on the cusp of change. The novel serves as an enduring pastoral elegy, portraying the rhythms and hardships of an agr

BEGC-133 Solved Assignment — January 2026 / July 2025

British Literature | IGNOU Bachelor of Arts (General) (CBCS) (BAG)

BEGC-133—January 2026 / July 2025

British Literature

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BEGC-133 Assignment Questions — January 2026

Q2. Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.

Q3. Soldiering, my dear madam, is the coward's art of attacking mercilessly when you are strong, and keeping out of harm's way when you are weak. That is the whole secret of successful fighting. Get your enemy at a disadvantage; and never, on any account, fight him on equal terms.

QII. Write short notes on the following:

QIII. Write short essays on the following:

QIV. Explain how Hardy creates a picture of the people and landscape of rural England of the Victorian age, in Far from the Madding Crowd.