IGNOU MEG 2 Solved Question Paper | June 2020
- Last Updated On August 12, 2025
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Welcome to our blog, In this post, we’re sharing the IGNOU MEG 2 Solved Question Paper of June 2020 examination, focusing on British Drama.
This guide is here to help you prepare for your exams with clear answers and explanations. Whether you’re just starting or revising for your exams, this resource will make studying easier and more effective.
In this post, we’ll discuss all the answers including the short and long answer questions.
So whether you are a student of IGNOU MEG 2 looking to ace your examination or a learner willing to increase your knowledge, this blog post will help you in all the ways possible.
You can also download all previous year question papers of MEG 2 from our website.
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Question 1
1) Critically comment on any four of the following passages with reference to the context, in not more than 150 words each:
(a) ‘Tis now the very witching time of night,
When churchyards yawn and hell
Itself breathes out contagion to this world.
Now could I drink hot blood, and do
Such bitter business as the bitter day
Would quake to look on
Answer –
In this passage from Act 3, Scene 2 of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlet reflects on the night’s sinister potential, revealing his deepening resolve and moral corruption. The imagery of “churchyards yawning” and “hell breath[ing] out contagion” evokes a sense of supernatural malevolence and moral decay. Hamlet’s statement that he could “drink hot blood” and perform “bitter business” underscores his growing willingness to embrace violence and treachery in pursuit of his revenge.
(b) Now, Faustus, must
Thou needs be damned and canst thou not be saved
Despair in God, and trust in Belzebub:
Now go not backward : no, Faustus be resolute.
Answer –
In this passage from Act 5, Scene 1 of Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus, Faustus grapples with the despair of his impending damnation and the futility of his attempts at redemption. Faustus’s acknowledgment of his inescapable doom reflects his profound regret and disillusionment with his pact with the devil. The lines “Despair in God, and trust in Belzebub” highlight Faustus’s realization that he has forfeited his chance for salvation by relying on demonic powers instead of divine grace.
(c) One day, when I’m not longer spending my days running a sweet-stall,
I may write a book about us all It’ll be recollected in fire and blood. My blood.
Answer –
This passage from Sean O’Casey’s *The Plough and the Stars* reveals the character of the protagonist, Nora, reflecting on her life and aspirations.
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(d) We have only to conquer
Now, by suffering. This is the easier victory.
Now is the triumph of the cross.
Answer –
In this passage from T.S. Eliot’s *Murder in the Cathedral*, the speaker reflects on the nature of victory through suffering and spiritual triumph.
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(e) Women upset everything. When you let them
into your life, you find that the woman is
driving at one thing and you’re driving at
another.
Answer –
This passage from George Bernard Shaw’s *Pygmalion* reveals a character’s perspective on the complexities of relationships between men and women.
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Question 2
2) The Alchemist is a satire on human follies and foibles. Discuss.
Answer –
Ben Jonson’s The Alchemist is a sharp satire that exposes human follies and foibles through its clever portrayal of greed, deception, and gullibility. Set in London during the early 17th century, the play revolves around the schemes of a conman, Subtle, and his accomplices, Face and Dol Common, who exploit the gullibility of various characters seeking to achieve wealth and social advancement through alchemy.
The play satirizes the obsession with alchemy and material wealth. Jonson presents characters who are driven by a desperate desire for riches, demonstrating how their avarice blinds them to reality. Subtle, the pretender to alchemical wisdom, exploits this greed by promising his dupes wealth and power, using elaborate deceptions to manipulate their desires. This portrayal critiques the extent to which individuals will go to achieve their ambitions, regardless of the cost.
Jonson also uses the character of Face, the servant who assists Subtle, to satirize class dynamics and social ambition. Face’s ability to deceive and manipulate his masters underscores the theme of social climbing and the lengths to which people will go to improve their status. The play critiques the superficiality and moral corruption inherent in social mobility and class structure.
Another layer of satire is found in the character of Dol Common, who represents the exploitation of human desires. Her involvement in the schemes illustrates how even those who are seemingly of lower status can exploit the ambitions of others for personal gain. Through Dol, Jonson highlights the pervasive nature of greed and deceit across all social strata.
The various dupes in the play, including Sir Epicure Mammon, Dapper, and the Anabaptist, represent different facets of societal folly. Sir Epicure Mammon’s extravagant dreams of wealth and pleasure, Dapper’s desire for gambling success, and the Anabaptist’s religious fervor all serve to expose the absurdities of their ambitions and the ease with which they are deceived. Their willingness to believe in magical solutions to their problems underscores Jonson’s critique of credulity and the human propensity to fall for false promises.
Through The Alchemist, Jonson delivers a biting commentary on human nature, illustrating how individuals’ desires for wealth, status, and pleasure can lead them to commit absurd and foolish acts. The play remains a timeless exploration of human greed and the consequences of placing trust in deceitful promises, highlighting the enduring relevance of its satirical insights into human behavior.
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Question 3
3) Comment on the nature of the four temptations that Beckett confronts.
Answer –
In Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, the nature of the four temptations that Vladimir and Estragon confront reflects their existential struggles and the broader themes of the play. These temptations are subtly woven into their interactions and symbolize aspects of the human condition as they grapple with the meaning of their existence.
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Question 4
4) How do Hamlet’s soliloquies contribute to the play?
Answer –
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the soliloquies are integral to understanding the protagonist’s inner turmoil, the play’s thematic depth, and the overall narrative structure. These monologues offer a profound insight into Hamlet’s thoughts, motivations, and existential dilemmas, enriching the play’s psychological complexity and thematic resonance.
- Revealing Hamlet’s Inner Conflict: Hamlet’s soliloquies provide a window into his psychological state and moral struggle. For instance, in “To be or not to be” (Act 3, Scene 1), Hamlet contemplates existence, death, and the nature of suffering. This soliloquy reveals his deep existential crisis and indecision about life and suicide. It highlights his struggle with the burden of avenging his father’s murder while grappling with the moral implications of such an act. The soliloquy illuminates his inner conflict between action and inaction, reflecting his paralysis and uncertainty.
- Developing Themes: The soliloquies also advance the central themes of the play, such as revenge, madness, and the nature of humanity. In his soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 5, after encountering the ghost, Hamlet vows to remember and avenge his father’s murder. This vow propels the plot and introduces the theme of revenge. Hamlet’s soliloquies further explore the nature of madness—whether Hamlet’s is genuine or feigned—and the moral and philosophical implications of his actions. His reflections on life, death, and moral integrity shape the thematic landscape of the play.
- Enhancing Dramatic Irony: The soliloquies create dramatic irony by revealing Hamlet’s private thoughts and intentions to the audience while other characters remain unaware. This device deepens the audience’s engagement with the narrative and builds tension. For example, in “O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I” (Act 2, Scene 2), Hamlet criticizes his own inaction and compares himself to actors who can express their emotions convincingly. This self-reflection enhances the dramatic irony as the audience is aware of Hamlet’s internal struggle while other characters misinterpret his behavior.
- Building Character Complexity: Through his soliloquies, Hamlet emerges as a deeply complex and multifaceted character. The soliloquies capture his intellectual and emotional depth, portraying him as a thinker who is profoundly affected by his circumstances. This complexity makes Hamlet one of Shakespeare’s most intriguing characters, as his soliloquies reveal his philosophical inquiries and emotional vulnerabilities.
In summary, Hamlet’s soliloquies are crucial to the play’s narrative and thematic development. They provide insight into his inner conflict, advance key themes, enhance dramatic irony, and build his character’s complexity. Through these monologues, Shakespeare enriches the play’s exploration of existential questions and moral dilemmas, making Hamlet a profound study of human nature and psychological depth.
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Question 5
5) Critically comment on the verbal comedy in Pygmalion.
Answer –
In George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, verbal comedy is a central element that drives the play’s humor and thematic exploration. Shaw employs witty dialogue, linguistic playfulness, and sharp social commentary to create a rich tapestry of verbal comedy that underscores the play’s satire and character dynamics.
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Question 6
6) How do the characters in Look Back in Anger function as sites for a discussion of class and gender issues?
Answer –
In John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger, the characters serve as crucial sites for exploring class and gender issues, reflecting the socio-political tensions of 1950s Britain. Through their interactions, conflicts, and personal struggles, Osborne delves into the complexities of class and gender dynamics in a rapidly changing society.
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