The Relapse: Or, Virtue in Danger MCQs

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Author: Nasir Iqbal | Assistant Professor of English Literature


Updated on: November 23, 2025
Estimated Reading Time: 17 min

The Relapse: Or, Virtue in Danger MCQs

1. Where is Loveless’s initial house located?

A. Busy London
B. Whitehall Palace
C. Country house
D. Berinthia’s lodgings

C. Country house.
The play’s initial setting, where Loveless is reading, is identified explicitly as his country house.

2. What does Loveless call the coming winter in London?

A. Moral obligation
B. Fiery trial
C. True blessing
D. End of fears

B. Fiery trial.
Loveless states that the winter will be the “fiery trial of my virtue,” proving its true nature.

3. Loveless describes London as what kind of unpleasant place?

A. Scene of failure
B. Theatre of vice
C. Theatre of noise
D. Place of trouble

C. Theatre of noise.
Loveless describes being dragged once more to London, calling it that “uneasy theatre of noise”.

4. What does Amanda fear will happen if Loveless approaches temptation?

A. He will surrender
B. Virtue will fail
C. Arrows gain strength
D. Prudence will answer

C. Arrows gain strength.
Amanda fears that by approaching temptation, Loveless will give the tempting “arrows” strength to hurt him.
5. Loveless tells Amanda that true “heaven” is seated where?

A. True belief
B. Faithful heart
C. In our minds
D. In retirement

C. In our minds.
Loveless quotes a philosophy that states, “Our heaven is seated in our minds,” confirming his tranquility.

6. How long has Young Fashion been absent from his brother?

A. Seven months
B. Three years
C. Ten winters
D. Just a fortnight

B. Three years.
Young Fashion comments on the reception he receives from his brother after three years’ absence.

7. What piece of clothing does Lord Foppington express an “eternal aversion” toward?

A. His waistcoat
B. Nauseous wig
C. Nauseous packet
D. His new periwig

C. Nauseous packet.
Foppington tells his tailor that he will never be reconciled to the “nauseous packet” and wants a new suit.

8. What did Mr Foretop make so long and full of hair?

A. A new suit
B. A periwig
C. A cloak
D. A new snuff-box

B. A periwig.
Foretop tells Lord Foppington that he has made a periwig so long and full it could serve as a hat and cloak.

9. After being ignored, what does Young Fashion resolve to contrive?

A. His recovery
B. A new scheme
C. His destruction
D. A calm reaction

C. His destruction.
Young Fashion, driven by passion and anger, resolves to contrive his brother’s destruction with Lory.
10. Lord Foppington claimed he must hurry away to attend a case where?

A. His tailor’s shop
B. The playhouse
C. House of Lords
D. The city market

C. House of Lords.
Lord Foppington excuses himself from Young Fashion because he must go immediately to the House of Lords for Lady Teaser’s case.

11. What location had Young Fashion recently visited, according to Coupler?

A. France
B. Spain
C. Italy
D. Abroad

C. Italy.
Coupler scornfully asks if Young Fashion has been a year in Italy and only brought home a fool.

12. Coupler says that Young Fashion profits as little from travelling as from going where?

A. To the play
B. Going to church
C. To market
D. To the wars

B. Going to church.
Coupler says young fellows profit no more by going abroad than they do by going to church.

13. Coupler assists Young Fashion primarily to gain access to what?

A. Wealthy merchants
B. Fashionable gentlemen
C. Widows that swarm
D. Honest conscience

C. Widows that swarm.
Coupler mentions that he wants to know Young Fashion’s condition because “widows swarm” and he may need assistance.

14. What relative must Young Fashion pretend to be to gain admittance to Sir Tunbelly’s house?

A. His uncle
B. The Chaplain
C. His brother
D. A friend

C. His brother.
The coupler arranges for Young Fashion to pass for his brother, as no one there has seen the brother’s face.
15. What is the name of the “old gentleman” who is Miss Hoyden’s father?

A. Lord Foppington
B. Sir Tunbelly Clumsy
C. Old Sodom
D. Mr Foretop

B. Sir Tunbelly Clumsy.
Coupler reveals that the old gentleman’s name, Miss Hoyden’s father, is Sir Tunbelly Clumsy.

16. Young Fashion has been forced to mortgage his annuity for how much?

A. One hundred
B. Five hundred
C. A vast sum
D. The whole estate

B. Five hundred.
Young Fashion tells his brother that his necessary expenses exceeded his income, forcing him to mortgage it for “five hundred pounds”.

17. If Young Fashion cannot redeem his annuity, what does he say he must do?

A. Go to jail
B. Go take a purse
C. Become a page
D. Work for Coupler

B. Go take a purse.
He tells his brother that, without help, he knows no remedy but to “go take a purse” (meaning commit robbery).

18. What does Lord Foppington suggest is the best remedy for taking a purse?

A. Financial help
B. Immediate relief
C. Relief t’other
D. Avoid arrest

C. Relief t’other.
Foppington explains that if Young Fashion succeeds, he gets relief one way, but if taken, he is “relieved t’other” (execution).

19. After his brother’s insult, Young Fashion declares he defies what?

A. His brother
B. All laws
C. His conscience
D. The money

C. His conscience.
Following Foppington’s exit, Young Fashion is hardened and declares, “Farewell, snuff-box. And now, conscience, I defy thee”.
20. Lory jokes that Young Fashion’s scruples are strong symptoms of what?

A. Moral strength
B. Symptoms of death
C. Great virtue
D. Financial ruin

B. Symptoms of death.
Lory warns Young Fashion that if his conscience scruples increase, they are strong “symptoms of death” and he should make his will.

21. What did Loveless find in the play he saw in London?

A. A better wife
B. His very character
C. A good actor
D. A new passion

B. His very character.
Loveless confesses that he found “my very character” represented in a play he attended, only with a “relapse”.

22. Loveless tells Amanda he would hardly remove from the lodgings while they stay in London, if she is what?

A. Feeling well
B. Is satisfied
C. Is quiet
D. Likes the city

B. Is satisfied.
Loveless says he is pleased with the lodgings and will hardly move if Amanda is satisfied.

23. Lord Foppington thinks that thinking is the greatest thing in the world?

A. Luxury
B. Fatigue
C. Pleasure
D. Pastime

B. Fatigue.
Foppington states that thinking is the greatest fatigue, explaining why he dislikes quiet country life.

24. What two items furnish Lord Foppington’s private gallery?

A. Paintings, statues
B. Books, looking-glasses
C. Maps, weapons
D. Jewels, furniture

B. Books, looking-glasses.
Foppington confirms that his private gallery is furnished with nothing but books and looking-glasses.
25. What is the name of the surgeon who comes to treat Lord Foppington?

A. Doctor Bull
B. Mr Syringe
C. Mr Foretop
D. Waterman

B. Mr Syringe.
When Foppington is wounded, the servant calls for the surgeon, Mr Syringe, who was just going by.

26. Syringe views the wound and exclaims that a man could drive what through Foppington’s body?

A. A small cart
B. Coach and horses
C. A cannonball
D. A blunderbuss

B. Coach and horses.
Syringe exaggerates the wound, stating, “a man may drive a coach and six horses into your body”.

27. Lord Foppington is willing to pay Syringe how much for his cure?

A. Fifty pounds
B. Five hundred
C. A thousand
D. His whole fortune

B. Five hundred.
Foppington immediately offers Syringe “Five hundred pounds with pleasure” if there is hope for his cure.

28. Syringe views taking Foppington to his house as a place to do what?

A. Treat him
B. Bubble him
C. Hide him
D. Examine him

B. Bubble him.
Syringe states that his house is the proper place “to bubble him out of his money”.

29. Loveless reassures the others that Foppington’s wound is nothing, and he may go where tonight?

A. To the duel
B. To the country
C. To the play
D. To Whitehall

C. To the play.
Loveless dismisses the injury, saying Foppington’s wound is nothing; he can go “to the play tonight if he pleases”.
30. Loveless says he served Foppington well, while Amanda asks for pardon for her what?

A. Wrong action
B. Indiscretion
C. Bad temper
D. Great fears

B. Indiscretion.
Amanda asks for pardon for her “indiscretion,” which led to the duel, though Loveless says no harm was done.

31. Berinthia believes modern love is like a river that sets out violently but is eventually lost where?

A. The ocean
B. Rocky shore
C. In the sands
D. Other rivers

C. In the sands.
She compares love to a river that splits into branches and is “all lost in the sands”.

32. Berinthia says that love “never breaks into anybody’s ground” that has what around it?

A. High walls
B. Great virtue
C. The least fence
D. Firm resolution

C. The least fence.
Berinthia claims that this river of love only overflows the “commons” and avoids ground with the “least fence”.

33. What position does Worthy hold regarding Amanda?

A. He is her cousin
B. He is fond
C. He loves Berinthia
D. He is her friend

B. He is fond.
Worthy confesses to Berinthia that he is “fond of his wife” (Amanda), asking her what she says to his discovery.

34. Berinthia discovers that Worthy is fond of Amanda, and Worthy has discovered that Berinthia is fond of whom?

A. Sir Tunbelly
B. Lord Foppington
C. Loveless
D. Young Fashion

C. Loveless.
Worthy tells Berinthia that he is fond of Loveless, whom he has discovered, and she confirms his affection for Amanda.
35. What does Berinthia suggest Amanda should resolve to do regarding her husband’s activities?

A. Leave him
B. Forgive him
C. Hold up head
D. Find a lover

C. Hold up head.
Berinthia advises Amanda to “hold up your head, get a-tiptoe, and look over ’em all” since her husband is cheating.

36. Loveless asks Berinthia to swear to keep his secret, and she swears by what?

A. Her honour
B. By man
C. By a woman
D. By heaven

B. By man.
When Loveless rejects swearing by “woman” (his deity), she offers to swear “By man, then,” which satisfies him.

37. Loveless catches Berinthia and kisses her, declaring that if they are infected with “the plague,” they will do what?

A. Seek a cure
B. Die together
C. Call Syringe
D. Tell Amanda

B. Die together.
Berinthia cries out that they will be infected, and Loveless says, “Then we’ll die together, my charming angel”.

38. Where is Amanda when the servant interrupts Loveless and Berinthia?

A. In the country
B. In her chamber
C. At cards
D. With Worthy

B. In her chamber.
The servant announces that Lady Amanda has come home and wishes to speak with Loveless in her chamber.

39. Where does Loveless hide when he enters Berinthia’s chamber cautiously?

A. Under the bed
B. Behind a curtain
C. In her closet
D. Near the door

C. In her closet.
Loveless decides her closet is the best hiding spot since he has a master key to open it.
40. Loveless thinks the most likely critical minute to attack Berinthia is when she comes to her what?

A. Her bed
B. Her prayers
C. Reading
D. Sleep

B. Her prayers.
Loveless assumes she is vulnerable during her prayers, as “the devil will be there to assist me”.

41. What type of weapon does the servant at Sir Tunbelly’s ask if it is primed?

A. A pistol
B. A sword
C. The blunderbuss
D. A gun

C. The blunderbuss.
A servant asks Tummas if “the blunderbuss” is primed, showing the suspicious nature of the household.

42. Young Fashion compares Sir Tunbelly’s family seat to what structure, suggesting its massive, crude nature?

A. An old castle
B. Noah’s ark
C. A dark prison
D. A broken ship

B. Noah’s ark.
Young Fashion compares the house to “Noah’s ark,” suggesting it is designed mostly for birds and beasts.

43. Miss Hoyden is excited about the arrival and wants to go put on what item of clothing?

A. Her best cloak
B. Laced smock
C. Wedding dress
D. Clean apron

B. Laced smock.
Hoyden runs off immediately to put on her “laced smock,” despite fearing a whipping.

44. Coupler notes that the Chaplain is likely composed chiefly of “the flesh” because he probably eats three pounds of what in one chapter reading?

A. Chicken
B. Beef
C. Mutton
D. Pork

B. Beef.
Coupler speculates that the Chaplain is a glutton, eating “three pounds of beef to the reading of one chapter”.
45. Young Fashion is warned that his fortune is ruined by the arrival of his brother, who has how many footmen and pages?

A. Just a few
B. Five
C. Twenty
D. Hundreds

C. Twenty.
Lory warns Young Fashion that his brother arrived with “twenty footmen and pages,” two coaches, and a fine coat.

46. What does Sir Tunbelly threaten to use to jerk the truth out of them during the confrontation?

A. His sword
B. Dog-whip
C. A cudgel
D. The blunderbuss

B. Dog-whip.
Sir Tunbelly demands his “dog-whip” so he can “jerk the truth out of ’em presently” during the climactic scene.

47. After the discovery, where does Sir Tunbelly commit Lord Foppington as a prisoner?

A. The barn
B. Dog-kennel
C. The cellar
D. The jail

B. Dog-kennel.
Sir Tunbelly proudly recounts that he committed the prisoner (Foppington) to the “dog-kennel”.

48. What surprising news does Coupler deliver to Young Fashion upon his return to London?

A. He is rich
B. He is a cuckold
C. Coupler is leaving
D. Lory is gone

B. He is a cuckold.
Coupler informs Young Fashion that he is a “cuckold,” meaning his brother has slept with his new wife.

49. What valuable item does Coupler offer Young Fashion if he can prove he is Miss Hoyden’s lawful husband?

A. A dowry
B. Fatgoose living
C. His own house
D. A new annuity

B. Fatgoose living.
Coupler reveals that a parson died, and the presentation of the five hundred pound a year “Fatgoose living” is Young Fashion’s.
50. Amanda finally tests Worthy by demanding what single proof of his sincerity?

A. Leave the city
B. Confess his sins
C. But one proof
D. Marry Berinthia

C. But one proof.
Amanda tells Worthy there is “on earth but one” proof he can give her to convince her of his truth.

Brief Overview

The Relapse: Or, Virtue in Danger is a play by Sir John Vanbrugh. It was first produced and published in 1696. It is a cynical Restoration comedy that satirizes themes of marital fidelity, social status, and hypocrisy within the London aristocracy.

The story opens with Loveless and his wife, Amanda, living peacefully in the country. When they move to London, which Loveless calls an “uneasy theatre of noise,” Loveless claims his virtue is strong but immediately falls back into his old, bad habits, suffering a major “relapse.”

Meanwhile, Young Fashion, a poor gentleman in debt, is ignored by his wealthy, vain brother, Lord Foppington. Lord Foppington offers no financial help to his brother, who jokingly suggests he may “go take a purse” (become a thief).

Young Fashion resolves to ruin his brother. He meets an old man named Coupler, who reveals Lord Foppington is planning to marry a wealthy, rustic girl named Miss Hoyden, the daughter of Sir Tunbelly Clumsy.

Coupler helps Young Fashion trick Sir Tunbelly by having Young Fashion pretend to be Lord Foppington, since the family has never seen the real Lord’s face. Young Fashion travels to Sir Tunbelly’s house, which looks like “Noah’s ark,” and quickly marries Miss Hoyden.

The real Lord Foppington arrives at Sir Tunbelly’s and is treated as an imposter, bound and locked in the “dog-kennel.” Young Fashion escapes quickly. When Young Fashion returns to London, Coupler tells him Lord Foppington may have slept with Miss Hoyden, potentially making Young Fashion a “cuckold.”

Amanda resists Worthy’s advances, choosing virtue. Young Fashion proves he is the lawful husband and gains a valuable inheritance. The play concludes with Young Fashion securing his fortune and Amanda remaining faithful.

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