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Canticle of the Sun Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: The Canticle of the Sun: Composition, Theology, and Legacy

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The Canticle of the Sun: Composition, Theology, and Legacy Study Guide

Genesis and Attribution

The Canticle of the Sun is exclusively known by its original title and has no alternative names.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Canticle of the Sun is also known by alternative titles such as 'Canticle of the Creatures' and 'Laudes Creaturarum'.

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Saint Francis of Assisi, a Catholic friar, is the sole credited composer of the Canticle of the Sun.

Answer: True

Explanation: Saint Francis of Assisi, a Catholic friar and founder of the Franciscan Orders, is credited with composing the Canticle of the Sun.

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The Canticle of the Sun is broadly classified as a secular folk song.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Canticle of the Sun is generally classified as a religious song, reflecting its spiritual content.

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The phrase 'Laudes Creaturarum' translates to 'Praise of the Creator' in English.

Answer: False

Explanation: 'Laudes Creaturarum' translates to 'Praise of the Creatures,' not 'Praise of the Creator'.

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Which of the following is NOT an alternative title for the Canticle of the Sun?

Answer: Praise of the Creator

Explanation: Alternative titles for the Canticle of the Sun include 'Canticle of the Creatures' and 'Laudes Creaturarum' (Praise of the Creatures).

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Who is recognized as the composer of the Canticle of the Sun?

Answer: Saint Francis of Assisi

Explanation: Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with composing the Canticle of the Sun.

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What is the general classification of the Canticle of the Sun as a piece of music?

Answer: A religious song

Explanation: The Canticle of the Sun is generally classified as a religious song, reflecting its spiritual content and purpose.

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What does the phrase 'Laudes Creaturarum' mean in relation to the Canticle of the Sun?

Answer: Praise of the Creatures

Explanation: 'Laudes Creaturarum' is one of the alternative names for the Canticle of the Sun, translating directly to 'Praise of the Creatures'.

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Contextual Development

The original language of the Canticle of the Sun was Latin, a common language for religious texts of the era.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Canticle of the Sun was originally written in an Umbrian dialect of the Italian language, not Latin.

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The Canticle of the Sun holds historical significance as the first known work of literature in the Italian language with a known author.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Canticle of the Sun is considered the first work of literature in the Italian language for which the author is known.

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Saint Francis composed the entirety of the Canticle of the Sun in a single location, the Vescovado.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Canticle was primarily composed in San Damiano, Assisi, with only the last two stanzas added in the Vescovado.

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The majority of the Canticle was composed by Saint Francis while he was recovering from an illness at San Damiano in a cottage built by Saint Clare.

Answer: True

Explanation: Most of the Canticle was composed by Saint Francis in late 1224 while recovering from an illness at San Damiano, in a cottage built by Saint Clare and other women of her Order.

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The Canticle of the Sun was first sung in its entirety by Saint Francis alone, shortly before his death.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Canticle was first sung in its entirety by Saint Francis and two of his companions, Brothers Angelo and Leo, on his deathbed.

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Saint Francis was physically blind due to an eye disease during the composition period, leading to a legend about him dictating the Canticle.

Answer: True

Explanation: Saint Francis suffered from blindness due to an eye disease during the composition, leading to a legend that he dictated the Canticle.

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The first historical reference to the Canticle of the Sun appears in a biography of Saint Francis written by Thomas of Celano in 1228.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Canticle of the Sun is first mentioned in the *Vita Prima*, a biography of Saint Francis written by Thomas of Celano in 1228.

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The 'Codice 338' is a 15th-century manuscript of the Canticle housed in the Vatican Library.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'Codice 338' is a 13th-century manuscript of the 'Cantico delle Creature' housed in the Biblioteca del Sacro Convento, not the Vatican Library.

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The Order of Poor Ladies, also known as the Poor Clares, built a cottage for Saint Francis at San Damiano.

Answer: True

Explanation: Saint Clare and other women of her Order of Poor Ladies (Poor Clares) built a small cottage for Saint Francis at San Damiano.

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In what language and dialect was the Canticle of the Sun originally written?

Answer: Italian, specifically an Umbrian dialect

Explanation: The Canticle of the Sun was originally written in an Umbrian dialect of the Italian language.

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What unique historical significance does the Canticle of the Sun hold in Italian literature?

Answer: It is the first work of literature in Italian with a known author.

Explanation: The Canticle of the Sun is considered the first work of literature written in the Italian language for which the author is known.

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Where was the majority of the Canticle of the Sun composed?

Answer: San Damiano, Assisi

Explanation: The majority of the Canticle was composed by Saint Francis at San Damiano, Assisi, while he was recovering from an illness.

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Under what circumstances did Saint Francis compose most of the Canticle?

Answer: While recovering from an illness at San Damiano.

Explanation: Most of the Canticle was composed by Saint Francis while he was recovering from an illness at San Damiano in late 1224.

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Who assisted Saint Francis by building a small cottage for him at San Damiano during his illness?

Answer: Saint Clare and other women of her Order of Poor Ladies

Explanation: Saint Clare and other women of her Order of Poor Ladies built a small cottage for Saint Francis at San Damiano.

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According to tradition, when was the Canticle of the Sun first sung in its entirety?

Answer: On Saint Francis's deathbed with two companions.

Explanation: According to tradition, the Canticle of the Sun was first sung in its entirety by Saint Francis and two companions on his deathbed.

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What physical challenge did Saint Francis face during the composition of the Canticle?

Answer: Blindness due to an eye disease.

Explanation: Saint Francis suffered from blindness due to an eye disease during the time of composition.

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In what document and year was the Canticle of the Sun first historically referenced?

Answer: The *Vita Prima* in 1228.

Explanation: The Canticle of the Sun is first historically referenced in the *Vita Prima*, a biography of Saint Francis written by Thomas of Celano in 1228.

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Who were Brothers Angelo and Leo in relation to Saint Francis?

Answer: Two of his original companions.

Explanation: Brothers Angelo and Leo were two of Saint Francis's original companions, present with him on his deathbed.

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Theological and Poetic Elements

Saint Francis's personal theology, as reflected in the Canticle, encouraged the accumulation of material wealth to support the poor.

Answer: False

Explanation: Saint Francis's personal theology, as affirmed in the Canticle, involved rejecting material accumulation and sensual comforts in favor of 'Lady Poverty'.

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Father Eric Doyle suggested that Saint Francis's physical blindness hindered his ability to perceive the unity of creation.

Answer: False

Explanation: Father Eric Doyle stated that despite physical blindness, Saint Francis 'was able to see more clearly than ever with the inner eye of his mind,' perceiving the unity of creation.

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The Canticle begins by stating that humans are worthy to mention God's name due to their devotion.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Canticle begins by declaring that 'no man is worthy to mention Your name,' emphasizing God's supreme majesty.

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In the Canticle, 'Sir Brother Sun' is described as bearing the likeness of 'The Highest' and bringing the day.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Canticle praises 'Sir Brother Sun' as bringing the day and bearing the likeness of 'The Highest'.

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The Canticle praises 'Sister Moon and the stars' for their practical utility in navigation, rather than their beauty.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Canticle praises 'Sister Moon and the stars' for being 'clear and precious and beautiful,' emphasizing their aesthetic and divine origin.

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The Canticle expresses gratitude for 'Brother Wind' and all weather conditions because they provide sustenance to God's creatures.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Canticle expresses gratitude for 'Brother Wind' and 'every kind of weather' because through them, God provides sustenance to His creatures.

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In the Canticle, 'Sister Water' is described as useful, humble, precious, and powerful.

Answer: False

Explanation: In the Canticle, 'Sister Water' is described as useful, humble, precious, and chaste, not powerful.

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'Brother Fire' is praised in the Canticle for its destructive power and ability to cleanse.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Canticle praises 'Brother Fire' for its beauty, playfulness, robustness, and strength, and for lighting the night, not for destructive power or cleansing.

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'Sister Mother Earth' is honored in the Canticle for sustaining and governing humanity, and for producing varied fruits and flowers.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Canticle honors 'Sister Mother Earth' as the one who sustains and governs us, producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.

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The Canticle only praises natural elements and does not extend praise to human actions or endurance.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Canticle extends praise to 'those who give pardon for Your love, and bear infirmity and tribulation,' acknowledging human actions and endurance.

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The Canticle promises that those who endure in peace for God's love will receive material wealth.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Canticle promises that those who endure in peace for God's love 'shall be crowned by The Highest,' signifying a divine, not material, reward.

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The Canticle states that 'Sister Bodily Death' is an inescapable fate for all humans, but distinguishes between spiritual outcomes based on one's will.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Canticle addresses 'Sister Bodily Death' as inescapable, but differentiates between 'Woe to those who die in mortal sin' and 'Blessed are those who will find Your most holy will'.

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The Canticle concludes with an exhortation to praise, bless, thank, and serve the Lord with great humility.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Canticle concludes with an exhortation to 'Praise and bless my Lord, and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility'.

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The Canticle attributes the sun's role in providing light to humanity as a direct action of 'Sir Brother Sun' without divine intervention.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Canticle states that God gives light 'through' 'Sir Brother Sun,' indicating divine intervention in the sun's role.

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The Canticle describes the moon and stars as 'clear and precious and beautiful,' formed in heaven by God.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Canticle describes 'Sister Moon and the stars' as formed in heaven by God to be 'clear and precious and beautiful'.

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The attribute 'chaste' for 'Sister Water' in the Canticle primarily refers to its physical coldness.

Answer: False

Explanation: The attribute 'chaste' for 'Sister Water' signifies its purity and cleansing properties, not its physical coldness.

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According to the Canticle, 'Brother Fire' serves humanity at night by providing warmth and illumination.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Canticle states that 'Brother Fire' serves humanity by lighting the night, providing illumination and warmth.

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The Canticle mentions that 'Sister Mother Earth' produces only grains and essential crops.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Canticle mentions that 'Sister Mother Earth' produces 'varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs,' indicating a diversity beyond just grains and essential crops.

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Those who pardon for God's love are described in the Canticle as enduring 'infirmity and tribulation,' meaning sickness and suffering.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Canticle describes 'infirmity and tribulation' as sickness, weakness, and severe distress or suffering, which those who pardon for God's love endure.

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The Canticle states that those who die in mortal sin will experience no negative spiritual consequences.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Canticle states 'Woe to those who die in mortal sin' and that 'the second death shall do them harm,' indicating negative spiritual consequences.

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The positive outcome for those who find God's most holy will at death is freedom from eternal suffering.

Answer: True

Explanation: For those who find God's most holy will at death, the Canticle states they are 'Blessed' and 'the second death shall do them no harm,' implying freedom from eternal suffering.

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The overall tone of the Canticle of the Sun is one of lament and sorrow for human failings.

Answer: False

Explanation: The overall tone of the Canticle of the Sun is one of profound praise, gratitude, and humility towards God and His creation.

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Saint Francis's personal theology, as reflected in the Canticle, emphasized which of the following?

Answer: A deep spiritual connection between humanity and the natural world.

Explanation: Saint Francis's personal theology, as reflected in the Canticle, emphasized a deep spiritual connection between humanity and the natural world, referring to animals as 'brothers and sisters'.

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Who wrote that Saint Francis 'was able to see more clearly than ever with the inner eye of his mind' despite his physical blindness?

Answer: Father Eric Doyle

Explanation: Father Eric Doyle wrote that Saint Francis 'was able to see more clearly than ever with the inner eye of his mind' despite his physical blindness.

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How does the Canticle begin its praise to God?

Answer: By declaring that 'no man is worthy to mention Your name.'

Explanation: The Canticle begins by declaring that 'no man is worthy to mention Your name,' emphasizing God's supreme majesty.

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What qualities are attributed to 'Sir Brother Sun' in the Canticle?

Answer: Beautiful and radiant, bearing the likeness of 'The Highest'.

Explanation: The Canticle describes 'Sir Brother Sun' as 'beautiful and radiant in all his splendour,' bearing the likeness of 'The Highest'.

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How are 'Sister Moon and the stars' described in the Canticle?

Answer: As formed in heaven to be 'clear and precious and beautiful.'

Explanation: The Canticle describes 'Sister Moon and the stars' as formed in heaven by God to be 'clear and precious and beautiful'.

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According to the Canticle, what is the purpose of 'Brother Wind' and 'every kind of weather'?

Answer: To provide sustenance to God's creatures.

Explanation: The Canticle states that 'Brother Wind' and 'every kind of weather' provide sustenance to God's creatures.

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Which of the following is NOT one of the four characteristics used to describe 'Sister Water' in the Canticle?

Answer: Powerful

Explanation: The Canticle describes 'Sister Water' as useful, humble, precious, and chaste, but not powerful.

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What qualities does the Canticle attribute to 'Brother Fire'?

Answer: Beautiful, playful, robust, and strong.

Explanation: The Canticle describes 'Brother Fire' as 'beautiful and playful and robust and strong'.

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How is 'Sister Mother Earth' honored in the Canticle?

Answer: As the one who sustains and governs us, producing varied fruits and flowers.

Explanation: The Canticle honors 'Sister Mother Earth' as the one who sustains and governs us, producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.

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Beyond natural elements, whom does the Canticle praise for their actions?

Answer: Those who give pardon for God's love and bear infirmity and tribulation.

Explanation: The Canticle praises 'those who give pardon for Your love, and bear infirmity and tribulation'.

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What blessing is promised in the Canticle to those who endure in peace for God's love?

Answer: They shall be crowned by The Highest.

Explanation: The Canticle promises that those who endure in peace for God's love 'shall be crowned by The Highest'.

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What is the implication for those who die in mortal sin, according to the Canticle?

Answer: They will face 'Woe' and 'the second death shall do them harm.'

Explanation: The Canticle states 'Woe to those who die in mortal sin' and that 'the second death shall do them harm'.

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What is the final exhortation given in the Canticle regarding interaction with the Lord?

Answer: To praise, bless, thank, and serve Him with great humility.

Explanation: The Canticle concludes with an exhortation to 'Praise and bless my Lord, and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility'.

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What specific role is attributed to 'Sir Brother Sun' in providing light to humanity?

Answer: He brings the day, and God gives light through him.

Explanation: The Canticle states that 'Sir Brother Sun' 'brings the day; and you give light through him,' indicating divine agency in providing light.

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What is the significance of the attribute 'chaste' for 'Sister Water' in the Canticle?

Answer: It signifies its purity and cleansing properties.

Explanation: The attribute 'chaste' for 'Sister Water' signifies its purity and cleansing properties.

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What are the specific products of 'Sister Mother Earth' mentioned in the Canticle?

Answer: Varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.

Explanation: The Canticle mentions that 'Sister Mother Earth' produces 'varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs'.

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According to the Canticle, what kind of suffering do those who pardon for God's love endure?

Answer: Infirmity and tribulation.

Explanation: Those who pardon for God's love are described as enduring 'infirmity and tribulation,' meaning sickness and suffering.

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What is the positive outcome for those who find God's most holy will at the time of death?

Answer: They are 'Blessed' and 'the second death shall do them no harm.'

Explanation: For those who find God's most holy will at the time of death, the Canticle states they are 'Blessed' and 'the second death shall do them no harm'.

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What is the overall tone of the Canticle of the Sun?

Answer: Profound praise, gratitude, and humility.

Explanation: The overall tone of the Canticle of the Sun is one of profound praise, gratitude, and humility towards God and His creation.

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Linguistic Nuances

In the Umbrian dialect of the Canticle, what does 'ka' mean?

Answer: Because

Explanation: In the Umbrian dialect of the Canticle, 'ka' means 'perché,' which translates to 'because'.

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What does the Umbrian dialect note indicate about the letters 'u' and 'v' in the original text?

Answer: They were both written as 'u'.

Explanation: The Umbrian dialect note clarifies that in the original text, the letters 'u' and 'v' were both written as 'u'.

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Enduring Influence and Artistic Renditions

Ludwig van Beethoven composed several musical interpretations of the Canticle of the Sun.

Answer: False

Explanation: Franz Liszt, not Ludwig van Beethoven, composed several musical interpretations of the Canticle of the Sun.

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Franz Liszt's 'Cantico del sol di Francesco d'Assisi' was developed for solo piano, organ, and orchestra between 1862 and 1882.

Answer: True

Explanation: Franz Liszt developed versions of his 'Cantico del sol di Francesco d'Assisi' for solo piano, organ, and orchestra between 1862 and 1882.

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The popular hymn 'All Creatures of Our God and King' was written by Saint Francis himself.

Answer: False

Explanation: The popular hymn 'All Creatures of Our God and King' is a paraphrase of Saint Francis's song, written by William H. Draper.

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William H. Draper's hymn paraphrase was set to a 19th-century American folk tune.

Answer: False

Explanation: William H. Draper's hymn paraphrase was set to the 17th-century German hymn tune 'Lasst uns erfreuen'.

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American poet Robert Lax titled his 1959 poem 'The Circus of the Sun' as a direct homage to the Canticle.

Answer: True

Explanation: American poet Robert Lax titled his 1959 poem 'The Circus of the Sun' as a direct tribute to The Canticle of the Sun.

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Which renowned composer created multiple musical interpretations of the Canticle of the Sun, titled 'Cantico del sol di Francesco d'Assisi'?

Answer: Franz Liszt

Explanation: Franz Liszt composed several musical interpretations of the Canticle of the Sun, titled 'Cantico del sol di Francesco d'Assisi'.

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Over what period did Franz Liszt develop his instrumental arrangements for 'Cantico del sol di Francesco d'Assisi'?

Answer: 1862-1882

Explanation: Franz Liszt developed his instrumental arrangements for 'Cantico del sol di Francesco d'Assisi' between 1862 and 1882.

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Who authored the popular hymn 'All Creatures of Our God and King' as a paraphrase of Saint Francis's song?

Answer: William H. Draper

Explanation: William H. Draper authored the popular hymn 'All Creatures of Our God and King' as a paraphrase of Saint Francis's song.

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What is the origin of the melody used for William H. Draper's hymn 'All Creatures of Our God and King'?

Answer: A 17th-century German hymn tune 'Lasst uns erfreuen'.

Explanation: William H. Draper's hymn paraphrase was set to the 17th-century German hymn tune 'Lasst uns erfreuen'.

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Which American poet titled his 1959 work 'The Circus of the Sun' as a homage to the Canticle?

Answer: Robert Lax

Explanation: American poet Robert Lax titled his 1959 poem 'The Circus of the Sun' as a direct homage to the Canticle.

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