Shakespeare Birthday Quiz

1. Who did Shakespeare marry?

Anne Hathaway

Anne Boleyn

Anne Herald

Anne Simone

Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. This is a well-known fact in history. Anne Hathaway was the daughter of a wealthy farmer and she married Shakespeare at the age of 26, while he was only 18. They had three children together and remained married until Shakespeare's death.

Explanation

Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. This is a well-known fact in history. Anne Hathaway was the daughter of a wealthy farmer and she married Shakespeare at the age of 26, while he was only 18. They had three children together and remained married until Shakespeare's death.

2. Which of Shakespeare's plays contains the most words:

Richard III

Hamlet

The Tempest

Macbeth

Hamlet contains the most words among Shakespeare's plays. This tragedy is known for its lengthy soliloquies and complex dialogue, contributing to its overall word count. The play explores themes of revenge, madness, and mortality, and the extensive use of language enhances the depth and complexity of the characters and their motivations. Hamlet's introspective nature and philosophical musings also contribute to the play's wordiness, making it the longest of Shakespeare's works.

Explanation

Hamlet contains the most words among Shakespeare's plays. This tragedy is known for its lengthy soliloquies and complex dialogue, contributing to its overall word count. The play explores themes of revenge, madness, and mortality, and the extensive use of language enhances the depth and complexity of the characters and their motivations. Hamlet's introspective nature and philosophical musings also contribute to the play's wordiness, making it the longest of Shakespeare's works.

3. In the 2008 RSC production of Hamlet, who played Hamlet?

Jonathan Slinger

David Tennant

Toby Stephens

Kenneth Branagh

David Tennant played Hamlet in the 2008 RSC production of Hamlet.

Explanation

David Tennant played Hamlet in the 2008 RSC production of Hamlet.

4. The line 'There is a tide in the affairs of men' comes from which play?

As You Like It

Hamlet

Julius Caesar

Othello

The line "There is a tide in the affairs of men" is from the play Julius Caesar. This line is spoken by Brutus in Act IV, Scene 3, and it reflects the idea that there are opportune moments in life that must be seized in order to achieve success. The line emphasizes the importance of timing and decision-making in one's life.

Explanation

The line "There is a tide in the affairs of men" is from the play Julius Caesar. This line is spoken by Brutus in Act IV, Scene 3, and it reflects the idea that there are opportune moments in life that must be seized in order to achieve success. The line emphasizes the importance of timing and decision-making in one's life.

5. What word did Shakespeare not invent?

Hobnob

Gossip

Swagger

Domain

While Shakespeare is known for coining many new words and phrases, the word "domain" was not one of them. "Domain" has roots in Old French and Latin, predating Shakespeare's time. It refers to a territory or area of control.

Explanation

While Shakespeare is known for coining many new words and phrases, the word "domain" was not one of them. "Domain" has roots in Old French and Latin, predating Shakespeare's time. It refers to a territory or area of control.

6. Which of these phrases appears on Shakespeare's grave?

‘Speak me fair in death’

‘Tired with all these, for stressful death I cry’

‘Curst be he that moves my bones’

'All must come to dust'

The phrase "Curst be he that moves my bones" appears on Shakespeare's grave. This phrase is a curse that warns against disturbing his remains. It reflects Shakespeare's desire to rest undisturbed even after death.

Explanation

The phrase "Curst be he that moves my bones" appears on Shakespeare's grave. This phrase is a curse that warns against disturbing his remains. It reflects Shakespeare's desire to rest undisturbed even after death.

7. Which of these is not an ingredient used in the witches brew in Macbeth?

Fillet of a fenny snake

Finger of a fool

Root of hemlock

Tooth of wolf

The witches brew in Macbeth is a concoction made up of various grotesque and supernatural ingredients. While all the other options - fillet of a fenny snake, root of hemlock, and tooth of wolf - are mentioned in the play as ingredients used in the witches brew, there is no mention of a "finger of a fool" being used. Therefore, "finger of a fool" is not an ingredient used in the witches brew in Macbeth.

Explanation

The witches brew in Macbeth is a concoction made up of various grotesque and supernatural ingredients. While all the other options - fillet of a fenny snake, root of hemlock, and tooth of wolf - are mentioned in the play as ingredients used in the witches brew, there is no mention of a "finger of a fool" being used. Therefore, "finger of a fool" is not an ingredient used in the witches brew in Macbeth.

8. Who else was born on the 23rd April (Shakespeare's birthday)?

Shirley Temple

Gregory Doran

Harry Styles

Queen Victoria

Shirley Temple was born on the 23rd of April, the same day as Shakespeare's birthday. This suggests that she shares a birthday with the famous playwright.

Explanation

Shirley Temple was born on the 23rd of April, the same day as Shakespeare's birthday. This suggests that she shares a birthday with the famous playwright.

9. Who originally designed the old Royal Shakespeare Theatre?

Elisabeth Scott

Richard Burbage

James Burbage

Inigo Jones

Elisabeth Scott is the correct answer because she was the architect who originally designed the old Royal Shakespeare Theatre. She won an international competition in 1928 to design the new theatre, which was completed in 1932. Her design was innovative and incorporated elements of both classical and modern architecture, making it a significant landmark in British theatre history.

Explanation

Elisabeth Scott is the correct answer because she was the architect who originally designed the old Royal Shakespeare Theatre. She won an international competition in 1928 to design the new theatre, which was completed in 1932. Her design was innovative and incorporated elements of both classical and modern architecture, making it a significant landmark in British theatre history.

10. Who or what is the smallest role in all of Shakespeare's plays?

Mustardseed from A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Nestor from Troilus and Cressida

Pacorus from Antony and Cleopatra

Goneril from King Lear

Pacorus from Antony and Cleopatra is the smallest role in all of Shakespeare's plays because he only appears in one scene and has very few lines. In contrast, Mustardseed from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Nestor from Troilus and Cressida, and Goneril from King Lear have more significant roles and appear in multiple scenes, with Goneril being a major character in King Lear. Therefore, Pacorus has the smallest role among the given options.

Explanation

Pacorus from Antony and Cleopatra is the smallest role in all of Shakespeare's plays because he only appears in one scene and has very few lines. In contrast, Mustardseed from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Nestor from Troilus and Cressida, and Goneril from King Lear have more significant roles and appear in multiple scenes, with Goneril being a major character in King Lear. Therefore, Pacorus has the smallest role among the given options.