History Of William Shakespeare

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History Of William Shakespeare - Quiz

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Questions and Answers
  • 1. 

    Which city is the birthplace of William Shakespeare?

    • A.

      Dumfries

    • B.

      Stratford

    • C.

      St Helier

    • D.

      Londonderry

    Correct Answer
    B. Stratford
    Explanation
    Stratford is the birthplace of William Shakespeare. This is a well-known fact in history and literature. William Shakespeare, one of the most famous playwrights and poets in the world, was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in 1564. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and his works, such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth, are still celebrated and performed today. Stratford-upon-Avon is also home to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and attracts many visitors who are interested in learning about Shakespeare's life and works.

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  • 2. 

    In which Shakespearean play is Falstaff's death reported?

    • A.

      Merry Wives Of Windsor

    • B.

      Romeo And Juliet

    • C.

      Othello

    • D.

      Henry V

    Correct Answer
    D. Henry V
    Explanation
    In Shakespeare's play Henry V, Falstaff's death is reported. Falstaff is a beloved character from Shakespeare's earlier plays, particularly the Henry IV plays, but he does not appear in Henry V. Instead, his death is mentioned by other characters, highlighting the passing of an important comedic figure and the shift in tone from the earlier plays to the more serious events of Henry V.

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  • 3. 

    Why does Richard II voluntarily give up his crown to Henry Bollingbroke?

    • A.

      He Knows That Henry Shouldn't Have Been Banished In The First Place

    • B.

      He Knows That Henry Should Have Kept His Father's Goods

    • C.

      He Knows Henry Is The Rightful Heir To The Throne

    • D.

      He Knows He Lacks The Military Power To Force Henry To Leave The Country

    Correct Answer
    D. He Knows He Lacks The Military Power To Force Henry To Leave The Country
    Explanation
    Richard II voluntarily gives up his crown to Henry Bollingbroke because he knows that he lacks the military power to force Henry to leave the country. This suggests that Richard is aware of his own vulnerability and realizes that he cannot hold onto power against Henry's forces. By relinquishing the crown, Richard hopes to avoid further conflict and potentially save his own life.

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  • 4. 

    I was a rival of William Shakespeare who was born on the same day he was, who am I?

    • A.

      Robert Greene

    • B.

      William Wycherly

    • C.

      Ben Johnson

    • D.

      Christopher Marlowe

    Correct Answer
    D. Christopher Marlowe
    Explanation
    Christopher Marlowe was a rival of William Shakespeare and was born on the same day as him. Marlowe was a renowned playwright and poet during the Elizabethan era, known for his works such as "Doctor Faustus" and "Tamburlaine the Great". He is often considered one of the greatest playwrights of his time, alongside Shakespeare. Marlowe's untimely death at the age of 29 in a tavern brawl has added to his mystique and has fueled speculation about his potential influence on Shakespeare's works.

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  • 5. 

    Which Shakespeare clown is the most musical?

    • A.

      Touchstone

    • B.

      Feste

    • C.

      Lear's Fool

    • D.

      Elbow

    Correct Answer
    B. Feste
    Explanation
    Feste is the most musical Shakespeare clown because he is a professional jester and musician in the play "Twelfth Night." He sings songs and plays instruments throughout the play, showcasing his musical talent. Feste's musical abilities add an entertaining and lively element to the play, making him the most musical clown among the options given.

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  • 6. 

    In Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing", the comic style used most by Dogberry is known as what?

    • A.

      Pratfall

    • B.

      Double Entendre

    • C.

      Slapstick

    • D.

      Malaprop

    Correct Answer
    D. Malaprop
    Explanation
    In Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing," Dogberry often uses malapropism, a comic style where he unintentionally substitutes words with similar-sounding but incorrect ones, leading to humorous misunderstandings. This is evident in his famous line, "Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two auspicious persons." Instead of apprehended, he mistakenly uses comprehended, creating a comedic effect. This style of humor adds to the overall comedic tone of the play.

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  • 7. 

    In Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet", Juliet's parents want her to marry which suitor?

    • A.

      Paris

    • B.

      Mercutio

    • C.

      Tybalt

    • D.

      Romeo

    Correct Answer
    A. Paris
    Explanation
    In Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet," Juliet's parents want her to marry Paris. This is evident throughout the play as Lord Capulet arranges Juliet's marriage to Paris without her consent. Juliet's parents see Paris as a suitable match for their daughter due to his noble lineage and wealth. However, Juliet is in love with Romeo, which leads to a series of tragic events in the play.

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  • 8. 

    The "Merchant of Venice" has a strong resemblance to what work by Christopher Marlowe?

    • A.

      The Jew Of Malta

    • B.

      The Merchant Of Malta

    • C.

      The Venician Jew

    • D.

      The Jew Of Venice

    Correct Answer
    A. The Jew Of Malta
    Explanation
    "The Merchant of Venice" has a strong resemblance to "The Jew of Malta" by Christopher Marlowe. Both plays explore themes of prejudice, greed, and revenge, with a central focus on a Jewish character who faces discrimination and mistreatment. Additionally, both plays feature complex and morally ambiguous characters, as well as intricate plots that involve deception and manipulation. The similarities in themes and characterization suggest that "The Merchant of Venice" may have been influenced by or inspired by "The Jew of Malta".

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  • 9. 

    What was the famous playwright Shakespeare's first name?

    • A.

      William

    • B.

      Sandy

    • C.

      Sebastian

    • D.

      Van

    Correct Answer
    A. William
    Explanation
    The famous playwright Shakespeare's first name was William. Shakespeare is widely known by his first name, and he is considered one of the greatest writers in the English language. His works, such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth, are still performed and studied today. William Shakespeare's contributions to literature and theater are significant and have had a lasting impact on the arts.

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  • 10. 

    In what town was William Shakespeare born?

    • A.

      Stratford-Upon-Leeds

    • B.

      Stratford-Upon-Avon

    • C.

      London

    • D.

      Leeds

    Correct Answer
    B. Stratford-Upon-Avon
    Explanation
    William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-Upon-Avon. This is a well-known fact and is widely accepted by historians and scholars. Stratford-Upon-Avon is a town in Warwickshire, England, and it is the birthplace of Shakespeare. He was baptized on April 26, 1564, in the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-Upon-Avon, further confirming his connection to this town.

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  • 11. 

    Which couple is not the title of a Shakespeare play?

    • A.

      Caesar And Cleopatra

    • B.

      Romeo And Juliet

    • C.

      Troilus And Cressida

    • D.

      Anthony And Cleopatra

    Correct Answer
    A. Caesar And Cleopatra
    Explanation
    Caesar And Cleopatra is not the title of a Shakespeare play. Shakespeare wrote a play titled "Antony and Cleopatra," which is about the love affair between the Roman general Mark Antony and the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. However, there is no play by Shakespeare titled "Caesar And Cleopatra."

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  • 12. 

    Which one of these plays by William Shakespeare does not fall in the tragedy category?

    • A.

      King Lear

    • B.

      Hamlet

    • C.

      Macbeth

    • D.

      King John

    Correct Answer
    D. King John
    Explanation
    King John does not fall in the tragedy category because it is classified as a history play. While it does contain elements of conflict and political intrigue, it does not have the same tragic downfall of the main character that is characteristic of Shakespeare's tragedies. Instead, King John focuses on the historical events and struggles for power during his reign as King of England.

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  • 13. 

    Shakespeare wrote that what flower "by any other name would smell as sweet"?

    • A.

      The Flower With A Black Dot In The Middle

    • B.

      The Flower With A Thorny Stem

    • C.

      The Flower Associated With Holland

    • D.

      The Flower Used In Hawaiian Leis

    Correct Answer
    B. The Flower With A Thorny Stem
    Explanation
    Shakespeare wrote in his play Romeo and Juliet that "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." This famous quote means that the name of something does not affect its true nature or characteristics. In this context, the flower with a thorny stem is being referred to as an example of something that would still have its inherent qualities, such as its fragrance, regardless of what it is called.

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  • 14. 

    Which 1948 Cole Porter musical is based on Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew"?

    • A.

      Anything Goes

    • B.

      Fifty Million Frenchmen

    • C.

      The Gay Divorcee

    • D.

      Kiss Me, Kate

    Correct Answer
    D. Kiss Me, Kate
    Explanation
    Kiss Me, Kate is the correct answer because it is a 1948 Cole Porter musical that is based on Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew". The musical tells the story of a theater company putting on a production of "The Taming of the Shrew" and the backstage drama that ensues between the leading actors, who are also former spouses. The show features memorable songs such as "Another Op'nin', Another Show" and "Brush Up Your Shakespeare".

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  • 15. 

    Shakespeare uses what figure of speech in the title "All the World's a Stage"?

    • A.

      Alliteration

    • B.

      Simile

    • C.

      Metaphor

    • D.

      Personification

    Correct Answer
    C. Metaphor
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "Metaphor." In the title "All the World's a Stage," Shakespeare compares the world to a stage, suggesting that life is like a play where everyone has their roles to play. This comparison creates a vivid image in the reader's mind and helps convey the idea that life is a performance or a show.

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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • May 18, 2015
    Quiz Created by
    Cambronbill3
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