World Book Quiz - Shakespeare's Plays (Student/Advanced)

1. What magical beings interfere with the love lives of humans in A Midsummer Night's Dream?

Fairies

Leprechauns

Ghosts

Oberon, king of the fairies, orders the mischievous elf Puck to anoint Demetrius' eyes with magic drops that will make him love Helena. However, Puck mistakenly anoints Lysander's eyes, creating much comic confusion.

Explanation

Oberon, king of the fairies, orders the mischievous elf Puck to anoint Demetrius' eyes with magic drops that will make him love Helena. However, Puck mistakenly anoints Lysander's eyes, creating much comic confusion.

2. What is the name of the daughter that King Lear disinherits because she refuses to flatter him?

Goneril

Regan

Cordelia

Lear becomes angry when Cordelia, his youngest daughter, refuses to flatter him to gain her portion of the kingdom. He rashly disinherits her and divides her share between her sisters.

Explanation

Lear becomes angry when Cordelia, his youngest daughter, refuses to flatter him to gain her portion of the kingdom. He rashly disinherits her and divides her share between her sisters.

3. What is the name of the castle in Hamlet?

Elsinore

Dilston

Longford

Hamlet is one of the most psychologically powerful dramas ever written. It is set in the castle of Elsinore.

Explanation

Hamlet is one of the most psychologically powerful dramas ever written. It is set in the castle of Elsinore.

4. In The Taming of the Shrew, who wins the bet at the end made over which wife is the most obiedent?

Petruchio

Lucentio

Hortensio

At the feast that ends the play, Petruchio wagers with the other two bridegrooms as to whose wife is the most obedient. A docile, submissive Katherine wins the bet for him. At this point, Petruchio reveals himself to be a true gentleman genuinely in love with Katherine

Explanation

At the feast that ends the play, Petruchio wagers with the other two bridegrooms as to whose wife is the most obedient. A docile, submissive Katherine wins the bet for him. At this point, Petruchio reveals himself to be a true gentleman genuinely in love with Katherine

5. In Romeo and Juliet, who does Juliet's father try to get her to marry?

Paris

Tybalt

Mercutio

Juliet’s father, unaware that Juliet is already married, tries to force her to marry a kinsman named Paris.

Explanation

Juliet’s father, unaware that Juliet is already married, tries to force her to marry a kinsman named Paris.

6. What is the full title of the play, Othello?

Othello, the Moor of Rome

Othello, the Moor of Venice

Othello, the Moor of Denmark

Othello is the name of a five-act tragedy by the great English dramatist William Shakespeare. Its full title is Othello, the Moor of Venice.

Explanation

Othello is the name of a five-act tragedy by the great English dramatist William Shakespeare. Its full title is Othello, the Moor of Venice.

7. The ghost of ______ haunts Macbeth.

Macduff

Malcolm

Banquo

Macbeth's men kill Banquo, but Fleance escapes. Haunted by Banquo's ghost, Macbeth seeks counsel from the witches.

Explanation

Macbeth's men kill Banquo, but Fleance escapes. Haunted by Banquo's ghost, Macbeth seeks counsel from the witches.

8. Which European country did Shakespeare NOT have as one of the settings of his plays?

Germany

Scotland

Austria

Macbeth took place in Scotland, while Measure for Measure took place in Austria.

Explanation

Macbeth took place in Scotland, while Measure for Measure took place in Austria.

9. Why was Pericles left out of early collections of Shakespeare's works?

It wasn't accepted as authentic Shakespeare.

It wasn't found until much later.

It wasn't in English.

The play was left out of the early collected editions of Shakespeare's works and was not accepted as an authentic play by Shakespeare until 1664, nearly 50 years after the playwright's death.
Shakespeare was probably not the sole author of the play. Scholars disagree over how much of it he actually wrote.

Explanation

The play was left out of the early collected editions of Shakespeare's works and was not accepted as an authentic play by Shakespeare until 1664, nearly 50 years after the playwright's death.
Shakespeare was probably not the sole author of the play. Scholars disagree over how much of it he actually wrote.

10. In Cymbeline, to where does the king exile Posthumous?

Rome

Venice

Naples

Cymbeline is king of Britain. His daughter Imogen secretly marries Posthumous, a poor but honorable young man. The king angrily exiles Posthumous to Rome.

Explanation

Cymbeline is king of Britain. His daughter Imogen secretly marries Posthumous, a poor but honorable young man. The king angrily exiles Posthumous to Rome.