Shakespeare: More Killers and More Victims Quiz

Answer: Tamora

"Why, there they are, both baked in this pie;
Whereof their mother daintily hath fed,
Eating the flesh that she herself hath bred."
("Titus Andronicus", Act V, Scene III)

In Shakespeare's "Titus Andronicus", the final act of revenge is as gruesome as it gets. Driven mad by grief and rage at the atrocities committed against his family, Titus kills Queen Tamora after serving her a pie filled with the flesh of her own sons. This macabre act satisfies Titus' need for revenge in a play renowned for its unrelenting cycle of brutality. The story is a study in the destructive power of vengeance, with each character's quest for retribution leading to their own demise.

Answer: Emilia

"I care not for thy sword; I'll make thee known,
Though I lost twenty lives."
("Othello", Act V, Scene II)

In "Othello", Iago's manipulation leads to a tragic cascade of events. After Othello kills Desdemona, Iago's wife Emilia exposes her husband's deception and condemns his actions. In a cold attempt to silence her, Iago kills Emilia in front of horrified onlookers. This murder marks Iago's final act of treachery and seals his fate as one of Shakespeare's most notorious villains. Emilia's bravery in revealing the truth contrasts sharply with Iago's cruelty, making her death all the more tragic.

Answer: Richard III

"A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!"
("Richard III", Act V, Scene IV)

The battle between Richmond and Richard III is the centrepiece of Shakespeare's final act of "Richard III". In the Battle of Bosworth Field, Richmond kills the tyrannical Richard and ends his reign of terror. Richard's fall represents the triumph of good over evil. The war between the Houses of Lancaster and York ends. Henry VII ascends the throne and establishes the Tudor dynasty. The play is a powerful commentary on the corrupting influence of power and the ultimate downfall of tyrants.

Answer: Saturninus

"Can the son's eye behold his father bleed?
There's meed for meed, death for a deadly deed!"
("Titus Andronicus", Act V, Scene III)

At the end of "Titus Andronicus", Lucius, the last surviving son of Titus, avenges his father by killing the Emperor Saturninus. This act of retribution ends the violent power struggles in Rome, but it also leaves a trail of destruction in its wake. Lucius's rise to power is marked by bloodshed, underlining the theme of revenge that runs through the play. However, his ascent also suggests a glimmer of hope for the restoration of order after chaos.

Answer: Cassius

"Guide thou the sword. Caesar, thou art revenged,
Even with the sword that kill'd thee."
("Julius Caesar", Act V, Scene III)

In "Julius Caesar", Cassius, one of the conspirators against Caesar, meets his end at his own request. Believing that his forces are doomed, Cassius orders his servant Pindarus to kill him with the same sword that killed Caesar. The tragic irony of Cassius's death lies in the misinformation that led him to despair, making his end the result of his own misjudgement. This moment reflects the chaos and confusion that followed Caesar's assassination.

Answer: Edmund

"The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to plague us."
("King Lear", Act V, Scene III)

In "King Lear", the final confrontation between Edgar and his illegitimate brother Edmund is emotionally charged. Edgar, disguised for much of the play, reveals his identity and kills Edmund in a duel. Edmund's death marks the downfall of a character driven by ambition and deceit. Edgar, by contrast, represents loyalty and justice, bringing a sense of moral balance to the play's tragic conclusion. The victory is bittersweet, however, as it comes too late to save many of the play's other characters.

Answer: Coriolanus

"My rage is gone,
And I am struck with sorrow. Take him up."
("Coriolanus", Act V, Scene VI)

In "Coriolanus", the complex relationship between Coriolanus and Aufidius, two bitter rivals, ends in betrayal. After Coriolanus betrays Rome and joins the Volscians, Aufidius turns against him, seeing him as a traitor to all sides. Aufidius kills Coriolanus, a tragic hero whose pride and rigid sense of honour lead to his downfall. The play explores themes of loyalty, pride and the often destructive nature of political and personal conflict.

Answer: Hamlet

"Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet:
Mine and my father's death come not upon thee,
Nor thine on me!"
("Hamlet", Act V, Scene II)

In the final act of "Hamlet", Laertes and Hamlet engage in a deadly duel orchestrated by King Claudius. Laertes, seeking revenge for the death of his father Polonius and sister Ophelia, strikes Hamlet with a poisoned sword. However, the plan backfires and both men are fatally wounded by the same blade. Laertes' death, along with Hamlet's, ends the tragic cycle of revenge in the play and highlights the destructive consequences of vengeance.

Answer: Cloten

"I am down again, but now my sword's out."
("Cymbeline", Act IV, Scene II)

In "Cymbeline", Cloten, a brash and arrogant prince, meets his end at the hands of Guiderius, the son of King Cymbeline. Cloten, in disguise, attempts to pursue and harm Imogen, but Guiderius, defending his sister, beheads Cloten in a swift and decisive battle. This act of self-defence underlines the themes of loyalty and justice that run through the play. Cloten's death serves as a turning point in the story, paving the way for the play's eventual resolution and reconciliation.

Answer: Hotspur

"O Harry, thou hast robb'd me of my youth!"
("Henry IV, Part 1", Act V, Scene IV)

In "Henry IV, Part 1", the battle between Prince Hal and Hotspur is a key moment in the play. Hotspur, a brave and rebellious nobleman, represents the ideals of honour and chivalry. Prince Hal, initially seen as unpredictable and irresponsible, rises to the occasion at the Battle of Shrewsbury and kills Hotspur in single combat. This victory marks Prince Hal's transformation from a reckless youth to a worthy heir to the throne. The battle and its outcome are symbolic of the shifting tides of power and the complex nature of honour in the play.