An Unkindness of Ravens Trivia Quiz

Answer: Nevermore

"The Raven" was first published in January 1845 in the "Evening Mirror", but the poem was soon widely published in many periodicals and anthologies, which increased the popularity of the poem and its author.

The use of a talking raven was inspired by "Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of 'Eighty" (1841) by Charles Dickens, wherein the title character has a pet raven named Grip.

Answer: Mad Hatter

Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" was first published in 1865.

There was originally no answer to the riddle, but Carroll included one in the preface of the 1896 edition: "Because it can produce a few notes, tho they are very flat; and it is nevar put with the wrong end in front!" However, "nevar" (raven backwards) was usually "corrected" by proofreaders to "never".

Answer: Trigon

Raven first appeared in "DC Comics Presents" #26 (1980). She was also featured in two animated shows about the Teen Titans, "Teen Titans" (2003-2006) and "Teen Titans Go!" (2013-?).

She uses the mantra "Azarath Metrion Zinthos" to focus her powers and control her emotions.

Answer: The Cosby Show

Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman was born on December 10, 1985.

Raven-Symoné was a regular cast member of both "The Cosby Show" from 1989-92 and "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper" (1993-1997), and starred as the main character in "That's So Raven" (2003-2007).

Answer: Elijah

There is some question about the word "ravens" in the story of Elijah. A different translation changes the word to "Arabs". While this less-miraculous idea of Elijah being fed by Arabs instead of ravens may be more acceptable to some, it has no place in a quiz about ravens.

The raven makes another appearance in the bible as the first bird that Noah sent out after the flood. The raven never returned, presumably because as a carrion bird it had plenty to eat.

Answer: Mystique

The first appearance of Mystique was in "Ms. Marvel" #16 (1978).

In the "X-Men" series of films, Mystique was first played by Rebecca Romijn in "X-Men" (2000), "X2" (2003), and "X-Men: The Last Stand" (2006) and then by Jennifer Lawrence in "X-Men: First Class" (2011), "X-Men: Days of Future Past" (2014) and "X-Men: Apocalypse" (scheduled for 2016). Due to the character's shapeshifting abilities, Romijn made an uncredited appearance in "X-Men: First Class".

Answer: Odin

Huginn means "thought" and Muninn means "memory".

In Neil Gaiman's "American Gods" (2001), the main character Shadow Moon asks one of Odin's ravens to say "Nevermore". The raven's reply is not family friendly enough for this website.

Answer: Gothic Horror

"Ravenloft" first saw print in 1983 as module "I6" of TSR's "Dungeons and Dragons" (D&D) role-playing game. It later got additional modules, an entire campaign setting, and even novels and videogames.

In the original module, the main antagonist was vampire Lord Strahd von Zarovich, considered one of the greatest villains in D&D history.

Answer: The Sandman

Matthew Cable first appeared in "Swamp Thing" (vol. 1) #1 (1972). He first appeared as Matthew the Raven in "The Sandman" (vol. 2) #1 (1989).

As Dream, Morpheus had a series of raven companions, starting with Lucien, who eventually became his librarian.

Answer: North American Pacific Northwest

Many creation myths involve Raven: in stories he not only released men into the world, but was responsible for teaching them hunting, fishing, fire, how to build houses, etc.

Curiously, Raven seems to be both hero and antagonist, providing both positive and negative examples of behavior.

Answer: to deliver messages

"A Song of Ice and Fire" (ASoIaF) is a book series that began with "A Game of Thrones", first published in 1996. It was later developed for a television series, "Game of Thrones", which first aired in 2011.

In the world of ASoIaF, the Night's Watch patrol the Wall. Due to their all-black gear, they are sometimes called "crows", but not ravens.

Answer: Cleveland Browns

When Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell wanted to relocate his team to Baltimore, his team got a fresh start as a new team. The records, history, and legacy of the Browns remained in Cleveland, where a new team took over in 1999.

The team name was inspired by the poem "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe, who lived and died in Baltimore.

Answer: United Kingdom

There is a legend that the Tower of London and the Kingdom of England will fall if the six ravens leave the tower. The legend supposedly dates the ravens back to King Charles II, but the earliest recorded proof is from 1883.

There are usually seven ravens at the Tower: the required six plus one spare, in case one escapes, is retired, or is removed for behavioral issues.

Answer: flags

"Raven: A Journal of Vexillology" is an annual publication sponsored by the North American Vexillological Association, first published in 1994.

The term "vexillology" first appeared in an article by Whitney Smith in 1958, entitled "Flags of the Arab World".

Answer: Maleficent

Diaval is played by Sam Riley. After being saved by Maleficent (played by Angelina Jolie), Diaval acts as her servant, sometimes changed into the form of a man or other animal.

In "Sleeping Beauty" (1959), the raven's name is Diablo, and was voiced by Dallas McKennon.