All that Glitters...with William Shakespeare Quiz

Answer: The Merchant of Venice

This famous line is from act 2 scene 7 of "The Merchant of Venice." In this scene, the Prince of Morocco, one of many suitors, had to choose which casket of three (one of lead, one of silver, and one of gold) held the picture of the woman he hoped to marry, the beautiful Portia.

He thought that anything less would be insulting, and so he chose the gold casket. Instead of Portia's picture, he found a picture of death. In the eye of death, it was written "All that glisters is not gold; / Often have you heard that told. / Many a man his life hath sold / But my outside to behold. / Gilded tombs do worms enfold." He left, crestfallen.

Answer: The Taming of the Shrew

In act 1 scene 2 of "The Taming of the Shrew", Petruchio had come to Padua to look for a rich woman to marry. There he met his friend Hortensio, who, after learning about his plans, told Petruchio that he knew a woman who was very rich, but had one fault-she was shrewd and intolerable, and he would not marry her for a mine of gold. Petruchio told Hortensio to stop; he would marry an old, ugly, ill-favored woman, if she were very rich. Hortensio wouldn't, because in Petruchio's view, he didn't understand the value of gold.

Answer: Romeo and Juliet

This is an interesting statement made by Romeo in act 5 scene 1. The apothecary had sold Romeo a poison that would make the consumer appear dead for a while. He was at first reluctant to sell Romeo the poison, because it is against the law to do so. He gave in when Romeo told him that he needed the money to buy food. Romeo then commented that it was he, in fact, that gave the real poison, because gold (money), committed more murders in the world than the poisons that were illegal to sell.

Answer: A Midsummer Night's Dream

From act 2 scene 1 one of " A Midsummer Night's Dream" Here, a fairy was describing her fairy queen and her followers to Puck, Oberon's jester.

Answer: A Midsummer Night's Dream

From act 1 scene 1 of " A Midsummer Night's Dream" Here, Hermia vowed to Lysander that she would follow his plan and meet him the next night in the woods outside the town. She continued to express her promise to Lysander using strong figurative language, which reflected her passionate character.

She continued; "By the simplicity of Venus' doves/ By that which knitteth souls and prospers loves/ And by that fire which burn'd the Carthage queen/ When the false Trojan under sail was seen/ By all the vows that ever men have broke/ In number more than ever women spoke/ In that same place thou hast appointed me/ Tomorrow truly will I meet with thee."

Answer: Romeo and Juliet

This line is taken from a short dialogue in act 4 scene 5 between a servant named Peter and 3 musicians. Peter wanted them to play a song, but they didn't feel the time was appropriate (This happened after Juliet's death.) He talked of how music, with its "silver sound" could be comforting in hard times.

He stopped half way through his speech, and wondered why he described music as having a silver sound. One musician suggested it was because silver has a sweet sound, and another said it was because musicians play for silver. Peter settled it by saying that musicians played with a silver sound, because they have no gold to play gold sounding music.

Answer: Hamlet

Horatio said this line regarding Laertes in act 5 scene 2 of the play. Hamlet had just learnt, from Osric the courtier, that he was to duel with Laertes. He questioned Laertes' excellence, but Osric said he was unmatched when it came to duelling.

Answer: The Tempest

In act 4 scene 1 of "The Tempest" Prospero and Ariel had hung some fine garments from a clothesline to catch the thieves who had stolen Prospero's book. When the thieves entered, and touched the garments, a pack of spirits disguised as hounds, set by Ariel and Prospero, drew the thieves out. Ariel and Prospero encouraged the spirits on, saying things like "Silver, there it goes, Silver!" and "Fury, Fury, There, Tyrant, there! hark! hark!"

Answer: Antony and Cleopatra

In act 2 scene 5 of "Antony and Cleopatra" Cleopatra sat with her servants, talking of Antony, who she likened to a fish she had caught. At one point, a messenger came in with news for Cleopatra. At first she was scared that Antony was dead, but when she found he was alive and well, she told the messenger she would shower him in gold and pearls. Just a few minutes later, however, she turned furious when she was informed that Antony had married Octavia.

Answer: Julius Caesar

In act 2 scene 1 of "Julius Caesar" Brutus, Cassius and the other conspirators discussed thier plan to kill Caesar. At one point, it was suggested that Cicero join the group. Metellus, one of the conspirators, thought it would be wise to ask him to join because he was older and wiser, and would give the group a good name and more support.

It was decided, however, that Cicero would not join because he would not listen to anybody else.

Answer: Hamlet

This was from act 2 scene 2 of "Hamlet" a group of players (actors) had come up to Hamlet, and he welcomed them, and complimented them on their performance. He said to one young lady that she was closer to heaven, and compared her voice to a piece of uncurrent gold.

Answer: A Midsummer Night's Dream

This is from act 1 scene 1. It is from beginning of the play, and the duke of Athens, Theseus, was talking with his wife Hippolyta. She told Theseus that after four days and nights, the moon would finally be able to witness their wedding.

Answer: Macbeth

In act 2 scene 7 of "Macbeth", Lady Macbeth and Macbeth discussed the plan to kill Duncan. Macbeth had decided not to go ahead with the plan, because, in addition to admiring and respecting Duncan, he felt he had only recently gained the very valued "Golden" opinions of people, and he didn't want to loose these so soon.

Answer: Romeo and Juliet

This is from act 1 scene 1 of "Romeo and Juliet" Here, Romeo talked sadly to his cousin Benvolio, saying that his love, Rosaline, had sworn herself to a life of chastity. She would not be tempted by love, or even by gold, which Romeo said could even seduce saints.

Answer: Macbeth

This line from "Macbeth", act 2 scene 1, is a perfect example of how Shakespeare used descriptive words to make a point. Here, Macbeth explained to the sons of Duncan how he had entered Duncan's chamber and had found him lying dead. Duncan is supposed to be a good ruler who brought order to Scotland, so, by using the words gold and silver Shakespeare expressed Duncan's worth.

Hope you enjoyed my quiz...and remember, "All the glisters is not gold" :)