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Quiz about Another Look at Literary Titles

Another Look at Literary Titles Quiz

Another one of my quizzes that looks at the inspirations for literary titles.

A multiple-choice quiz by robert362. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
robert362

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
87,208

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1265

Last 3 plays: Guest 136 (4/10), griller (10/10), ramses22 (5/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. "De Profundis" is the title that has been given to a long reminiscence (written in prison) by Oscar Wilde. What does the term mean? Hint

Courage

Cursed by Fate

Repentance

From the Depths

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. One of Poe's best poems is "Israfel". From what source does Poe take his inspiration for the poem? Hint

Greek Mythology

The Koran

The Bible

Sumerian Legends

3. Eugene O'Neill's masterpiece, "Long Day's Journey Into Night", is largely autobiographical. The name selected for the O'Neill family in the play is not entirely arbitrary. What is the family name in the play? Hint

Tyrone

Finnegan

O'Casey

O'Hara

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Question 4 of 10

4. George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion" was the inspiration for "My Fair Lady". Shaw took the title from a myth about Pygmalion and what other character? Hint

Arachne

Galatea

Niobe

Demeter

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Question 5 of 10

5. Brendan Behan is the author of the play, "Borstal Boy". To what does "borstal" refer? Hint

A slum section of town

A ne'er-do-well

A person of no manners

A reform school

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Shakespeare authored many poems. The title character of what play bears a striking resemblance to the name of one of Shakespeare's children. Which play? Hint

Othello

Hamlet

Coriolanus

Lear

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Longfellow wrote the poem, "Evangeline and the Acadians". Evangeline was a fictional character, but the expulsion of the Acadians from Canada was real enough. Why were they expelled? Hint

They refused to swear allegiance to the French

They imposed harsh tariffs and economic sanctions on the French

They imposed harsh tariffs and economic sanctions on the British

They refused to swear allegiance to the British

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Arthur Miller wrote "The Crucible". What does the word mean? Hint

Profound sadness

Ordeal

Loss of faith

Early death

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. In "The Hollow Men", T.S. Eliot makes two references at the beginning of the poem. One is a reference to "Mistah Kurtz". Kurtz is a character in a story by what author? Hint

Rudyard Kipling

Robert Louis Stevenson

James Joyce

Joseph Conrad

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. The other reference that Eliot makes in "The Hollow Men" is "a penny for the Old Guy". To what is he referring? Hint

Guy Fawkes Day

Halloween

Easter

New Year's Day

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "De Profundis" is the title that has been given to a long reminiscence (written in prison) by Oscar Wilde. What does the term mean?

Answer: From the Depths

In this case, from the depths of sorrow. It was not a title that was selected by Wilde, but one that was later given to the work.

2. One of Poe's best poems is "Israfel". From what source does Poe take his inspiration for the poem?

Answer: The Koran

The reference is to the angel whose "heart strings are a lute" and makes the "sweetest music of all God's creatures".

Answer: Tyrone

Other Irish O'Neills of prominence included some from several centuries earlier. One of these was also known as the Earl of Tyrone(Tyrone being a part of Ireland). One of these O'Neills was named Sean, but was apparently also known as "Shane the Proud" - Eugene named one of his sons Shane. (I'm not certain of the lineage connection between those O'Neills and the great Eugene).

4. George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion" was the inspiration for "My Fair Lady". Shaw took the title from a myth about Pygmalion and what other character?

Answer: Galatea

An inanimate object is transformed and comes to life - much as the
woman of the play/musical is changed into something more "elegant".

5. Brendan Behan is the author of the play, "Borstal Boy". To what does "borstal" refer?

Answer: A reform school

It was a prison environment for teenage "troublemakers". Behan spent some time in a borstal, providing the fuel for the play that he would later write. He had other run-ins with the law, lived hard, drank hard and died young.

6. Shakespeare authored many poems. The title character of what play bears a striking resemblance to the name of one of Shakespeare's children. Which play?

Answer: Hamlet

Shakespeare had a son named Hamnet. It's easy to say that the boy's death at age 11 (drowning, I believe) may have been the key factor in the selection of "Hamlet" as the name of the main character in this play that is filled with death. (Incidentally, Ophelia drowns in the play.) But, it has been said that there was an earlier play ("Ur-Hamlet") that provided the inspiration for Shakespeare's work. So, who knows?

7. Longfellow wrote the poem, "Evangeline and the Acadians". Evangeline was a fictional character, but the expulsion of the Acadians from Canada was real enough. Why were they expelled?

Answer: They refused to swear allegiance to the British

The British were concerned that the Acadians might side with the French if the troubles between the British and French escalated. So, when the Acadians refused to swear allegiance ...

8. Arthur Miller wrote "The Crucible". What does the word mean?

Answer: Ordeal

"Ordeal" is the best of the choices provided.

9. In "The Hollow Men", T.S. Eliot makes two references at the beginning of the poem. One is a reference to "Mistah Kurtz". Kurtz is a character in a story by what author?

Answer: Joseph Conrad

"Mistah Kurtz - he dead." Kurtz is the key character in "Heart of Darkness". ("The horror! The horror!)

10. The other reference that Eliot makes in "The Hollow Men" is "a penny for the Old Guy". To what is he referring?

Answer: Guy Fawkes Day

On that day, pennies are given with which to buy fireworks in order to celebrate the burning in effigy of the traitor, Fawkes.

Source: Author robert362

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bullymom before going online.
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