Billy's Most Quotable Quotes Trivia Quiz

Answer: The course of true love never did run smooth

This is Lysander of 'Midsummer Night's Dream', lamenting his girlfriend Hermia's betrothal to Demetrius. However, in a cute little example, he shows that love never really happens easily, and rattles off a lot of reasons why. Then, he says that love usually triumphs despite the setbacks, so no worries! This is from Act 1 Scene 1.

Answer: Good night, sweet prince

Horatio says this quote in 'Hamlet', Act 5 Scene 2. The swordfight between Hamlet and Laertes, ostensibly a friendly fencing contest, becomes a nightmarish bloodbath. Gertrude is first to die, from unknowingly drinking poison, then Claudius dies as Hamlet stabs him (and forces him to drink poison for good measure).

However, it's too late at this point for either Laertes or Hamlet to live, and they follow suit soon after. Horatio, the only main character to live through this, mourns his friend's death with the eulogiac "Good night, sweet prince."

Answer: A plague o' both your houses

'A plague o' both your houses'! Mercutio, the unfortunate character shown here, realizes that the ridiculous Capulet/Montague feud will cause his death. After Romeo refuses to fight Tybalt (because they're now related by marriage, though Tybalt doesn't know that), Mercutio steps in, thinking it's all in fun.

However, Romeo tries to stop the fight, and Mercutio is mortally wounded "under Romeo's arm", so Romeo actually kills his friend instead of protecting him. Mercutio curses both Capulet and Montague with his repeated, "A plague o' both your houses!" as he dies.

This is from Act 3 Scene 1, 'Romeo and Juliet'.

Answer: Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look

This is a quote from the title character in 'Julius Caesar', Act 1 Scene 2. Julius Caesar notices Cassius, an angry, thin man, and immediately expounds upon his dislike for him. Antony, the man to whom Caesar tells this, is the epitome of the happy subordinate (to Caesar) whereas Cassius is a notorious malcontent. Caesar says that Cassius is too easily threatened by people more powerful than him, and always will scheme for more power.

He's right!

Answer: What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun

This is the very beginning of that highly quotable Balcony Scene ('Romeo and Juliet', Act 2 Scene 2). Romeo sees Juliet on the balcony and utters this famous line before Juliet says her own quotables in the "what's in a name" monologue.

Answer: Get thee to a nunnery

Hamlet, after giving his famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy, sees Ophelia, and begins a conversation. Hamlet is clearly acting insane, and repels Ophelia's advances sternly. He then says "Get thee to a nunnery!" which could have one of several meanings - a real nunnery, a bordello(!), or possibly a place where women could bear illegitimate children.

The potential multiple meanings of this line have kept critics on their toes through the centuries. This is 'Hamlet' Act 3 Scene 1.

Answer: All that glisters is not gold

"All that glisters is not gold" is from Act II Scene VII of 'Merchant of Venice', where the Prince of Morocco tries to win Portia's hand. The test is to see if the suitor will choose the lead casket, of the choices of gold, silver, and lead. Morocco chooses gold, a wrong choice.

The shiny outward appearance is not what Portia's father wanted to attract suitors to his daughter (he is the one who set up this odd wooing device), and he wants suitors to realize that there is more to Portia than beauty and riches.

Answer: It was Greek to me

Cicero spoke Greek, and Casca, the character in question, says he didn't understand a word. Yup, this is where the saying comes from! Casca had just witnessed Antony try to give Caesar the crown three times. In this scene, he acts like he was bored to death, even though he actually was paying far more attention than he seemed to have. This comes from 'Julius Caesar', Act 1 Scene 2.

Answer: Double, double, toil and trouble

This quote is said thrice by the three witches in 'Macbeth' during Act Four Scene One, as they create the several apparitions which will give Macbeth some good information, and some misleading information, about his future. Yes, it's "double", not "bubble" as sometimes misquoted.

Answer: To thine own self be true

This is Polonius' speech to Laertes, his son, in Act 1 Scene 3 of 'Hamlet'. Polonius tells Laertes many things, including "to thine own self be true" and "neither a borrower nor a lender be". He follows "to thine own self be true" with the profound "for it then follows as the night the day thou canst not then be false to any man". "Measure twice, cut once" is a popular dad's aphorism, but not from 'Hamlet'!

Answer: Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

This line begins 'Sonnet 18'. It's a line about a man, actually, (The Earl of Southampton) for whom the first several sonnets were commissioned. The sonnet goes on to say "thou art more lovely and more temperate" than summer, and then to say that despite all that Time can do, this exquisite beauty cannot fade, because the sonnet has immortalized it.

Answer: Once more unto the breach

This is the beginning line of Act 3 Scene 1 in 'Henry V', spoken by the title character. It's a very militaristic monologue, where Henry claims that the wartime character of a man should be bolder than his peacetime character.

Answer: A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse

This is from Act 5, Scene 4 of 'Richard III'. Richard, warring against the Earl of Richmond and several of the Earl's allies, fights alone and with a possessed spirit. His horse is killed, and he fights on anyway. He performs superhuman acts, but cannot hold out much longer. He says this quote directly before Richmond enters and kills him in single combat.

Answer: Some men are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them

Malvolio reads this line in a letter from "Olivia" (actually Maria trying successfully to trick him) in 'Twelfth Night'. Malvolio is a very stiff, straight-laced servant who completely loses his mind with love and decides to follow the letter's instructions, which involve him wearing gaudy clothes and acting in an odd manner.

He quotes this line to Olivia again in a later scene when she asks him why he's acting so freaking weird!

Answer: The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers

This quote is from Act 4 Scene 2 of 'Henry VI' Part II, as the rebels plot to come into power by destroying the law and order throughout the nation.

Answer: Out damn spot!

Lady Macbeth says this quote in her sleep in Act V Scene I of 'Macbeth'. In a guilty madness, she starts talking about the figurative blood on her hands, which her diseased mind and soul translate into the literal. She makes motions as if to wash her hands, and makes cryptic statements that the audience knows refer to her guilt in Duncan's death.

Answer: All the world's a stage

The famously melancholy Jaques says this, in Act II Scene VII of 'As You Like It'. This line begins the widely known "Seven Stages" speech which details the seven stages of man's role on the world's stage. The infant, the schoolboy, the lover, the soldier, the justice, old age, and oblivion.

It's a bizarrely all-encompassing tale of human life and predictability. No doubt about it, Jaques is a downer.

Answer: Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow

Yet another quote from 'Romeo and Juliet', the balcony scene (That scene is quite possibly the most quotable single scene in all of Shakespeare's canon). Juliet says this to Romeo as he is leaving. Romeo's departure from the Capulet residence is somewhat prolonged by their mutual distate for separation, and Juliet calls Romeo back at least once while trying to remain in his company.

Answer: Beware the Ides of March

This quote is said by the Soothsayer in Act 1 Scene 2 of 'Julius Caesar'. At the time, it is February, and the Soothsayer tells Caesar to beware March 15 (The Ides referred to the middle day of a month). Caesar dismisses the warning, saying "he is a dreamer".

However, come the next Ides of March, Cassius and his band of conspirators kills Caesar. Caesar is noted, in the play, for ignoring warnings and believing too much in his own ability to defend himself.

Answer: Et tu, Brute?

Julius Caesar (of that very same play!) intones this immortal line (meaning "You too, Brutus?") when he sees that Brutus of all people was in on the plot to kill him. Caesar disliked many of the other conspirators, and wasn't all that surprised. (See "Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look" earlier on the quiz.) However, Caesar didn't expect such a trusted, kind, man as Brutus to want his death too.

At this, Caesar says "Then fall, Caesar!" and dies.

Answer: Something is rotten in the state of Denmark

This is Marcellus, in Act 1 Scene 4 of 'Hamlet'. After Hamlet has just left with the ghost of Old King Hamlet, Horatio and Marcellus debate whether or not to follow. Marcellus is for following, Horatio against. Marcellus says that "something is rotten in the state of Denmark" (astute!), but Horatio favors a laissez-faire approach, saying "heaven will direct it". Eventually, Marcellus wins the argument and they follow Hamlet.

Answer: What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet

This quote is from 'Romeo and Juliet', Act 2 Scene 2 (the balcony scene). Juliet does not yet know that Romeo is there. She muses on his name (hateful to her family, since she's a Capulet and he's a Montegue - feuding families). She realizes that the essence of being a person has nothing to do with your family or social station. ("My only love... my only hate" is what Juliet says the moment she finds out that Romeo is her beloved's name, and it's said at the party. "...killed my cousin" isn't valid becuase Romeo hasn't killed Tybalt yet.

The other quote is from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.)

Answer: Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?

This quote is said by Juliet in 'Romeo and Juliet', Act II Scene II . It is towards the beginning of the classic "balcony scene" (another one!) where Romeo will come to Juliet and they will profess their mutual love. In this question Juliet asks why Romeo is Romeo (a Montague), and not someone who she is allowed to love.

Answer: Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears

This is Marc Antony in 'Julius Caesar', Act 3 Scene 2. Here, Brutus has just convinced the people that killing Caesar was a-okay. Antony, convinced that Caesar's death should be avenged (so he can carry out his own megalomaniacal plans involving vying for control of Rome), rallies the people to his side rather handily in the "friends, Romans, countrymen" speech.

Answer: To be or not to be

Said by Hamlet in Act 3 Scene 1 of 'Hamlet', this quote endures as number one according to many. People who wouldn't know Shakespeare in a million years, who cannot quote a single other line, know this one. It endures because of its universal theme, catchy repetition, and its intrigue. So that brings us to number one! There will be a sequel (quotes 26-50). If you have questions/concerns/disagreements, feel free to send me a funtrivia message! I love debating Shakespeare!