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Quiz about Coriolanus by William Shakespeare

"Coriolanus" by William Shakespeare Quiz

The title "Coriolanus" by Shakespeare is usually one of the last to be remembered when compiling a list of the works by the Bard of Avon. So, how much do you remember or know about the play? Good luck!

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

Author
zippolover

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
364,838

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
211

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. At the opening of the play, there are riots in Rome. Why is this? Hint

Coriolanus has proclaimed himself "Emperor"

They have run out of Christians so are feeding peasants to the lions

The Colosseum has been closed

The grain stores have been closed to the public

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Why does Caius Martius look down on the plebeians (ordinary people)? Hint

Lack of ambitions

Expecting the state to provide all of their needs

Lack of military experience

Sheep like mentality

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which two of the tribunes, who are supposed to represent the ordinary citizens of Rome, plot against Caius Martius? Hint

Brutus and Popeye

Brutus and Sicinius

Sicinius and Sicinia

Tom and Jerry

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Why does Caius Martius leave Rome? Hint

The Admiral of the Fleet demands that he return to his ship

An army from the Volsci tribe is about to attack Rome

His father falls ill and wants his son at his death bed

The rioters attack his home so he retreats to his villa in Tuscany

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. What is different about Caius Martius when he returns to Rome? Hint

He has lost an arm

He is known as Coriolanus

He has lost an eye

He has lost a leg

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Question 6 of 10

6. Who is Volumnia who encourages Caius Martius to attempt to become a Consul? Hint

Priestess

Wife

Mother

Soothsayer

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Question 7 of 10

7. The two tribunes, who had stirred up trouble before, reappeared and Caius Martius failed in his attempt to become Consul. When he left Rome again, where did he go? Hint

His villa in Tuscany

Antium, now known as Anzio

A cruise on the Mediterranean

The gladiator training school

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Caius Martius starts out for Rome at the head of an army intent on seeking revenge for his loss of prestige. Who are sent to try to persuade him to give up, but fail? Hint

Sicinius and Sicinia

Cominius and Menenius

Starsky and Hutch

Caesar and Brutus

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Caius Martius is persuaded to turn away from Rome by whom? Hint

A family delegation

A soothsayer

Troilus and Cressida

Antony and Cleopatra

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Question 10 of 10

10. Caius Martius is alive at the end of the play.

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. At the opening of the play, there are riots in Rome. Why is this?

Answer: The grain stores have been closed to the public

Rome was in disarray following the removal of the most recent ruler. Food was in short supply and the grain stores were closed to the public. The public rioted. They did not want the grain for free, but they did want to set the price.

2. Why does Caius Martius look down on the plebeians (ordinary people)?

Answer: Lack of military experience

Caius Martius was a brilliant army general, but an awful diplomat. He believed that in times of need the army should be first in line for resources.

3. Which two of the tribunes, who are supposed to represent the ordinary citizens of Rome, plot against Caius Martius?

Answer: Brutus and Sicinius

Tribunes were the elected representatives of the plebeians. Brutus and Sicinius thought that the attitude of Caius Martius toward the electorate would in turn undermine their own positions.

4. Why does Caius Martius leave Rome?

Answer: An army from the Volsci tribe is about to attack Rome

The Volsci tribe were from a nearby state and were in a constant state of war with Rome. They had fought several times and it is where Caius Martius had gained his reputation as a brilliant army general.

5. What is different about Caius Martius when he returns to Rome?

Answer: He is known as Coriolanus

As second in command of the army, Caius Martius took the fight to the Volsci city of Corioles. After some time he held the city under siege and eventually captured it. As a tribute to his heroic deeds in battle, he was given an agnomen or official nickname, by the commander of the army.

6. Who is Volumnia who encourages Caius Martius to attempt to become a Consul?

Answer: Mother

To become a Consul the approval of the senate was needed. After that the plebeians, who Caius Martius looked down upon, got their say too. The senate was no problem, but the plebeians changed their minds once the elections were under way and after a campaign by the tribunes.

7. The two tribunes, who had stirred up trouble before, reappeared and Caius Martius failed in his attempt to become Consul. When he left Rome again, where did he go?

Answer: Antium, now known as Anzio

Antium was the prominent coastal city of the Volsci tribe. He went to their leader and offered to allow them to kill him unopposed. Instead they listened to his sorry tale and agreed to return to Rome with Caius Martius at the head of the army.

8. Caius Martius starts out for Rome at the head of an army intent on seeking revenge for his loss of prestige. Who are sent to try to persuade him to give up, but fail?

Answer: Cominius and Menenius

Cominius was the general who had given Caius Martius his new name. Menenius was a Consul as well as a long standing family friend.

9. Caius Martius is persuaded to turn away from Rome by whom?

Answer: A family delegation

Volumnia, the mother who had persuaded Caius Martius to stand as Consul, his wife Virgilia and their son Martius, along with Valeria, a lady of Rome, do a much better job than the old warhorse and the politician. They come away with a peace treaty with the Volsci tribe.

10. Caius Martius is alive at the end of the play.

Answer: False

The Volsci of Atrium give Caius Martius Coriolanus a hero's welcome upon his return, but not everyone is happy. The Volsci general, who had never managed to beat Caius Martius in battle, took him up on the earlier offer and arranged for him to be stabbed to death during the celebrations.

Source: Author zippolover

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