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Quiz about Die Physiker The Physicists by Friedrich Drre

"Die Physiker (The Physicists)" by Friedrich Dürre Quiz

This quiz is on the play "Die Physiker" by Swiss author Friedrich Dürrenmatt.

A multiple-choice quiz by beee. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
beee

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
207,966

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
142

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. "Die Physiker" was written in 1961. What significant event occurred in Germany during this year? Hint

Reunification

West Germany was accepted into NATO

The founding of the German Democratic Republic

The building of the Berlin Wall

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Question 2 of 10

2. In which year was the play "Die Physiker" first performed? Hint

1961

1964

1963

1962

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Question 3 of 10

3. The scene of the action in "Die Physiker" is 'Les Cerisiers'. What is 'Les Cerisiers'? Hint

A sanatorium

A hotel

A school

A cottage

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Question 4 of 10

4. The curtain rises at the beginning of "Die Physiker" to reveal a murder scene. What is the occupation of the woman who has been murdered? Hint

Nurse

Waitress

Teacher

House Wife

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Question 5 of 10

5. "Die Physiker" is the story of three mentally ill physicists. Which of the three claims that King Solomon appears to him? Hint

None of them

Ernesti

Möbius

Beutler

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Question 6 of 10

6. In Act 2 of "Die Physiker" it emerges that none of the three physicists is actually insane, but which of the characters in the play is? Hint

Mathilde von Zahnd

Richard Voß

Monika Stetller

Adolf-Friedrich

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Question 7 of 10

7. In "Die Physiker" Johann Wilhelm Möbius has himself committed to an institution, although he is not mentally ill. Why does he do this? Hint

To get some peace

He is spying on one of the other patients

He is hiding from someone

To prevent the destruction of the world

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Question 8 of 10

8. What historical event can "Die Physiker" be interpreted as being representative of? Hint

The Cold War

The end of World War One

The bombing of Nagasaki

The Holocaust

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Question 9 of 10

9. All three of the physicists in "Die Physiker" are murderers.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. What does Möbius tell Eisler and Kilton he has done with his manuscripts? Hint

Sold them

Burnt them

Lost them

Given them away

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "Die Physiker" was written in 1961. What significant event occurred in Germany during this year?

Answer: The building of the Berlin Wall

The building of the Berlin Wall was begun on 13th August 1961.

The Eastern half of Germany became the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1949.

West Germany joined NATO on 5th May 1955.

The GDR ceased to exist on 3rd October 1990 when Germany reunified.

2. In which year was the play "Die Physiker" first performed?

Answer: 1962

Although "Die Physiker" was written in 1961, it's premiere was not until 1962. In 1963 it appeared on stage in London after being translated into English, then in 1963 it appeared on Broadway for the first time.

3. The scene of the action in "Die Physiker" is 'Les Cerisiers'. What is 'Les Cerisiers'?

Answer: A sanatorium

It is a private sanatorium for mental illness. 'Les Cerisiers' means 'The Cherry Trees'.

4. The curtain rises at the beginning of "Die Physiker" to reveal a murder scene. What is the occupation of the woman who has been murdered?

Answer: Nurse

The victim is 22 year old Irene Straub.

5. "Die Physiker" is the story of three mentally ill physicists. Which of the three claims that King Solomon appears to him?

Answer: Möbius

Ernesti believes himself to be Albert Einstein and Beutler thinks he is Sir Isaac Newton.

6. In Act 2 of "Die Physiker" it emerges that none of the three physicists is actually insane, but which of the characters in the play is?

Answer: Mathilde von Zahnd

Ironically, it is the owner and head doctor of the Sanatorium who turns out to be mentally ill.

7. In "Die Physiker" Johann Wilhelm Möbius has himself committed to an institution, although he is not mentally ill. Why does he do this?

Answer: To prevent the destruction of the world

Möbius has discovered something which, if it were to fall into the wrong hands, has the potential to destroy the world. By pretending to be insane he hopes to stop this from happening. Later he finds out that at least two people don't believe he is insane: the other two patients are not insane either, but are in fact spies, sent to 'Les Cerisers' to find out what he has discovered.

8. What historical event can "Die Physiker" be interpreted as being representative of?

Answer: The Cold War

Many believe that the characters of Eisler and Kilton in "Die Physiker" are representative of the two Cold War Superpowers, Russia and America, and that 'Les Cerisiers' represents Cold War Europe.

9. All three of the physicists in "Die Physiker" are murderers.

Answer: True

All three of them murder their nurse to avoid their true identities being discovered.

10. What does Möbius tell Eisler and Kilton he has done with his manuscripts?

Answer: Burnt them

Möbius chooses to burn his manuscripts to prevent them falling into the wrong hands, but unfortunately by this time Fräulein Mathilde von Zahnd has already photocopied them.

Source: Author beee

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