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Quiz about Gertrude and Claudius by John Updike

Gertrude and Claudius by John Updike Quiz

See how much you know about this masterfully written prequel to perhaps the greatest play ever written!

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

Author
BenjiSim

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
120,675

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
200

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which famous Shakespeare play does the action of "Gertrude and Claudius" precede?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 2 of 10

2. Updike divides his book into how many parts? Hint

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Question 3 of 10

3. From whose point of view is this book written?

Answer: (One Word, First Name Only)

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Question 4 of 10

4. In part one of "Gertrude and Claudius" the reader learns of Gerutha's jealousy of Rorik's courtiers. This implies that she has a Electra Complex. True or False?

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. Horvendil falls asleep on his wedding night before consumating his marriage to Gerutha. True or False?

True

False

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which animal does Gerutha frequently identify herself with? Hint

horse

wolf

bird

snake

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Question 7 of 10

7. What is the name of Horvendil's brother?

Answer: (One Word, First Name Only)

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which language does Horvendil's brother use to communicate with his servant? Hint

Italian

English

Danish

French

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Question 9 of 10

9. The poison used to kill the king comes from which famous city? Hint

Byzantium

London

Paris

Rome

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Question 10 of 10

10. Throughout the book the king's brother is associated with which animal? Hint

lion

bird

snake

wolf

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which famous Shakespeare play does the action of "Gertrude and Claudius" precede?

Answer: Hamlet

Updike sets an incredibly high standard for himself in presuming to write a prequel to Shakespeare's most widely read and praised play, Hamlet.

2. Updike divides his book into how many parts?

Answer: 3

The three parts of the book are unique in that each part adheres to a separate naming convention for the "dramatis personae."

3. From whose point of view is this book written?

Answer: Gertrude

Updike writes his book from the point of view of Hamlet's mother, scripting a version that is quite sympathetic to Gertrude.

4. In part one of "Gertrude and Claudius" the reader learns of Gerutha's jealousy of Rorik's courtiers. This implies that she has a Electra Complex. True or False?

Answer: True

Named after the sister of Orestes in Greek mythology, the Electra complex deals with a daughter's obsession with her father.

5. Horvendil falls asleep on his wedding night before consumating his marriage to Gerutha. True or False?

Answer: True

A rather funny incident in the book!

6. Which animal does Gerutha frequently identify herself with?

Answer: bird

She identifies with the theme of imprisonment of various birds throughout the novel.

7. What is the name of Horvendil's brother?

Answer: Feng

8. Which language does Horvendil's brother use to communicate with his servant?

Answer: Italian

It is indeed Italian. The servant to whom Fengon speaks Italian is the one who later betrays him.

9. The poison used to kill the king comes from which famous city?

Answer: Byzantium

Fengon receives the poison from a lady in Byzantium. "Just as the cross holds both the agony of death and the promise of eternal life, so the juice of hebona combines the essences of yew and henbane, with other ingredients inmical to the blood's humors.

Introduced in the mouth or ear, it produces an instant curdling, a violent brother to creeping leprosy. Death is quick, though terrible to behold, and certain."

10. Throughout the book the king's brother is associated with which animal?

Answer: snake

Fengon identifies with snakes because of his subtle use of poison and deception to accomplish his ends.

Source: Author BenjiSim

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