Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. In "Hamlet", the final scene shows us no less than *three* different "people in charge". Not all are technically crowned kings (at least not yet), but the power changes hands quite a few times! There is even a moment between the second and third person-in-charge where there is literally no king at all. Which of the characters is the last one in charge, heavily implied to be the future king of Denmark once an election can be held?
2. In "Richard III," there are a tense few scenes after the death of Edward IV and before the new king can be crowned. Who is the child king and former Prince of Wales, who never actually ends up getting to his coronation during the play?
3. In the opening scene of "King Lear", the title character gives up his lands but expects to keep his title and rule as King. Bad, bad idea, but more critically it leaves the land without a real king. Instead, he hands off his lands to his daughters and their husbands (well, two of his three daughters and their husbands). Which of these three pairs is NOT a pairing of a Lear daughter and her husband?
4. In "Macbeth", the murder of Duncan leaves the nation without a king for a period of time - and due to fear, Duncan's two sons flee before risking their own deaths by the murderer's hand. Who is Duncan's older son, and recently declared heir to the throne, whose fear keeps him from taking up his place as king until Act Five?
5. In "Titus Andronicus", the first scene opens with two ambitious brothers striving to see who will become Emperor after the death of their father. Okay, so it's not a "kingdom" per se, but still a state without a leader. As it turns out, the people select neither of the brothers, but rather a victorious general, who turns down the honor. Which of the following characters is *not* one of these three would-be candidates (brother 1, brother 2, or military leader)?
6. In "Measure for Measure", the Duke (okay, again not a king, but he is very much in charge) steps down for a while, leaving the state in the hands of a deputy. While the deputy has the powers of the Duke, he's clearly not a leader in the same mold, and he goes a little power-happy pretty quickly. Which of these characters is the absent Duke, who only returns to his position in Act Five?
7. In "Richard II", there is a scene where no one is 100% sure *who* exactly is king. A usurper brings in the king he's usurping to hand off the crown, and things get soaringly tense and immensely confusing. People start arguing about the right to even *do* this, about who really is king, about treason, and more. Who becomes king after this Act Four moment of intensity?
8. In ancient Rome, a leader turns down a crown three times, and before he can become king, he is murdered by those who fear his rapid ascent to power. This leaves the state in the hands of a triumvirate, but doesn't stop years of civil war from happening. Who is this legendary leader whose death precipitates such turmoil?
9. In "King John", an entire war goes on to see who should be king of England - who is the young child, son of Constance, who may have a stronger claim to the throne than King John himself?
10. Back to "Hamlet" for the final question - the backstory of Hamlet involves a war for the kingdoms of Scandinavia that led to a crisis of succession in Norway. Who were the kings of Norway and Denmark who fought each other (in single combat!) a generation ago?
Source: Author
merylfederman
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor
trident before going online.
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