Much Ado About NOThing Trivia Game | Literature

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Written between 1588 and 1593, "Titus Andronicus" tells the story of Titus, a General in the Roman army. Which character does NOT appear in this play?

Answer: Verges

"Titus Andronicus" is believed to be Shakespeare's first tragedy. Saturninus was the son of the late emperor of Rome. Lucius was a son of Titus Andronicus. Valentine was a kinsman of Titus.

2. "King John" is a history play about King John (the only) of England. Which of the following characters was NOT milling about the court of King John?

Answer: Margaret

"King John" was written in the mid 1590s, but was not published until 1623, seven years after Bill shuffled off his mortal coil.

Lord Bigot was just that, a lord. Constance was the mother to Arthur. Melun was a French lord.

3. "Troilus and Cressida" is a sometimes funny, sometimes tragic play set in the seventh year of the Trojan war. Who did NOT appear in this play?

Answer: Hero

"Troilus and Cressida" was written in 1602. Because of the confusing nature of the play it was not popular, and there are no recorded performances during Shakespeare's life or between 1734 and 1898.

Calchas was a Trojan priest. Alexander was one of Cressida's servants. Helen was the wife of Menelaus.

4. "King Lear" was written around 1605 and is one of Shakespeare's most popular plays. Which of the following characters was NOT involved in this play?

Answer: Friar Francis

"King Lear" is set in the 8th century B.C. but could have been inspired by a story that occured during Shakespeare's life in which the eldest daughter of Sir Brian Annelsley tried to have him declared insane so she could gain control of his wealth and property.

Curan was a courtier. Goneril was one of King Lear's daughters. Edgar was the son of the Earl of Gloucester.

5. "The Merchant of Venice", written between 1596 and 1598, although a comedy is remembered more for its dramatic scenes. Which of these Italian/Roman men was NOT in this play?

Answer: Claudio

The first and second recorded performances of "The Merchant of Venice" were within a few days of each other in 1605 in the court of King James and that was it for recorded performances for the rest of the 17th century.

Antonio was the merchant of Venice even though Shylock has a more prominent role. Bassanio was a friend of Antonio. Lorenzo was in love with Jessica who was Shylock's daughter.

6. Gaius Marcius Coriolanus is the inspiration for Shakespeare's "Coriolanus" written between 1605 and 1608. Which character is NOT in "Coriolanus"?

Answer: Ursula

Through the years the lead character has been portrayed by an eclectic group of actors including Laurence Olivier, Christopher Walkin and Morgan Freeman.

Virgilia is Coriolanus' wife and Volumnia is his mother. Tullus Aufidius is the General of the Volscians.

7. "The Two Noble Kinsmen" is based on "The Knight's Tale" from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Who is NOT portrayed in this Jacobean tragicomedy?

Answer: Benedick

A collaboration, who woulda thunk it. Between 1613 and 1614 William Shakespeare and John Fletcher co-authored "The Two Noble Kinsmen" which was not published until 1634.

Hippolyta is the queen of the Amazons. Palamon is one of the noble kinsmen from Thebes. Hymen is the god of marriage.

8. "The Tempest" is the story of a prince trying to get his daughter to her rightful position using any means possible. Written in 1610-11 it is believed to be the last solo effort by William Shakespeare. Who did he NOT create for this play?

Answer: Don Pedro

"The Tempest" is believed to be Shakespeare's last solo effort.

Caliban is a savage and deformed slave. Trinculo goes through life as a jester. Gonzalo is an honest old counsellor.

9. Coming in as the longest of Shakespeare's plays, "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" is the story of Hamlet's attempt to avenge the murder of his father at the hands of his uncle. Who is NOT to be in this tragedy?

Answer: Dogberry

Amleth, Horwendil, Gurutha and Feng are characters in Saxo Grammaticus' "Gesta Danorum" on which Hamlet (love those anagrams), Hamlet's father, Gertrude and King Claudius are based.

Claudius is the dastardly uncle who slays Hamlet's father. Fortinbras is the Prince of Norway. Horatio is the good buddy of Hamlet.

10. The comedy "Much Ado About Nothing" was written between 1598 and 1599. Who did NOT appear in this play?

Answer: Speed

In 2013 James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave (no spring chickens) portrayed Benedick and Beatrice at the Old Vic theatre.

Speed was a clownish servant to Valentine in "The Two Gentlemen of Verona". The other three and all the correct answers for the first nine questions appeared in "Much Ado About Nothing". Don Pedro is the Prince of Aragon, Don John is his bastard brother, Claudio is a lord of Florence, Benedick is a lord of Padua, Borachio and Conrade are followers of Don John, Friar Francis is, guess what, a Friar, Dogberry is a constable, Verges is a headborough, Hero is the daughter of Leonato (Governor of Messina), and Margaret and Ursula are gentlewomen waiting on Hero.

Source: Author ticky100

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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Much Ado About NOThing Trivia Quiz

One thing on my bucket list was to read all of William Shakespeare's works. I'm failing in my quest. I have, however, read enough of them to create this quiz. I will give you a play and you tell me which of the four choices is NOT in it.

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