10 Question Literature Quiz: Name That Play | Literature

Answer: Macbeth

Shakespeare's "Macbeth" -- often referred to as "The Scottish Play" to abide by the superstition of bringing about bad luck -- is one of his great tragedies. Scottish General Macbeth, motivated by omens from a trio of witches and the ambitious Lady Macbeth, killed his sovereign to take the throne, and kept killing to cover up his regicide.

The MacBeths should have heeded the warning of Proverb 15:27: "The greedy bring ruin to their households."

Answer: Six Degrees of Separation

"Six Degrees of Separation" premiered in 1990 with Stockard Channing as Mrs. Kittredge, a role she played for several years on stage and reprised in the film version in 1993. The story itself touches themes of parenting, privilege, acceptance, and duplicity, with the broader framework of the tighter-than-expected social network we live in.

Answer: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" is a scathing portrayal of a marriage. The 1962 original cast included Uta Hagen as Martha and Arthur Hill as George. The award-winning film version released in 1966 starred Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton as the couple.

Answer: Raisin in the Sun

"Raisin in the Sun" was named best play of 1959 that year by the New York Drama Critics' Circle. In addition to Sidney Poitier, original caster members included dramatic heavyweights Ruby Dee and Louis Gossett, Jr. It has been revived many times since, to great critical acclaim. Recent Broadway revivals have included Sean Combs, Denzel Washington, and Phylicia Rashad.

Answer: Amadeus

"Amadeus", written by Peter Schaffer, portrayed a largely fictional, one-sided rivalry between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, composer of "The Marriage of Figaro" and many other major musical works, and the less talented Antonio Salieri. Salieri was amazed at and jealous of Mozart's immense talent, and detested his crude habits.

Answer: Our Town

"Our Town" shows how traditions and love can ground us as time seems to fly by. Wilder's notes called for only the barest of props to be used in the play, so the character mime much of their daily routines, such as baking or doing homework.

Answer: M. Butterfly

The story of "M. Butterfly" begins with the main character, a Frenchman, traveling to Beijing and falling in love with a Chinese opera singer, who is a man masquerading as a woman. The original Broadway production won many awards in 1988, including three Tony Awards, one of which was for Best Play.

Answer: Noises Off

The play within the greater play of "Noises Off" was called "Nothing On". The play is about the making of "Nothing On", a period piece/comedy set in the 16th century, making for some interesting costumes that are sometimes on and sometimes off. The play has won many awards and critical accolades, though the 1992 film version was not as well-received, despite the all-star cast of Carol Burnett, Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, John Ritter, Nicollette Sheridan, and Marilu Henner.

Answer: True West

Sam Shepherd was already an established playwright when "True West" premiered in San Francisco in 1980. Four years later, "New York" magazine named him the greatest American playwright of his generation. He also earned acclaim and an Academic Award nomination for his portrayal of Colonel Chuck Yeager in the movie "The Right Stuff" (1983).

Answer: Glengarry, Glen Ross

The salesmen of the "Glengarry, Glen Ross" real estate office were difficult to watch as they back-stabbed, manipulated, stole from, and lied to each other. The epigraph for the play is "Always be closing," which, while not in the play itself, was added to the movie in a scene that has since become iconic.