Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Inspired by the prophecies of a trio of witches, this Thane and his wife become embroiled in an ambitious plot to seize the throne by murdering the king and blaming his murder on his servants. Although plagued by the same guilt that drives his wife to an untimely death (through what we are led to believe was suicide even though it is never clearly stated), the new king continues to believe in his own invincibility, until the true interpretation of the prophecies is revealed. Which Shakespearean tragedy is this?
2. In this play within a play, Lucentio finds himself absolutely smitten with the lovely Bianca, and becomes determined to woo her. Unfortunately Bianca's father will not let anyone near her until her elder sister, Katherine, is married first. Given Katherine's temper and waspish tongue, this seems unlikely, until Petruchio arrives. Petruchio is determined to marry for money, and is willing to take Katherine on for that very reason. Which Shakespearean comedy is this?
3. Returning from war with the Queen of the Goths, Tamora, and her son as prisoners, this fictional Roman general finds himself named to succeed the recently deceased Emperor. He declines, choosing to support one of the Emperor's sons, and sacrifices Tamora's son to the memory of his many sons who had died in the war. When the Queen gains favour with the new Emperor, she vows revenge against the general, and his troubles begin in earnest. What incredibly gory tragedy is this?
4. Which historical play tells the tale of a younger, misshapen brother of a king who is determined to see the crown on his own head, no matter who he has to kill to put it there? He succeeds in disposing of one brother, which makes him Protector of the King's young sons when the King passes away. However he has the young princes confined to the Tower of London and later murdered, in order to be crowned king. He also kills a few dissenters, and even an ally or two along the way, until everyone fears and hates him.
5. After being shipwrecked and separated from her twin brother, who she believes to be drowned, Viola pretends to be a man named Cesario and acquires a job in the house of Duke Orsino. He is in love with Lady Olivia, who falls in love with Cesario, not realizing that he is really a she. Fortunately the twin brother, Sebastian, shows up and a happy ending is achieved for all, except for Olivia's steward Malvolio, who has had some horrid tricks played on him. Which farcical comedy is this?
6. Two young lovers from feuding families marry in secret. When her kinsmen kill one of his friends, he responds in anger and kills her kinsmen, which forces him to run from prosecution. She fakes death to avoid an arranged marriage, but he does not receive the message that it is fake and kills himself. When she awakens and finds him dead, she kills herself in earnest. What wonderfully tragic love story is this?
7. This aging King decides to give up his throne and split it between his three daughters, offering the largest piece to the daughter who convinces him that she loves him the most. His favourite daughter refuses to compete and cheapen her love for her father, so is disinherited. He soon learns the mistake he has made, as his two other daughters fight for control and he becomes mad with grief. The banished daughter (with the aid of her new husband) seeks to regain the kingdom for her father, and in true Shakespearean fashion, they all die. What tragedy is this?
8. Sorcerer Prospero, who was once the Duke of Milan, and his daughter have been stranded on a deserted island by Prospero's jealous brother. Twelve years later Prospero, aided by a sprite that he rescued on the island, causes the ship bearing his brother and the King to founder by the island. The plots and machinations that follow allow Prospero to exact his revenge, and have the King's son fall in love with his daughter. Which Shakespearean comedy is this?
9. When Bassanio seeks to woo Portia, he approaches his friend Antonio for a loan to cover his expenses. With all of his money tied up in his ships, Antonio suggests that Bassanio get the money from a moneylender, using his name as a guarantor. When Antonio's ships are lost and he cannot repay the debt, the moneylender activates a clause that he had instituted, which essentially gives him the right to kill Antonio. Disguised as a man, Portia finds the loophole that saves Antonio's life. Which Shakespearean comedy is this?
10. Charged by the ghost of his father to revenge his murder, this young Danish Prince set about finding proof that his uncle did indeed murder his father (and then marry his mother). He finds the proof that he needs but in doing so, alerts his uncle to the fact that he knows what happened. Between his morose introspection and conversations with the ghost of his father, who no one else can see, he is believed to be mad, and a plot is concocted to dispose of him. What is the name of this tragedy, wherein almost everyone dies?
Source: Author
skunkee
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MotherGoose before going online.
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