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Shakespeare's Henry VIII Trivia Quiz

A quiz on one of Shakespeare's lesser known plays about a very well known historical figure.

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

Author
speara

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
305,192

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
292

Last 3 plays: Guest 108 (6/10), Guest 110 (4/10), Guest 147 (4/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. It is well known that Henry VIII had six wives. Who is Henry's wife at the beginning of the play? Hint

Katherine of Aragon

Katherine Howard

Anne Boleyn

Katherine Parr

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. When Anne Boleyn says she would "not be a queen for all the world" her old lady companion replies that "for little England you'd venture an emballing: I myself would for..." - for what? Hint

Pembrokeshire

Herefordshire

Monmouthshire

Carnarvonshire

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. During the play a song is sung that begins:
"Orpheus with his lute made trees".

True

False

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. King Henry is told that his daughter, the future Queen Elizabeth I, is "as like you as...." - as what? Hint

cherry is to cherry

pear is to pear

apple is to apple

strawberry is to strawberry

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. How many times does Anne of Cleves speak in the play? Hint

Three times

Once

Twice

Never

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. What is the name of Queen Katherine's serving woman? Hint

Faith

Charity

Patience

Hope

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. The play opens with the words: "I come no more to make you laugh...".

True

False

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. In what year does the play end? Hint

1534

1536

1535

1533

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. What is historically incorrect regarding the christening of Princess Elizabeth? Hint

The venue

Henry VIII 's absence

Henry VIII 's presence

Archbishop Cranmer's presence

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. 'Henry VIII' is one of Shakespeare's lesser known plays, but for what is it famous? Hint

Shakespeare's first play

Queen Elizabeth I's favourite Shakespeare play

Shakespeare's last play

The Globe Theatre caught fire during a performance

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 10 2024 : Guest 108: 6/10
Nov 07 2024 : Guest 110: 4/10
Oct 10 2024 : Guest 147: 4/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. It is well known that Henry VIII had six wives. Who is Henry's wife at the beginning of the play?

Answer: Katherine of Aragon

At the beginning of the play Henry is still married to his first wife. During the course of the play he divorces Katherine and marries Anne Boleyn. The play ends with Princess Elizabeth's (future Queen Elizabeth I's) christening. The King's third wife was Jane Seymour, his fourth was Anne of Cleves, his fifth was Katherine Howard, and his last was Katherine Parr. An easy way of remembering their fate is: divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.

2. When Anne Boleyn says she would "not be a queen for all the world" her old lady companion replies that "for little England you'd venture an emballing: I myself would for..." - for what?

Answer: Carnarvonshire

Emballing is a reference to the orb used during the Coronation ceremony. It also has a bawdy meaning.

3. During the play a song is sung that begins: "Orpheus with his lute made trees".

Answer: True

This song is sung to cheer up Queen Katherine whose "soul grows sad with troubles" (Act III: Scene I). The Tudors loved classical mythology.

4. King Henry is told that his daughter, the future Queen Elizabeth I, is "as like you as...." - as what?

Answer: cherry is to cherry

He is told this when given the news of Princess Elizabeth's birth.

5. How many times does Anne of Cleves speak in the play?

Answer: Never

The play ends before Henry met and married Anne of Cleves.

6. What is the name of Queen Katherine's serving woman?

Answer: Patience

She is a fictional (not historical) character.

7. The play opens with the words: "I come no more to make you laugh...".

Answer: True

These lines begin the Prologue. It was common in Elizabethan times for plays to have a Prologue and an Epilogue. These would set the scene and conclude the action. Very few of Shakespeare's plays have either a prologue or an epilogue but 'Henry VIII' has both. The lines were usually read by an actor also playing another part.

8. In what year does the play end?

Answer: 1533

It ends with the christening of Princess Elizabeth, which took place on 10 September 1533.

9. What is historically incorrect regarding the christening of Princess Elizabeth?

Answer: Henry VIII 's presence

Henry VIII did not personally attend his daughter's christening at Friars' Church, Greenwich.

10. 'Henry VIII' is one of Shakespeare's lesser known plays, but for what is it famous?

Answer: The Globe Theatre caught fire during a performance

This happened during a performance on 29 June 1613. A canon was shot for dramatic effect and the thatched roof caught fire. The Globe Theatre burnt to the ground. It was rebuilt the following year.

Source: Author speara

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