The Immortal Words of the Bard of Avon Quiz

Answer: Hamlet

Hamlet says this to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in Act II, scene ii. Claudius has called on Hamlet's old friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to spy on Hamlet and discern the reason for his madness. When it is revealed that they have been summoned by the king, Hamlet speaks of the evilness in mankind. In describing men, Hamlet's speech starts, "What a piece of work is man!"

Answer: The Merchant of Venice

Shylock the Jew says this in Act III, scene i of "The Merchant of Venice". With this Shylock speaks out against anti-semitism. He feels that Antonio has disgraced him, hindered his business, laughed at his losses, mocked his profits, undercut his bargains, turned his friends against him, and incited the anger of his enemies. Shylock says that Jews are human beings too, with feelings like everyone else.

Answer: King Lear

The jester speaks this line in Act II, scene vi of "King Lear". In King Lear, his jester has been delivering stinging lines that get to the bottom of the truth, the most obvious being how King Lear gave away his kingdom to ungrateful daughters who have now demeaned and humiliated him. Lear has run out into a raging storm, wandering wildly and naked on the heath, sinking into madness over the ingratitude of his children. He is pulled at last into a farmhouse where his fool, the only person allowed to be frank with King Lear, continues to chide him about his character.

Answer: Much Ado About Nothing

This comes from Act III, scene i of "Much Ado About Nothing". Hero and her attendant Ursula have plotted to have Beatrice overhear their staged conversation in the orchard, where they will trick Beatrice into believing Benedict loves her. In an earlier scene, Benedict was tricked by his friends into believing Beatrice is in love with him. Of course the irony is that Beatrice and Benedict are indeed in love with each other, but haven't realized it as yet.

They engage in witty dialogue and clever insults throughout most of this romantic comedy, and turn out to be perfectly suited.

But as they both claim to hate the state of matrimony, and vow never to fall in love, their friends must arrange some traps in which to snare these two lovers. The ruse works perfectly.

Answer: Twelfth Night

Once again the jester speaks wisdom. These lines come from Act II, scene iii of "Twelfth Night". Feste, the jester (or Fool) who sings the lines above, prophetically echoes the mood of the play. Earlier we learned that twin siblings, Sebastian and Viola, were separated when their ship was wrecked in a storm at sea.

They both end up on the island of Illyria, independently, where each of them finds true love, with Olivia and Orsino respectively. The song by Feste the jester, while applying to both sets of lovers, is more directed toward his mistress, Olivia: "O mistress mine, where are you roaming? O, stay and hear; your true love's coming."

Answer: All's Well That Ends Well

Helena says these words to the king in Act II, scene i of "All's Well That Ends Well". In this scene, Helena has followed Bertram, her object of desire, to the king's court in Paris. The king is suffering from a terminal illness, but Helena (whose recently-deceased father was a court physician) claims to have a cure, and seeks to treat him.

The king has doubts, of course- the thought of a woman being a doctor and suggesting a cure was unheard of at this time. But Helena prevails through the skillful use of rhetoric, and the remark quoted here finally convinces the king to allow her to treat his illness, which she does, successfully.

Answer: King Henry V

Henry V's St. Crispin's speech in Act IV, scene iii of "King Henry V". At this moment, Henry V exhorts his men to stand up and fight. He says that any man who fights with him shall be his brother. "Be he never so vile, this day will gentle his conditions."

Answer: Othello

The fiend Iago says this in Act II, scene iii of "Othello". Roderigo enters and complains that he has spent much money and has still gained no advantage with Desdemona. Iago tells him of the dismissal of Cassio and assures Roderigo that he is certain to have Desdemona in the near future. Iago pretends to console Roderigo in his attempt to win the love of Desdemona.

Answer: Measure for Measure

These words are spoken in Act II, scene i of "Measure for Measure". Escalus laments the injustice of the world which condemns men for minute faults.

Answer: Coriolanus

This quote comes from Act II, scene i of "Coriolanus". Scinius says this to Menenius and Brutus. Menenius tells the tribunes that a
fortuneteller has predicted that significant news of the Roman
army will come tonight. But the news will not be in accord with
the wishes of the people since they hate Marcius. Sicinius adopts a
hostile tone and replies that Nature herself teaches beasts to know
their friends. Menenius denounces the plebeians as wolves who
would devour the noble Marcius.