"The Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eco Quiz

Answer: Gospel of John

The line says "In the beginning there was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God". Since the narrator and the hero are monks and the events take place in a monastery during the Middle Ages, it was an obvious choice for the beginning of the prologue. It expresses the narrator's deep and original faith to the Grace and Mercy of God.

Answer: William of Baskerville

The name itself is a clear reference to Sherlock Holmes, the fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Also, throughout the novel, William refers to observation and deduction, which are used as detective techniques by Holmes. Finally, the name "Baskerville" reminds us of the most famous of Holmes' adventures, "The Hound of the Baskervilles".

Answer: Adso of Melk

Adso is a novice and disciple of William of Baskerville. Adso follows William of Baskerville to the monastery where some of the monks have died under mysterious circumstances. They manage to unmask the killer. Years later, Adso, now an old man, acts as the narrator of the story.

Answer: Benedictine

The Order of Saint Benedict was founded by Saint Benedict of Nursia circa 529. Every Benedictine monastery, priory or abbey has autonomy. In 1883, the Benedictine Confederation was founded as a governing body for all Benedictine communities.
William is not Benedictine, however. He is a Franciscan.

Answer: Juana Ines de la Cruz

In fact, the title does not say anything about the plot or, at least, the genre of the novel. Eco desired to have a neutral title.
The poem says, in English translation:

"Red rose growing in the meadow,
you vaunt yourself bravely
bathed in crimson and carmine:
a rich and fragrant show.
But no: Being fair,
You will be unhappy soon."

Answer: Roger Bacon

Apart from expressing his admiration for Roger Bacon orally, William frequently wears pince-nez Bacon-style, regarding it as a revolutionary invention.

Answer: Bernard Gui

Bernard Gui was one of the members of the Inquisition. He was a Dominican monk. He served at the Toulouse district of France, contributing to the extermination of Catharists and other sects, considered as heretics by the Catholic Church. In the novel, he is called by the Abbot of the monastery to investigate the mysterious murders.

Answer: Second book of "Poetics"

The "Poetics" is a study by Aristotle, concerning literary theory. It is the oldest surviving work on the particular subject. Aristotle defines poetry and divides it in genres. The reference to the lost second book of the "Poetics" was responsible for the spreading of a rumor that the book has survived and is stored in the Library of the Vatican, in areas that are not accessible to the public.

Answer: Jorge of Burgos

Jorge was a blind librarian of old age. He planned and committed the murders in such manner, in order to refer to the Book of Revelation. Jorge had the belief that joy and laughter were against God and people advocating their importance in life should be punished.

Answer: Stat rosa pristina nomine, nomina nuda tenemus.

"Stat rosa pristina nomine, nomina nuda tenemus" translates to English as "The old Rose exists only as a name, we keep nude names".
"Est ubi Gloria nunc Babylonia?" translates to English as "Where is now the glory of Babylon?"
"Non in commotion, non in commotion Dominus" translates into English as "Not in the riot, not in the riot the Lord".
"Stupra virginum et amores mereticum" translates into English as "Obscentities of virgins and romances of prostitutes".