Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The titular character of Oscar Wilde's only novel, this dishy gent wishes for a painting of himself to absorb all the effects of his hedonism, so that he can preserve his gorgeous good looks forever. He gets his wish, but ultimately destroys the picture (and, in the process, himself) when it becomes too hideous for him to bear.
2. This dreamy knight is never shy of parading his martial skills. He falls for his king's queen, a lady by the name of Guinevere. The affair brings about the destruction of the court and Guinevere ultimately rejects him to live a life of penitence.
3. A Russian aristocrat who charms everyone with her grace and beauty, this woman is snubbed by society after she leaves her rather boring husband for a dashing younger man. She ends up throwing herself under a train in despair. Her name is also the title of the novel she features in.
4. Shakespeare created great characters, but one of my favorites is this hunky Italian from "Measure for Measure". He's very proud of his upright reputation and strict adherence to the law, though it eventually turns out he's a hypocrite with an eye for the ladies. At the very end he is forced to marry a woman he previously jilted, under pain of death.
5. One of Raymond Chandler's most popular works, "Farewell, My Lovely" has at its heart a dame to kill for. This woman is originally a nightclub performer, but changes her name and makes good use of her sexpot appeal - as well as murder - to end up married to a wealthy society type. Philip Marlowe eventually uncovers the whole story, leading this femme fatale to shoot two people to death before turning the gun on herself.
6. "The Red and the Black" is probably the most obscure of the novels featured in this quiz, but it's got a wickedly handsome, intellectual protagonist you can't help but desire. A classic of French literature, its main character is born into a poor family but uses his youthful good looks to work his way up the social ladder, eventually becoming attached to the daughter of a marquis. Everything falls apart when an old lover sabotages the impending nuptials, leading this character to shoot the former flame in a rage.
7. Though Edith Wharton's "House of Mirth" is not quite as famous as "The Age of Innocence", it does have at its core a dazzling, witty and arousing heroine, whose ultimate ambition is to marry a wealthy man. Through a combination of circumstances, she never quite manages to clinch the deal and ends up accidentally taking an overdose of sleeping draft and dying.
8. Helen Talboys is a blonde bombshell who fakes her death in order to ditch her first husband and marry a wealthy older man. To protect her secret, she pushes one man down a well and sets fire to an inn, but ultimately is discovered and sent to a mental asylum, where she dies. What is the formal name of this scheming beauty, which also forms part of the title of the Victorian novel by Mary Elizabeth Braddon in which she appears?
9. This Ancient Greek heartthrob set out on a quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece - an impossible task, were it not for the help of Medea, a local princess. Even though Medea betrayed her father and country to aid the hero's escape, he later tried to ditch her for a wealthier, younger princess. Suffice it to say, this six-pack-sporting stud died unhappy and alone.
10. We finish with the book that gives this quiz its name, "Vanity Fair". In this work by William Thackeray, which clever, manipulative, saucy minx is determined to land herself a man with money? She enchants many of the male characters, but near the conclusion of the novel is revealed to have become a destitute, alcoholic gambler.
Source: Author
tomleetang
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor
looney_tunes before going online.
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