"Shakespeare in Love" Quotations Quiz

Answer: Will Shakespeare

This quote is from the scene where Viola is being taken by Lord Wessex to be presented at court, and evaluated by the queen. It is delivered by Will, dressed as Willemina, Viola's "country cousin", who doesn't want her to leave him to be with Wessex. I laugh out loud every time I watch this scene! Joseph Fiennes is adorable as the suffering poet and playright!

Answer: John Webster

This quote is near the end of the film when the revealed Queen Elizabeth asks John Webster what he liked about the play. The real John Webster was an actual writer who came along after Shakespeare's time; he is notorious for his fascination with gory and macabre tales.

Here he is portrayed as a kid who is poor, but honest and without the benefit of hygiene, seeming to delight in and profit from others' misfortunes.

Answer: Mr. Henslowe

Mr. Henslowe is Shakespeare's friend and co-partner in the Rose Theater. In the movie, he's constantly suffering because of the wilful behaviour of William Shakespeare, as he creates the masterpiece of "Romeo and Juliet". This line recurs throughout the film and is proof that Mr.

Henslowe isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. Somehow he manages to skirt the issues and sail off clean every time! Geoffrey Rush is awesome in this role!

Answer: Queen Elizabeth

Dame Judi Dench won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role as Queen Elizabeth in this movie. She is one of my favorite characters. Here she is describing Viola to Lord Wessex at court. Wessex is astounded and angered. He believes Christopher Marlowe (whom William claimed to be when they met) is involved. Dame Judi delivers this line with such sarcasm and royal dignity that who could doubt she knows her subjects? She is a true classic!

Answer: Will Shakespeare

Will Shakespeare says this when a play he has written is performed for Queen Elizabeth, and there is a person coughing during the dramatic scenes. Little does he know that the love of his life decides to pursue a part in his new play as a result of seeing this production.

Answer: Viola De Lesseps

This is after the scene between Will and Viola after he realizes Thomas Kent is Viola, the love of his life. It follows the love scene, (Viola's "first try") which was so realistic...I get fluttery just thinking of it!

Answer: Ned Alleyn

This is such an funny and ironic scene. They're rehearsing the dance scenes and Viola (in drag) forgets to stay upstage. Ben Affleck's character delivers this line with the perfect arrogant tyranny of a seasoned actor working with lesser "men"! "Suffering Cats!"

Answer: Queen Elizabeth

In this scene the curtain call of the play is interrupted by Mr. Tilney. Queen Elizabeth, played only as Dame Judi Dench can, arises from her disguise, (the queen isn't supposed to lower herself to view such displays in public, when she could have the play acted for her at court) and puts him into his proper place!

Answer: Sir Robert De Lesseps

This is a scene between Sir Robert De Lesseps and Lord Wessex, discussing Viola as a potential bride. I can just see the way a girl would feel back then, being discussed as though she were livestock being sold at the auction block to the highest bidder. Colin Firth plays the role of Lord Wessex in his best stuffed-shirt manner...but alas...he will forever be Mr. Darcy to me! Sigh...

Answer: Viola De Lesseps

The lines spoken in this film are such reinforcements of the fine acting of all the stars therein, you can't help but fall in love with this story! This is where Viola is speaking to her nurse after attending a play at court. She's getting ready for bed, and the nurse thinks her a dreamer and a silly maiden girl for such thoughts. I went back and re-read several of Shakespeare's works with a picture of Joseph Fiennes' characterisation in my head...what a hoot!