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Christopher Marlowe Trivia Quiz

Christopher Marlowe was quite a character: A short life, a great Elizabethan talent, a belief (by some) that he wrote Shakespeare's works - and a very curious death.

A multiple-choice quiz by robert362. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
robert362

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
92,415

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
435

Last 3 plays: Guest 37 (5/10), Guest 151 (6/10), Guest 93 (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which work is NOT by Marlowe? Hint

The Jew of Malta

Tamburlaine the Great

Dr. Faustus

Volpone

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Question 2 of 10

2. Marlowe also wrote poetry - including "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love". Who wrote a "response" to this poem? Hint

John Webster

William Shakespeare

Walter Raleigh

Ben Jonson

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which of the following is by Marlowe? Hint

Every Man In His Humour

Duchess of Malfi

Hero and Leander

Spanish Tragedy

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which is true of Marlowe? Hint

He was a child of wealth

He was illegitimate

He was an orphan

He came from a humble background

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Question 5 of 10

5. With what famous writer did Marlowe room? Hint

William Shakespeare

Ben Jonson

Thomas Kyd

John Webster

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Question 6 of 10

6. Marlowe was apparently substantially involved in "intelligence" type activities. Why would he likely do this? Hint

Money

All of these

Opportunity to gain access to prominent people of prestige and influence

Reckless and adventurous nature

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Question 7 of 10

7. Marlowe was in trouble at the time of his death: charges had been made against him and he was being investigated. What were these charges? Hint

Plotting to overthrow the government

Atheism and Heresy

Slander and libel

Public drunkenness

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Question 8 of 10

8. One of the people involved in Marlowe's death was also involved in "the Babington plot". Who was the target and intended victim of the plot? Hint

Mary, Queen of Scots

Queen Elizabeth

Lord Walsinham

Earl of Essex

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Question 9 of 10

9. How did Marlowe die? Hint

Stabbed in a fight

Drowned under questionable circumstances

Poisoned

Shot in a duel

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Question 10 of 10

10. What happened to the man who was charged with killing Marlowe? Hint

Imprisoned

Disappeared prior to any investigation

Exonerated due to self-defense

Executed

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Most Recent Scores

Oct 30 2024 : Guest 37: 5/10
Oct 28 2024 : Guest 151: 6/10
Oct 28 2024 : Guest 93: 10/10
Oct 28 2024 : Guest 151: 4/10
Oct 28 2024 : Guest 78: 4/10
Oct 28 2024 : Guest 5: 3/10
Oct 28 2024 : Guest 31: 6/10
Oct 28 2024 : Guest 78: 4/10
Oct 28 2024 : Guest 151: 5/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which work is NOT by Marlowe?

Answer: Volpone

"Volpone" is by Ben Jonson. The others are among Marlowe's best-known works.

2. Marlowe also wrote poetry - including "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love". Who wrote a "response" to this poem?

Answer: Walter Raleigh

Marlowe's poem - opening with the famous "Come live with me and be my love" - elicited a fine poetic response from Walter Raleigh.

3. Which of the following is by Marlowe?

Answer: Hero and Leander

"Malfi" is by Webster. "Spanish" is by Kyd. "Humour" is by Jonson.
"Hero" is one of Marlowe's best-known poems.

4. Which is true of Marlowe?

Answer: He came from a humble background

He was the son of a shoemaker. From humble origins, this Elizabethan talent rose to triumph - and disaster.

5. With what famous writer did Marlowe room?

Answer: Thomas Kyd

Therein hangs a tale. When the Inquisition came poking around (investigating heresy), poor Kyd ended up suffering a torture that left him a broken man. (Guilt by association?) He died shortly thereafter. Marlowe, however, was more fortunate. Why? Connections?

6. Marlowe was apparently substantially involved in "intelligence" type activities. Why would he likely do this?

Answer: All of these

Marlowe was no choir boy. By most accounts, he was a hell-raiser - his talents notwithstanding . It seems well-established that he was engaged in "espionage" activities for one of the powers at Court - as was also the case for at least some of those who were present when Marlowe died. (This may have been the only common denominator that Marlowe shared with those present when he died.)

7. Marlowe was in trouble at the time of his death: charges had been made against him and he was being investigated. What were these charges?

Answer: Atheism and Heresy

At that time, charges of atheism were made frequently - and didn't require a world of proof. Such charges could have deadly consequences. The Elizabethan world was filled with political intrigues and court struggles for favor and power.

8. One of the people involved in Marlowe's death was also involved in "the Babington plot". Who was the target and intended victim of the plot?

Answer: Queen Elizabeth

The plot involved nothing less than a plan to kill Elizabeth, rescue Mary, and bring about a Catholic invasion of England. It was poorly organized, however, and never came close to success. The perpetrators were "busted".

9. How did Marlowe die?

Answer: Stabbed in a fight

The death (in Deptford, near London, in 1593, at age 29) presents many unanswered questions. Marlowe was stabbed by a fellow named Ingram Frizer during a fight. The witnesses were Frizer's friends, Nicholas Skeres and Robert Poley. Frizer may have been a subordinate of Skeres: Skeres had ties to Essex (who was a strong political adversary of Raleigh's).

It did not occur in a bar (as is often stated), but at the private home of Eleanor Bull (where one could, however, buy food and drink - a not unusual practice of the day).

The timing of his death was "interesting" - Marlowe was in some trouble. Moreover, what was Marlowe doing with these shady characters?

10. What happened to the man who was charged with killing Marlowe?

Answer: Exonerated due to self-defense

An inquest was held and it was determined that Frizer had acted justifiably in self-defense. There was, therefore, no imprisonment or comparable punishment. Was it the truth - Marlowe had a temper and was known to mix it up a bit - or merely a political necessity for some of the powers of the day?

Source: Author robert362

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